[wrus100]

I have been given quite a lot of untreated timber which I want to use to make a number of raised beds, cloches etc. Can anybody tell me what I should do to stop the wood rotting once it makes contact with the ground. I have some fence and shed type protection but it actually says on the tin that it is not suitable for my purpose. Any advice very much appreciated.

[Trillium]

I had the same situation. If possible, purchase treated 2x4's for the base and then set the rest of the wood on top. I first primed my untreated wood with oil based primer and did 2 oil based finish coats and the wood is holding up nicely. You could also simply line the inside edge with heavy duty poly sheeting and let the soil hold it in place and paint only the outside.