ties around garden

[OH logger]

hello all, I wanted to put some railroad ties around the garden and fill in with dirt and leave mounded  to drain the water off during heavy rains. the wife thinks the creosote will kill us (maybe shes right too). I can saw black locust, bur oak or ash, etc., but what would be the best for this application. we don't have cedar around here. I don't want to redo it very soon so longevity is the key. thanks everyone!!

[Ron Wenrich]

Black locust would last longest, with ash being the worst.  You could line the inside of the beds with plastic, which would keep the moist dirt off of the wood and give you a little more longevity.

[tmarch]

It won't kill ya, but to convince her would be more work than making it out of something else. ;D
I've used galvanized stock water tanks and they do a heckuvajob, 2 feet tall and smaller ones you can reach to the middle.  Old industrial tires also work well, just cut the sidewall back to close to the tread with a sawzall.

[Magicman]

We have had RR ties around ours for years.  I probably glow in the dark a bit, but Pat doesn't.   ;D

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

We have had RR ties around ours for years.  I probably glow in the dark a bit, but Pat doesn't.   ;D

[OH logger]

thanks for the replies. black locust it is!!