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Project Team: School Gardens

Square Foot Garden Kit for Elementary Teachers

2/26/2013

6 Comments

 
Here's what Mary Duchi suggests to be included in the "kit" we give to elementary teachers who attend the proposed training. Please take a look at it and provide comments for any changes/additions, etc. 

Square Foot Gardens (4x4)

 Lumber

Each garden requires four boards, 2 inches wide x 4 ft long x 11 3/8 inches high.  We could double the height if teachers wanted to grow root crops (e.g., potatoes, sweet potatoes)

Other Requirements to Construct the Squares

·       Nails

·       Corner pieces if we can afford them or they can be nailed together

·       Weed cloth for the bottom

·       Wood lath to place across the top and denote each “square foot”

Soil

16 cubic feet of soil for each box (book recommends 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 blended compost).  I recommend buying good premix potting soil.

  

Tools and Equipment

·       Trowel:  $4.27 x 25 = $106.75

·       Pail

·       Pencil

·       Plant tags (8 cents each or less)

Reference Book

All New Square Foot Gardening, Bartholomew  $14.28 on Amazon

Seeds

 Kits that include seeds and plants (e.g., herb garden kit, flower garden kit, international garden, greens garden, spaghetti dinner garden – and on and on).

If we have 16 squares in each bed, and 25 beds, that means we have 400 squares.  

Garden Plan and Instructions

·       Plans for different types of gardens

·       Instructions on planting seeds

·       A few recipes for each garden type

Curriculum Guides

6 Comments
Ryan Walton link
2/26/2013 01:22:24 am

I think that this is a great idea! Looking at the construction, we would want to add decking screws or coated twist nails ($10), 4"x4" inner post or corner slats to help stabilize the corners ($8), and if we were to use two 2"x12"x8' ($25)- pressure treated & arsenic free. Other options include cedar, composite board, recycled plastic, high density polycarbonate, etc.. Additional costs would also include gravel, pavers, or mulch in between all of the beds to help keep students from muddying up the paths in between the beds & to ease mowing for the grounds crew. Painting the wood also preserves it from the elements and gives an art class a chance to be a part of the legacy creation.

Reply
Ryan Walton link
3/11/2013 11:08:48 pm

Treated Lumber Safe for Environment/ Children Article:

Below is the shortened article, please feel free to check out additional websites below including Oregon State's research facility. Lumber has been arsenic free since 2005 (EPA law passed in 2002). http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/966

Pressure-treated lumber has been available for about 60 years. Most original formulas centered around arsenic as the main preservative, to help lumber withstand the extremes of outdoor use. As one might expect, the use of a potentially-poisonous substance like arsenic was cause for considerable concern, particularly when children are exposed to such installations.

To address the [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/dealingwithproblems/qt/ACQMoisture.htm ]pressure treated wood safety concerns, in 2002, the United States' Environmental Protection Agency convinced lumber manufacturers to find a non-arsenic based formula for treated. The result is ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quartenary) treated lumber.
The new ACQ treated lumber contains a very high level of copper to replace the arsenic. While this reduces the desired risk of poisoning, it does present a different, but very dangerous problem: increased levels of corrosion.

The problem stems from copper's very high levels of conductivity. Simply put, ACQ-treated lumber is extremely corrosive to metal fasteners such as nails, [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/joinery/p/woodScrews.htm ]screws, deck hangers, etc. This problem has been complicit in a number of deck collapses in recent years, the worst of which occurred in Kentucky in 2003, where 13 people died and another 57 were injured.
Is There a Solution?:
This increased level of corrosion should make the woodworker think more about the fasteners that they use on treated-lumber woodworking projects. Just any wood screw or nail will not do; instead, look for fasteners that are specifically designed for use with ACQ-treated materials.

What types of fasteners are acceptable for use in this type of treated lumber?
Stainless Steel or Copper:
Both stainless steel and copper fasteners are virtually immune to corrosion. However, unless you've got a sizable trust fund or have decided to trade in a car to finance your woodworking project, they aren't really practical.
Galvanized Fasteners:
Can you use galvanized nails and [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/joinery/qt/ScrewLength.htm ]screws on the new ACQ-treated lumber? Yes and no. Plain old galvanized fasteners simply aren't designed for the increased level of corrosion, and could fail in a very short period of time.

However, many fastener manufacturers now offer "hot-dipped galvanized" screws, nails, hangers and brackets under a variety of brand names. The key is to look on the package for a "G-185" designation (which refers to the thickness of the galvanization).

Reply
Ryan B. Walton
3/11/2013 11:07:20 pm

Treated Lumber Safe for Environment/ Children Article:

Below is the shortened article, please feel free to check out additional websites below including Oregon State's research facility. Lumber has been arsenic free since 2005 (EPA law passed in 2002). http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/966

Pressure-treated lumber has been available for about 60 years. Most original formulas centered around arsenic as the main preservative, to help lumber withstand the extremes of outdoor use. As one might expect, the use of a potentially-poisonous substance like arsenic was cause for considerable concern, particularly when children are exposed to such installations.

To address the [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/dealingwithproblems/qt/ACQMoisture.htm ]pressure treated wood safety concerns, in 2002, the United States' Environmental Protection Agency convinced lumber manufacturers to find a non-arsenic based formula for treated. The result is ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quartenary) treated lumber.
The new ACQ treated lumber contains a very high level of copper to replace the arsenic. While this reduces the desired risk of poisoning, it does present a different, but very dangerous problem: increased levels of corrosion.

The problem stems from copper's very high levels of conductivity. Simply put, ACQ-treated lumber is extremely corrosive to metal fasteners such as nails, [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/joinery/p/woodScrews.htm ]screws, deck hangers, etc. This problem has been complicit in a number of deck collapses in recent years, the worst of which occurred in Kentucky in 2003, where 13 people died and another 57 were injured.
Is There a Solution?:
This increased level of corrosion should make the woodworker think more about the fasteners that they use on treated-lumber woodworking projects. Just any wood screw or nail will not do; instead, look for fasteners that are specifically designed for use with ACQ-treated materials.

What types of fasteners are acceptable for use in this type of treated lumber?
Stainless Steel or Copper:
Both stainless steel and copper fasteners are virtually immune to corrosion. However, unless you've got a sizable trust fund or have decided to trade in a car to finance your woodworking project, they aren't really practical.
Galvanized Fasteners:
Can you use galvanized nails and [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/joinery/qt/ScrewLength.htm ]screws on the new ACQ-treated lumber? Yes and no. Plain old galvanized fasteners simply aren't designed for the increased level of corrosion, and could fail in a very short period of time.

However, many fastener manufacturers now offer "hot-dipped galvanized" screws, nails, hangers and brackets under a variety of brand names. The key is to look on the package for a "G-185" designation (which refers to the thickness of the galvanization). Anything less than a G-185 level is inappropriate for ACQ lumber.
Other Acceptable Fasteners:
Some manufacturers also offer deck screws (and other connectors) that have a non-galvanized coating that appears to be [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/finishing/qt/OutdoorPaint.htm ]painted onto the fastener. These typically have a dark green or brown color, and the package is clearly marked for use on ACQ treated stock. The deck screws that I prefer to use offers a lifetime guarantee that the fastener will not corrode when used with ACQ lumber. These are readily available at most home improvement centers. (They often include a special square-head Phillips bit for designed for use with these screws.)
When your treated lumber woodworking plans call for a deck hanger or other type of lumber bracket, beware of aluminum hangers. These are extremely prone to corrosion, and should be avoided for use with ACQ stock. Instead, look for G-185 rated brackets, and consider adding a protective barrier between the bracket and the lumber. A plastic or tar-based type of barrier would be perfectly acceptable.

Reply
Ryan B. Walton link
3/11/2013 11:07:33 pm

Treated Lumber Safe for Environment/ Children Article:

Below is the shortened article, please feel free to check out additional websites below including Oregon State's research facility. Lumber has been arsenic free since 2005 (EPA law passed in 2002). http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/966

Pressure-treated lumber has been available for about 60 years. Most original formulas centered around arsenic as the main preservative, to help lumber withstand the extremes of outdoor use. As one might expect, the use of a potentially-poisonous substance like arsenic was cause for considerable concern, particularly when children are exposed to such installations.

To address the [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/dealingwithproblems/qt/ACQMoisture.htm ]pressure treated wood safety concerns, in 2002, the United States' Environmental Protection Agency convinced lumber manufacturers to find a non-arsenic based formula for treated. The result is ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quartenary) treated lumber.
The new ACQ treated lumber contains a very high level of copper to replace the arsenic. While this reduces the desired risk of poisoning, it does present a different, but very dangerous problem: increased levels of corrosion.

The problem stems from copper's very high levels of conductivity. Simply put, ACQ-treated lumber is extremely corrosive to metal fasteners such as nails, [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/joinery/p/woodScrews.htm ]screws, deck hangers, etc. This problem has been complicit in a number of deck collapses in recent years, the worst of which occurred in Kentucky in 2003, where 13 people died and another 57 were injured.
Is There a Solution?:
This increased level of corrosion should make the woodworker think more about the fasteners that they use on treated-lumber woodworking projects. Just any wood screw or nail will not do; instead, look for fasteners that are specifically designed for use with ACQ-treated materials.

What types of fasteners are acceptable for use in this type of treated lumber?
Stainless Steel or Copper:
Both stainless steel and copper fasteners are virtually immune to corrosion. However, unless you've got a sizable trust fund or have decided to trade in a car to finance your woodworking project, they aren't really practical.
Galvanized Fasteners:
Can you use galvanized nails and [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/joinery/qt/ScrewLength.htm ]screws on the new ACQ-treated lumber? Yes and no. Plain old galvanized fasteners simply aren't designed for the increased level of corrosion, and could fail in a very short period of time.

However, many fastener manufacturers now offer "hot-dipped galvanized" screws, nails, hangers and brackets under a variety of brand names. The key is to look on the package for a "G-185" designation (which refers to the thickness of the galvanization). Anything less than a G-185 level is inappropriate for ACQ lumber.
Other Acceptable Fasteners:
Some manufacturers also offer deck screws (and other connectors) that have a non-galvanized coating that appears to be [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/finishing/qt/OutdoorPaint.htm ]painted onto the fastener. These typically have a dark green or brown color, and the package is clearly marked for use on ACQ treated stock. The deck screws that I prefer to use offers a lifetime guarantee that the fastener will not corrode when used with ACQ lumber. These are readily available at most home improvement centers. (They often include a special square-head Phillips bit for designed for use with these screws.)
When your treated lumber woodworking plans call for a deck hanger or other type of lumber bracket, beware of aluminum hangers. These are extremely prone to corrosion, and should be avoided for use with ACQ stock. Instead, look for G-185 rated brackets, and consider adding a protective barrier between the bracket and the lumber. A plastic or tar-based type of barrier would be perfectly acceptable.

Reply
Ryan B. Walton link
3/11/2013 11:08:01 pm

Treated Lumber Safe for Environment/ Children Article:

Below is the shortened article, please feel free to check out additional websites below including Oregon State's research facility. Lumber has been arsenic free since 2005 (EPA law passed in 2002). http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/966

Pressure-treated lumber has been available for about 60 years. Most original formulas centered around arsenic as the main preservative, to help lumber withstand the extremes of outdoor use. As one might expect, the use of a potentially-poisonous substance like arsenic was cause for considerable concern, particularly when children are exposed to such installations.

To address the [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/dealingwithproblems/qt/ACQMoisture.htm ]pressure treated wood safety concerns, in 2002, the United States' Environmental Protection Agency convinced lumber manufacturers to find a non-arsenic based formula for treated. The result is ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quartenary) treated lumber.
The new ACQ treated lumber contains a very high level of copper to replace the arsenic. While this reduces the desired risk of poisoning, it does present a different, but very dangerous problem: increased levels of corrosion.

The problem stems from copper's very high levels of conductivity. Simply put, ACQ-treated lumber is extremely corrosive to metal fasteners such as nails, [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/joinery/p/woodScrews.htm ]screws, deck hangers, etc. This problem has been complicit in a number of deck collapses in recent years, the worst of which occurred in Kentucky in 2003, where 13 people died and another 57 were injured.
Is There a Solution?:
This increased level of corrosion should make the woodworker think more about the fasteners that they use on treated-lumber woodworking projects. Just any wood screw or nail will not do; instead, look for fasteners that are specifically designed for use with ACQ-treated materials.

What types of fasteners are acceptable for use in this type of treated lumber?
Stainless Steel or Copper:
Both stainless steel and copper fasteners are virtually immune to corrosion. However, unless you've got a sizable trust fund or have decided to trade in a car to finance your woodworking project, they aren't really practical.
Galvanized Fasteners:
Can you use galvanized nails and [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/joinery/qt/ScrewLength.htm ]screws on the new ACQ-treated lumber? Yes and no. Plain old galvanized fasteners simply aren't designed for the increased level of corrosion, and could fail in a very short period of time.

However, many fastener manufacturers now offer "hot-dipped galvanized" screws, nails, hangers and brackets under a variety of brand names. The key is to look on the package for a "G-185" designation (which refers to the thickness of the galvanization).

Reply
Ryan Walton link
3/11/2013 11:08:25 pm

Treated Lumber Safe for Environment/ Children Article:

Below is the shortened article, please feel free to check out additional websites below including Oregon State's research facility. Lumber has been arsenic free since 2005 (EPA law passed in 2002). http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/966

Pressure-treated lumber has been available for about 60 years. Most original formulas centered around arsenic as the main preservative, to help lumber withstand the extremes of outdoor use. As one might expect, the use of a potentially-poisonous substance like arsenic was cause for considerable concern, particularly when children are exposed to such installations.

To address the [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/dealingwithproblems/qt/ACQMoisture.htm ]pressure treated wood safety concerns, in 2002, the United States' Environmental Protection Agency convinced lumber manufacturers to find a non-arsenic based formula for treated. The result is ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quartenary) treated lumber.
The new ACQ treated lumber contains a very high level of copper to replace the arsenic. While this reduces the desired risk of poisoning, it does present a different, but very dangerous problem: increased levels of corrosion.

The problem stems from copper's very high levels of conductivity. Simply put, ACQ-treated lumber is extremely corrosive to metal fasteners such as nails, [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/joinery/p/woodScrews.htm ]screws, deck hangers, etc. This problem has been complicit in a number of deck collapses in recent years, the worst of which occurred in Kentucky in 2003, where 13 people died and another 57 were injured.
Is There a Solution?:
This increased level of corrosion should make the woodworker think more about the fasteners that they use on treated-lumber woodworking projects. Just any wood screw or nail will not do; instead, look for fasteners that are specifically designed for use with ACQ-treated materials.

What types of fasteners are acceptable for use in this type of treated lumber?
Stainless Steel or Copper:
Both stainless steel and copper fasteners are virtually immune to corrosion. However, unless you've got a sizable trust fund or have decided to trade in a car to finance your woodworking project, they aren't really practical.
Galvanized Fasteners:
Can you use galvanized nails and [ http://woodworking.about.com/od/joinery/qt/ScrewLength.htm ]screws on the new ACQ-treated lumber? Yes and no. Plain old galvanized fasteners simply aren't designed for the increased level of corrosion, and could fail in a very short period of time.

However, many fastener manufacturers now offer "hot-dipped galvanized" screws, nails, hangers and brackets under a variety of brand names. The key is to look on the package for a "G-185" designation (which refers to the thickness of the galvanization).

Reply



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