Growing Fruit/Vege Vines on Treated Pine Fence

ForkSnorter on 04/08/2023 - 09:05
Last edited 04/08/2023 - 09:06

What do you think about growing vines like passionfruit or beans on a pine fence treated with arsenic?

It's generally not recommended to build your garden beds out of treated pine due to the potential for arsenic to leach into the soil, but I wonder if there is any risk for vines that come into direct contact with the fence?

I know there may not be a definitive answer to this, but just wondering what people think about it.

Thanks

Home & Garden Plant

Comments

  • geekcohen on 04/08/2023 - 09:09
    +1

    Welcome to OzGarden.

    I don't have a problem growing some berries on my fence, it is 10 years old, so it isn't a fresh fence. But I don't see it being a problem I guess.

    • ForkSnorter on 04/08/2023 - 10:22

      Fence is new. We're also growing some veges about half a metre from the fence, do you think that's fine?

  • dtc on 04/08/2023 - 09:32
    +3

    If you are concerned then use a cheap wood trellis. Nail/screw a bit of wood to the fence and then add the trellis to that (so the trellis sits out a few cm from the fence). Probably worthwhile to use a trellis anyway since that adds structure for the climbing plants.

    Alternative is to use a wire trellis, you can buy them or make your own (google up)

  • onetwothreefour on 04/08/2023 - 10:10

    I grow passionfruit on a pine fence but the fence is probably 20 years old so not much treatment left in it I guess.

  • Protractor on 04/08/2023 - 10:51
    +1

    Get sounder advice from experts like your state ag dept.
    Maybe they can recommend an affordable soil sampling option if needed.
    Some soils are already contaminated by heavy metals, so it might be worth the definitive peace of mind

    • [Deactivated] on 04/08/2023 - 11:03
      +2

      Some soils are already contaminated by heavy metals

      All are

      • Protractor on 04/08/2023 - 11:22
        +1

        I mean in suburbia (or ex-industrial zones) there are places where eg., cadmium and lead, etc, exist at levels unsuitable for food gardens without extensive precautions.

        ( That's what happens when we expand the human footprint onto the human dumping ground)

  • c64 on 04/08/2023 - 13:53

    the soil within a short distance of the fence will be contaminated with arsenic

    • ForkSnorter on 04/08/2023 - 14:36

      Any idea of the specific distance?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join