Whilst hardwood is generally the preferred lumber species for exterior decking due to its hardness, resistance to wear and attractive colour, softwood species are commonly used, particularly where cost is an important factor. But the drawback of most softwoods is that they are not naturally durable so are unsuitable for use in areas fully exposed to the weather unless the wood is properly treated with a recognized wood preservative or completely sealed with an impervious surface coating. So when selecting a softwood species, one of the most important considerations is that these species used should be either a recognised naturally durable species such as Western Red Cedar, some species of cypress, larch or pine, or that it has been treated with an appropriate and good quality preservative.

For more than 70 years, the most commonly accepted wood preservative treatment chemical has been CCA (copper chrome arsenic), which gained popularity due to its effectiveness and relatively low cost. (CCA treated lumber can normally be distinguished by the greenish tone it imparts to the wood). However in recent years, many national organisations and authorities have announced either bans or restrictions on the use of lumber treated with CCA. For example, in Australia from March 2006, CCA treated timber will no longer be permitted for use as handrails, decking boards, picnic tables, or children’s playground equipment in new installations. And in Japan, CCA treated lumber is generally not permitted any longer for public use in major cities for municipal projects.

Although there is apparently no firm scientific proof to support the contention that CCA timber is harmful to health provided it is handled correctly, such cautions or bans have been instituted as a precautionary measure. Nevertheless it is always best to err on the side of safety, so it is recommended that when working with CCA treated lumber, to apply protective clothing including goggles, face mask and gloves. CCA treated lumber also should never be burnt in an open fire but must be disposed of according to local regulations.

Fortunately a number of alternative wood treatment products to replace CCA are now available, the most common of which is probably ACQ (alkaline, copper, quaternary). Such products use low toxicity, active ingredients such as recycled copper and modern organic biocides to give the lumber the required long-term protection against wood destroying fungi, termites and other wood eating insects. Although such products have not been available for a sufficiently long time for extensive natural durability data to be collected, most manufacturers will provide at least 25 years guarantee on the life of treated lumber.

So if you wish to use a softwood species for your deck, check what preservative treatments have been applied, and especially with the newer preservative treatment chemicals, ask what guarantee the lumber supplier is prepared to offer on the lifetime of the decking material. Although untreated softwoods typically have a very short life in exterior exposed conditions, if pressure treated with appropriate chemical, a softwood deck will provide many years of continual use and enjoyment.

Malcolm Kay is the CEO of Intex Pacific Pty. Ltd. an international supplier of landscape materials including modular decking tiles. For more information see swiftdeck.com swiftdeck.com

Gardening is a fun hobby that is enjoyed by people around the world. It is possible to create a garden anywhere in the world. For the beginner, gardening can seem hard, but once they dig in they will find it very easy. There are many tips that can benefit the gardening beginner.

The starting point of gardening is to decide where to put the garden. It can be either indoors or outdoors. The size is another consideration in the beginning. The beginner should start off with a limited number of plants in a small area. Another thing to think about when choosing where the garden will be is the amount of sunlight the area gets daily. This is important when choosing the plants. Drainage is also an important point. If the garden is indoors that is not a big consideration since the gardener controls that, but outside the soil type and texture greatly effects drainage. A beginner should watch the how the soil reacts to water. They should make sure it doesn’t stay too wet as most plants enjoy good drainage. Another consideration when planting outside is the interference of roots from nearby trees or bushes. If the beginner finds the spot has roots it is nest to move elsewhere. Once an area has been chosen and the amount of plants are determined it is time to draw up a plan.

The gardening plan is simply to help the gardener decide what goes where. It does not have to be complex. It helps the gardener to ensure the garden looks nice. Some considerations that should be looked at are the specifics of each plant. First of all, the plants should require generally the same amount of sun and water since they will all be in the same area. It is also important to check the heights of each type of plant. Taller plants should go in the back and shorter ones in front, so, naturally, one doesn’t hide the other. Blooming times are also something to consider. Some plants bloom in Spring while others do not bloom until fall. If the gardener is striving for a seasonal garden then all plants should bloom at the same time. If the gardener is looking for a garden that blooms all year then it should be planted so the garden is covered each blooming period. Once the garden is planned it is time to start planting.

These helpful tips should get the beginning gardener off to a great start. Gardening requires some simple planning and then it is only a matter of watering, weeding and feeding.

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner. She publishes articles and reports in various ezines and also contributes on a regular basis to