Redwood lumber

Redwood offers the longest lifespan of any common garden wood, often exceeding 20 years. Like cedar, its durability comes from natural tannins concentrated in the heartwood that resist decay and insects. Redwood has a distinctive reddish-brown color with fewer knots than cedar and superior resistance to warping and splitting. A 2x6x8-foot board runs approximately $30+, making it about 15% more expensive than equivalent cedar. Redwood is most readily available and cost-effective on the US West Coast; in other regions it may be hard to source or significantly more expensive. For raised beds, use Construction Heart or Better grade redwood, which is all heartwood. Avoid using clear or appearance-grade redwood, as the premium price is wasted in ground-contact applications. Redwood is an excellent choice if you want maximum longevity and are in a region where it is readily available. Like cedar, it requires no chemical treatment for food safety.