[Milly]

Hi everyone  
I found this site by accident whilst researching creosote substite and am glad I did because it looks very interesting. As I am new, just to intorduce myself - I live in the south of yorkshire and until a few years ago I lived somewhere that I had composters, a veggie patch, chickens, goats and horses. I moved to my present property 3 years ago and am just starting gardening again, this time with on a much smaller scale due to practicalities. My father in law made me a lovely deep wooden 'coffin' shaped box and it was my intention to grow carrots and spring onions. He advised me to weather proof it with creosote. I found out this is no longer available and bought a creosote substitute from travis perkins and gave it several coats. I am now worried as I have read about the toxicity of creosote and the dangers related to it and am not sure if the substitute is the same, can anyone advise me please?
If the substitute is dangerous to veggies is there anything I can put over it to make it safe? :cry:

[DD.]

Hi Milly,

Firstly welcome. Creosote was taken off the market as it was allegedly carcinogenic, apart from not being good for plant life.

Some substitutes are also dangerous to plant life, depends what it says on the container. I think they only tend to own up if it's safe for plant life!

As for sealing it in - I don't know on that score, but I'm sure someone will.

[richyrich7]

Hi Milly welcome to the forums  

 could you line it with plastic ? & punch a few holes in the bottom of it.

[Milly]

I have thought of lining it with plastic but am not sure if it's safe for the veggies. Really gutted as was looking forward to growing again but I am scared of using it now.

[growmore]

Line with a decent quality plastic/polythene with drain holes in the bottom and you should be OK. Some creosote substitutes are less bad than others but as others have said they are not going to broadcast whether they are the better ones or not. A decent polythene should keep it at bay and after a couple of seasons the worst of the bad should have settled down.

[Milly]

Just to be on the safe side I contacted the company that make the creosote substitute. They assurred me that although dangerous to animals and plants when wet, once dry it is harmless. They suggest 48 hours to dry. What a relief  

[simond9383]

Just to warn you, I used this on my shed and whilst it may or may not be safe, the smell lingers on you and your clothes for days.  Even washing the clothes still leaves a residual smell! Certainly make sure you wear waterproof gloves!