To ensure a pallet is plant-safe, look for the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo. This means the pallet was heat-treated instead of chemically treated.

If you’re not sure if the wood was pressure-treated, line the inside of your garden bed with heavy plastic, so the soil doesn’t come into contact with the wood.

Composite wood also won’t warp or break down over time although the color can fade. While making raised beds, make sure they are not too wide. [12] X Expert Source Steve MasleyHome & Garden Specialist Expert Interview. 20 March 2019. A width of 3 feet or 40 inches is suitable because it is easy to reach the middle of the bed. [13] X Expert Source Steve MasleyHome & Garden Specialist Expert Interview. 20 March 2019. If you put it up against a wall, it should not be wider than 2 feet. [14] X Expert Source Steve MasleyHome & Garden Specialist Expert Interview. 20 March 2019.