Top 2 GARDEN MYTHS: Treated Wood & Synthetic Fertilizer MYTHS BUSTED!

This video is dedicated to dispelling the top 2 GARDEN MYTHS I commonly hear on the internet: the use of pressure treated wood in garden beds is toxic and harmful to plants and humans, and using synthetic fertilizers (AKA "chemical fertilizers") such as Miracle Gro in your garden is toxic and harmful to plants and humans.

I grow mostly in raised beds. In this video, I explain why I built my raised bed garden with pressure treated lumber and discuss whether there are toxic side effects from my lumber choices.

I also discuss using synthetic fertilizer (AKA "chemical fertilizer") as a garden fertilizer and whether it concerns me from a health perspective.

The goal of this video is not meant to be the "final word" on these matters, but is simply my view of the situation and why I've chosen these practices in my vegetable garden. At the end of the day, what we grow in our garden is almost always better than what we buy at the store, so keep that in perspective and "don't let 'perfection' be the enemy of 'good.' "

TABLE OF CONTENTS
0:00 Garden Myth: Using Pressure Treated Wood For Raised Garden Beds Is Harmful
9:42 Garden Myth: Using Soluble Fertilizers In Your Garden Is Harmful
17:21 Adventures With Dale

If you have any questions about raised bed gardening, the things I am growing in my vegetable garden, are looking for any garden tips and tricks, or have questions about gardening and organic gardening in general, please ask in the Comments below!

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VISIT MY AMAZON STOREFRONT FOR PRODUCTS I USE MOST OFTEN IN MY GARDEN*

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VISIT MY MERCHANDISE STORE

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EQUIPMENT I MOST OFTEN USE IN MY GARDEN (INDIVIDUAL LINKS)*:

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SOCIAL MEDIA

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ABOUT MY GARDEN
Location: Southeastern NC, Brunswick County (Wilmington area)
34.1°N Latitude
Zone 8A

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*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
© The Millennial Gardener

[TheMillennialGardener]

Do you grow in raised beds? If so, what material did you use? Let us know in the Comments below!

[astroAl]

Absolutely great info. I don't know what you do for a living, but you would be an amazing teacher or journalist. Your videos are always so clear, concise and logically organized.

[billytingen]

I really appreciate the fact that you dare to question the myths out there. I have found that it really pays to do your own research. One person recently said, "I don't just watch videos, I also read"...or something to that effect. Thank you for sharing. Loved the "song" at the end.

[PixelatedApollo]

Great channel. It’s my go to for garden advice.

[addammadd]

I’ve been watching you from about the beginning my man and this is by far my favorite video of yours.

[lyndaturner]

Thank you for putting out this video, I worried my pressure treated Timber may have been a problem but now I realise it’s fine.

[prioritymaleman]

finally some common sense on this stuff, esp. the fertilizer issue. Now I have a source to refer people to, when I hear comments about "horrible" non-organic fertilizer. Thanks! (and the outtake...fabulous...great to see Dale leading his pack in howling!)

[mahimahi]

Thank you so much for the explanation. I ❤ Dale 🐶! So cute!

[SaltydogNC]

Thanks for being brave enough to cover this topic. When I bought my treated boards the big box employee warned me not to use it for gardening. I use copper-treated pressure treated pine in my raised beds. I read independent research on the topic. Even the old nastier arsenic boards had very little soil migration and even less plant absorption. I have four beds that are over 16 years old and just this year I had to replace one end board and two side boards. A great community garden near me used untreated boards and their 30+beds fell apart quickly and had to be rebuilt this year. This time, they went with copper-pressure treated. I do compost topping each year, but I will often give new plants a helping hand with Jack's soluble 20-20-20. And I always use diluted synthetic for indoor seedlings starts until they are transplanted.

[bostonchoir]

Nice to come back, the Easter miracle!

[ktrain]

Excellently explained my friend, I could not have put it any better. I'm hoping a few doses of that stuff will help my plants and trees recover a bit quicker. Keep up the good vids Sir.

[betsyholcomb]

I love the clarity of your explanations across your videos.

[gregleach]

I tend to use natural and synthetic fertilizers in combination . I too live in the rainy southeast and manures, compost, blood and bonemeal and fish fertilizer are great but sometimes not quite enough in rainy summers . You really get the best of both worlds with a combination . Miracle Gro is a great product and I noticed this spring they add beneficial bacteria to their newest tomato food . It never hurts to add more bacteria to the existing bacteria in the soil as it helps to convert ammonia to nitrite then to nitrate etc . I completely agree that the plants themselves are the best indicator of toxicity in the soil . If they are healthy then that’s what matters . It’s all chemical processes in the soil to break down all nutrients in the soil to a form plants can use . Great video !

[kievgarden]

The citrus tree in the pot is priceless!

[geigercourtier]

“None of these plants are sad”. You’re a saint and a scholar, kudos sir

[shashakeeleh]

Oh, thank you! Finally, someone shows some sense!

[Mstymntntop]

I am a believer in both points you make. The plants absorb nutrients by the same mechanism whether organic or synthetic.

[resourceplaya]

Great video. Your correct about both of these myths on the net. It’s amazing how some people will just repeat something they are told as if it’s a undisputed fact.

Love your analytical approach to gardening. Big fan of the channel!

[TheWordofGodGardenMore]

Well explained, thanks for sharing. God's blessings always, Hallelujah Grace Shalom

[nmnate]

I'll use miracle grow in my potted plants because I can wash the salts out if necessary (just by extra irrigation). I prefer to use compost / wood mulch and if needed some type of fish blend to add nitrogen for my in-ground plants. I think I'd rather just let the soil biology do it's thing for in ground plants (tbh I'd rather not have to amend at all), but my potted plants are in a soil-less mix... I do agree that the miracle-grow chemical fertilizers (especially those high nitrogen ones) make things grow insanely vigorously. Reminds me that I need to go feed my figs, they're waking up :)