Hey everyone! I recently built a garden box and started looking into the safety of the wood stain and sealer I used. I've read that high VOC (volatile organic compounds) levels are concerning, and my stain and sealer have a VOC content greater than 550. Is it safe to grow potatoes in this garden box, or would it be wiser to move them to a different one? Also, what's considered a safe VOC level for wood stains when it comes to outdoor gardening?
2 Answers
Just a heads-up, the whole VOC thing is more about off-gassing than anything leaching into the soil. Still, it’s wise to proceed with caution and do your research!
I don’t have exact numbers, but I’ve looked into how dangerous treated wood can be for growing food. Since potatoes are tubers, they might absorb VOCs from the stain. Just to be safe, I’d recommend checking the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for your stain to see if those VOCs are still released after drying. Also, you might want to look into whether these compounds can actually get absorbed by vegetables.
Just for your info, nowadays treated wood uses copper for treatment. A study from Oregon State showed no issues with copper, unlike the older arsenic treatments which should be avoided.
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check the SDS and maybe reach out to some local gardening experts.