Place to buy affordable Cedar or Juniper planks for raised garden? (Seattle: Home Depot, buying)

[shaxs]

I am trying to find a place around Renton/Seattle that sells cedar or juniper planks. Im looking for 2x6x8 planks. Unfortunately the big box stores and Dunn lumber are pretty expensive for this plank making the raised beds I want to make costly. Does anyone know of a better place to find cedar or juniper?

[mkarch]

I bought mine from Mill Outlet Lumber in Tacoma. If you're buying a bunch of it and have a truck to haul it, it's the way to go. Mill Outlet Lumber

There are other public wholesalers around the area as well, but I found this yard to be good to buy from. They have a large selection of grades, good inventory and aren't exclusively catering to contractors. Prices are FAR lower than the big box stores or specialty lumber stores in Seattle.

One other tip, buy red cedar. The yellow cedar is far less rot resistant. You aren't going to find discount priced juniper up here, this is cedar country.

[shaxs]

Originally Posted by mkarch

I bought mine from Mill Outlet Lumber in Tacoma. If you're buying a bunch of it and have a truck to haul it, it's the way to go. Mill Outlet Lumber

There are other public wholesalers around the area as well, but I found this yard to be good to buy from. They have a large selection of grades, good inventory and aren't exclusively catering to contractors. Prices are FAR lower than the big box stores or specialty lumber stores in Seattle.

One other tip, buy red cedar. The yellow cedar is far less rot resistant. You aren't going to find discount priced juniper up here, this is cedar country.

Thanks! Good prices and will make this a lot easier. Seems to be, though, that yellow cedar was more readily available for my application. Yellow Cedar should still last a long time right?

[Hemlock140]

Western Redcedar (all one word) is Thuja Plicata which is actually Cypress, not cedar, and more related to Juniper. It's the most common "cedar" used for outdoor durable lumber. Yellow cedar, also in the cypress family, is not a true cedar either. Atlas, Deodar, and Cedar of Lebanon are real cedars, but are used mostly for furniture because the trees do not get big enough for dimensional lumber. The aromatic cedar used in chests and closet floors is eastern redcedar,
juniperus virginiana. It's not as durable outdoors as our native western redcedar, but is more aromatic.

[shaxs]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Western Redcedar (all one word) is Thuja Plicata which is actually Cypress, not cedar, and more related to Juniper. It's the most common "cedar" used for outdoor durable lumber. Yellow cedar, also in the cypress family, is not a true cedar either. Atlas, Deodar, and Cedar of Lebanon are real cedars, but are used mostly for furniture because the trees do not get big enough for dimensional lumber. The aromatic cedar used in chests and closet floors is eastern redcedar,
juniperus virginiana. It's not as durable outdoors as our native western redcedar, but is more aromatic.

Thanks for the education. Do you think Yellow cedar will last 10 years?

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by shaxs

Thanks for the education. Do you think Yellow cedar will last 10 years?

Yes, at least. It may show some signs of rot where in contact with the soil on the bottom by then but they use it for boats and decks, it's very durable. One thing to remember if you car about appearance is to use stainless nails or screws. The tannins in the wood react to untreated steel and cause unsightly black streaks down from the nails on the wood.

[shaxs]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Yes, at least. It may show some signs of rot where in contact with the soil on the bottom by then but they use it for boats and decks, it's very durable. One thing to remember if you car about appearance is to use stainless nails or screws. The tannins in the wood react to untreated steel and cause unsightly black streaks down from the nails on the wood.

I was thinking about stainless steel, but I think I am going to go with deck screws instead. I believe those are designed to last a long time as well given the nature of what they are used in.

[leastprime]

Direct soil contact:
We use, Used RR ties. 35+ years.
Cedar will work but eventually it will rot, <15 yrs.
Pine/fir will last <3-5 yrs untreated. Treated ~5-7 years.

[shaxs]

Im hesitant to use anything treated. I think Ill go with untreated cedar.

What about for soil? What do y'all recommend for a good all around soil for vegetables?

[leastprime]

Originally Posted by shaxs

Im hesitant to use anything treated. I think Ill go with untreated cedar.

What about for soil? What do y'all recommend for a good all around soil for vegetables?

Not dead yet.
Soil: Composed yard debris, fine sand, and clay. About a third each. Idealized soil.

Home Depot. Lowe's.