This is a tough one. Creosote gets into the soil and ground water. You can try barriers, but I cannot find how far it typically spreads. A couple of suggestions: Google: add ‘site:edu’ to any search you do. This will limit it to research sites that will give you more definitive information on the subject. CSU does soil testing [ http://www.soiltestinglab.colostate.edu/ ] but I don’t know if they can test for creosote. You can contact them [ http://www.soiltestinglab.colostate.edu/contactus.html ] and ask. If they can, there is a form on the first page that you can fill out with instructions on how to collect soil. Additionally there is a fact sheet on choosing a lab if the CSU lab cannot help [ http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/crops/00520.html ] My research suggests that root vegetables are the most susceptible and suggests not using ties for the veggie bed itself, but not how far away is "safe". Here is an EPA page on Creosote that may provide more data: [ http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/creosote_main.htm ]. I’m sorry I cannot answer more specifically, but I hope these resources give you some help with this. Please let us know if you have additional questions. Sandra Svoboda CSU Master Gardener Boulder Extension

Thanks!  I had read extensively online and found about what you did.  MAN.  that bums me out.  i didn't know if the extensions had some more info.  there is just nothing definitive.  I guess i am still unsure as of what to do.  i will call on the soil test.  I did not know about the adding the site:edu thing.  That will come in super handy i am sure.  i appreciate your time and effort trying to solve this little problem of mine.  sigh.  the whole side of the yard is a garden.  i am wondering how far this stuff can go and if i shouldn't be growing ANY food back there now.  we literally turned half our yard into an urban homestead.  :( thank you. Jen   

hi Jen. this is another master gardener and I saw your thoughtful questions. Another option that would confim whether there actually are hydrocarbons (from petroleum products or chemicals) in your soil is to take a jarful, with no head/air space (fill it to the top), to an analytical laboratory. You'd have to search for a lab in the area that does soil analyses specifically for hydrocarbons - talk to the lab before spending probably $200 per sample and tell them what you suspect - ie., creosote. Collect your sample from the closest bed to the wall at root depth - maybe 6 inches. I was looking at your photos with another master gardener and we don't think those are railroad ties- might be just treated lumber, in which case you probably don't have much of an issue. anyway, more grist for the mill...jackie

Wow, thanks so much Jackie!  I did google local places that do that last week.  I asked CSU too and did not see an email come back from them yet.  After reading a study done in Boston on RR ties used as raised beds and how far away the creosote traveled in those beds I am thinking we are safe as my first food bed doesn't start until at least 3 feet from the ties.  They may just be treated lumber, but either way that isn't tasty either is it? lol.  I have added a lot of compost to the beds too.  I guess it is one of those things that we just have to weigh our risk on.  i find it really interesting though.  i HOPE beyond HOPE that it is safe for my kids to eat.  Thanks for your input.  i certainly am enjoying stumping so many master gardeners this week! lol.  One day i will take the class too and bring THIS as a question.  :) thanks! jen

Hi again, We found another source of info on the CSU website: http://www.ext.colostate.edu It is fact sheet number 7.243. Here is a quote from it: "Hardscape Selection- The choice of building materials for the landscape is extensive. Explore options for utilizing reused materials in your landscape. For example, used bricks or broken concrete can be used for retaining walls or raised beds. Also, recycled plastic material may be an appropriate choice for decking or fences. However, an example of inappropriate recycled materials for use in a garden is the use of creosote-impregnated railroad ties to build a raised bed. The chemicals used to treat the wood can leach into the soil and are not safe to use near food crops." Let us know if you have other questions. CMG Desk Hardscape Selection The choice of building materials for the landscape is extensive. Explore options for utilizing reused materials in your landscape. For example, used bricks or broken concrete can be used for retaining walls or raised beds. Also, recycled plastic material may be an appropriate choice for decking or fences. However, an example of inappropriate recycled materials for use in a garden is the use of creosote-impregnated railroad ties to build a raised bed. The chemicals used to treat the wood can leach into the soil and are not safe to use near food crops.

I am aware that you shouldn't make the actual BEDS out of them, but what if they are 3/4 feet AWAY from the beds?  I do think they are ties cause of the smell.  And not treated wood, but still unclear as to how far away the ties are safely not exposing the fruit in the beds to the creosote.  The one edu article i found on distance from ties suggested that at 18 in. you are back to background levels any closer to the tie and you are higher up on leaching.  so far it is the only article i found on the actual leaching distance.  it was a university of boston study i think based on local community gardens.  and chance i am just hoping for the best and shouldn't be eating strawberries out of beds that are 4 feet from the ties?  that first bed up against the tie we use for sunflowers in the summer in hopes they will pick up some of the leaching and help mitigate.  THANKS!  ~Jen

OH and the treated wood squares are NOT the ties i was referring too, in case that is what you are thinking, the big brown yucky looking retaining wall in the back is.  they must be ties.  they are peeeyuee... :) ~jen