Hi Stan Some time ago I caught the tail end of a discussion you were having regarding the use of boiled linseed oil as a preservative for planters and fence posts. We have built a new home west of Tofield on RR 212. The deck, made of pressure treated spruce, was put on during construction and is now in its second winter. It has weathered to a lovely soft sage green but I think that it needs some kind of protection and was considering using the linseed oil that you were discussing, unfortunately I only caught part of your talk and want to clarify the method. Can I buy a boiled linseed oil and apply it to the deck with a roller? Any particular brand? How often should it be re-applied? May I receive the Info Notes? Love your show and site. I'll be visiting often. Cindy Cindy - Thanks for your kind comments re. the show, and I hasten to respond: Re. the linseed oil as a preservative. The most common use for the oil in horticulture, is as of a rather short term application to wood products that can be re-oiled every two, three or four years, depending on the deterioration of the wood. Raised wood beds, wood planters, and trellis' all can be cleaned after the seasons use, then re-brushed or sprayed with the boiled or natural linseed oil. As you may know, linseed is from the linium plant and the base for linolium. When brushed or rolled on wood products, it saturates the cells of the wood, making a good defence against pests and rot. Your specific need for a preservative, would be of a penetrating oil and of copper, which is harmless to plant life. Otherwise named Copper napthenate. For fence posts, or any other below ground wood product, there are products ready-mixed, and would suggest using the transparent product advised by the sales person. For your deck: I suggest a semi-transparent oil base stain, closest to the color you wish to maintain. It will not flake or otherwise cause problems that will precipitate a lot of sanding or scraping to prepare for a possible second coat some years after the initial application. Make sure your lumber has dried for at least one year in place, before the first coat. Hope this is helpful.

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