Protecting untreated garden boxes

[satterfield.ben]

This spring I am building six garden boxes out of some left over 2x10's (untreated) that I had. I briefly google'd around and found SoyGuard, a wood protection for two years that would set me back twenty bucks a gallon. I was just curious if anyone out there has treated some wood with stuff that won't kill me. Thanks in advance for the responses.

[Newt]

Hi Ben,

I haven't used it and didn't find much about it's use by others in my short search. I did find the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
http://dev.biopreserve.com/products/Soy ... erMSDS.pdf

From this site near the bottom of the page under 'Water-based Deck Finish':
http://www.dld123.com/q&a/index.php?date=2005-09

SoyGuard® Premium Water Repellant & Wood Sealer is mostly natural, but contains 19% recycled polystyrene. SoySeal Wood Sealer & Waterproofer is a natural soy based sealer for all wood, decks and docks. It provides a 24-month seal that spreads water and doesn't bead. It contains no V.O.C's, is non-toxic, non-flammable, and biodegradable.

At another site it mentions that Iowa State University Extension tested it and said it was safe. A search of Iowa State Univ Extension didn't turn up anything on it. When I searched the entire Univ site I found SoyGurad as a combo of two products used to treat seeds to prevent fungal problems.

Hope someone else can give you more info.
Newt

[lefty317]

one of my favorite sealers for wood is still good old shellac. it is alchohol based, dries in 30 minutes, and is impervious to water. once dried, it will not leach into the soil. just don't spill a martini on it....

chris