Types of Wood Garden Boxes

Teak

• Teak is an attractive honey color and is highly resistant to rot and decay. For this reason, it is one of the most popular materials for garden boxes. The wood will last for 50 years and will continue to look beautiful year after year. The wood itself produces oils that help to protect it from the elements and will continue to look great even when left outdoors year round. Teak is harvested primarily from southern Asia and only one variety of teak is not endangered, making it slightly less common than cedar and other woods.

  Maintain your teak garden box by applying a coat of teak oil every six months. This will preserve the moisture in the wood. When left untreated, teak will age to a silvery grey color. This aged color is popular with many homeowners and requires no maintenance at all.

Cedar

• Cedar is native to the United States and other North American countries and is quite abundant in those locations. Cedar has many of the same qualities as teak. It is durable, produces its own preservative oils and will last for many years. Because cedar grows quickly and abundantly in many climates, it is not endangered like teak and will be readily available. Often, cedar is more affordable than teak.

  Maintain your cedar with a coating of water sealant or simple wood oil. A coat of stain will also preserve the color and beauty of your cedar garden box. Left untreated, cedar will age to a silvery gray color, much like teak.

Redwood

• Redwood is harvested in North America and in some areas of China. The wood is a fast growing species, making it readily available. Most redwood used for garden furniture is grown on private land, making it an environmentally conscious choice. Redwood is a very durable wood for garden use. It will last roughly 25 years when left outdoors the majority of the time.

  Care for your redwood products by applying redwood sealer every six months to a year. The sealer will keep water and stains from soaking into the wood. Graying redwood can be sanded back to its original color before applying the redwood sealer.

Tropical Hardwoods

• There are a large number of other tropical hardwoods with the same longevity and durability of teak. These woods gain in popularity as teak becomes less readily available. There are several common tropical redwoods used in outdoor gardening: eucalyptus, roble, shorrea and jarrah are all varieties of wood that you can consider when making a purchase for your garden. All of these woods range in color and appearance. Each one is highly durable and will last from 20 to 50 years when left outdoors.