Ideas weatherproofing 2 x 2 pine stakes to be safe

hardwaterbob · March 21, 2011

I recently purchased some 2 x 2 8 ft pine lumber and I will use them for staking my tomatoes. I plan to bury the post 12 to 18 inches in the ground. I will stake up 3 tomatoes to each post. I am wondering what to treat the wood with to perserve them and not to harm the tomatoes. I am looking for some ideas.

Thanks

Bob

recruiterg · March 21, 2011

Linseed oil might work.

fortyonenorth · March 21, 2011

Pine, in contact with the ground, will have a limited lifespan. I'd just paint them with a good exterior paint - that'll give you a decent finish that can be reapplied. Be doubly sure to seal the end grain.

tuk50 · May 14, 2011

A while back we had a problem getting rid of peanut oil we used in the turkey fryer... I now keep it in a 5gal bucket with a lid by the greenhouse... just stick the posts, stakes and even my hoes and shovels in for a few days when ever needed.... I imagine any oil would work, just don't use used motor oil ... many bad things in there.

It also works well on wooden handled hammers, pruning tools and I even dip my other tools from time to time just for lubrication.

simmran1 · May 15, 2011

HWB, If you haven't finalized this project for untreated tomato stakes I would recommend Tung oil. Formby's, Hope's, or online at Real Milk Paint tung oil is a natural product, i.e. non-toxic that soaks into the wood. A protectant like this should last for years. I have used on many exterior wood projects with amazing results.

March 21, 2011	#1
hardwaterbob Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Elgin, Illinois Posts: 108	Ideas weatherproofing 2 x 2 pine stakes to be safe I recently purchased some 2 x 2 8 ft pine lumber and I will use them for staking my tomatoes. I plan to bury the post 12 to 18 inches in the ground. I will stake up 3 tomatoes to each post. I am wondering what to treat the wood with to perserve them and not to harm the tomatoes. I am looking for some ideas. Thanks Bob

May 14, 2011	#4
tuk50 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tucson, Arizona (catalina) Posts: 413	A while back we had a problem getting rid of peanut oil we used in the turkey fryer... I now keep it in a 5gal bucket with a lid by the greenhouse... just stick the posts, stakes and even my hoes and shovels in for a few days when ever needed.... I imagine any oil would work, just don't use used motor oil ... many bad things in there. It also works well on wooden handled hammers, pruning tools and I even dip my other tools from time to time just for lubrication. __________________ Hangin on for dear life!

May 15, 2011	#5
simmran1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Iowa Zone 5 Posts: 305	HWB, If you haven't finalized this project for untreated tomato stakes I would recommend Tung oil. Formby's, Hope's, or online at Real Milk Paint tung oil is a natural product, i.e. non-toxic that soaks into the wood. A protectant like this should last for years. I have used on many exterior wood projects with amazing results. __________________ Tomatovillain

March 21, 2011	#2
recruiterg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edina, MN (Zone 4) Posts: 945	Linseed oil might work.

March 21, 2011	#3
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	Pine, in contact with the ground, will have a limited lifespan. I'd just paint them with a good exterior paint - that'll give you a decent finish that can be reapplied. Be doubly sure to seal the end grain.