How to Choose the Right Wood Sealer for Your Garden Bed Project

When it comes to building a raised garden bed—especially for growing organic produce—choosing the right wood sealer is just as important as selecting the right soil or seeds. Not all sealers are created equal, and some can introduce harmful chemicals into your garden. So how do you know which one to trust? 

Let’s break it down. 

 What to Look for in a Garden Bed Sealer 

1. Country of Origin 

Always check where the product is made. We recommend choosing sealers manufactured in the USA or Canada for higher quality control and ingredient transparency. 

2. Plant-Based ≠ 100% Plant-Based 

Just because a product says “plant-based” does not mean it is entirely derived from plants. For organic gardens, make sure the interior of your garden bed is treated with a 100% plant-based sealer. For the exterior, a 95%+ plant-based product with UV blockers (like Total Wood Armor) is acceptable. 

3. FDA Food Contact Safe Ingredients 

The FDA maintains a list of ingredients deemed safe for food contact. Products that are FDA food contact safe ONLY use ingredients from the FDA’s list and nothing more. You should only use sealers that meet these standards - especially for surfaces that will touch soil and the roots of edible plants, such as Wooden Garden Beds.  

Note: The FDA does not “approve” wood sealers. Any company claiming their wood sealer is FDA “approved” is non-compliant and likely not reputable. 

4. Longevity Claims 

If a product claims to protect wood for 10+ years, it likely uses premium ingredients with a proven track record. Avoid products with acrylics or siloxanes, which typically last only 3–4 years. Additionally, certain types of acrylics can be harmful to humans and animals and can contain chemicals like ammonia or formaldehyde. Siloxanes have been linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity and pose a threat to aquatic life. 

5. Color & Odor 

6. Manufacturer Transparency 

Look for a physical address (not a PO box), and ensure the company offers live chat, phone, and email support. This shows they stand behind their product. 

7. Customer Reviews 

Trust your fellow gardeners. Avoid products with fewer than 250 reviews—especially for something as important as your organic garden. 

8. Curing Oils vs. Water-Based 

Plant-based wood sealers should be made from curing oils, not water. Curing oils harden by reacting with air, encapsulating and protecting deep in the wood’s fibers. Water-based sealers cannot be plant-based, the term water-based when discussing wood sealers typically refers to sealers containing acrylics or polyurethanes, which are not suitable for use in gardens. 

Can I Trust Buying on Amazon? 

Yes—but with caution. Look beyond the reviews: 

If the answer to any of these is no, don’t risk it—especially for your organic garden. Some sellers import generic products and rebrand them without proper testing or safety standards. 

What a Manufacturer Should Tell You About Their Ingredients 

You now have the tools to verify a product’s safety without needing the full ingredient list. But here’s what you should still ask: 

Most reputable manufacturers won’t disclose their full ingredient list—especially if they are patent-pending. And that’s okay! What matters is transparency, consistency, and accountability.  

If a product is patent pending, then you should trust the manufacturer’s ingredient claims. Why? Because when the patent is issued, the ingredient list will be published. A reputable company will not claim their product is 100% plant-based and FDA food contact safe if they have a pending patent, as any false claims would discredit the company and jeopardize patent issuance. 

Why Quality Wood Sealers Cost More—And Why It Matters 

When it comes to wood protection, not all sealers are created equal. If you're looking for a product that’s plant-based, food-safe, and built to last, expect to pay a bit more—and for good reason. 

High-quality, food-safe sealers use ingredients that are safe for garden beds, children’s play areas, and even direct food contact. These ingredients are more expensive, but they deliver long-term performance, often lasting a decade or more with proper application. 

On the other hand, cheap sealers often rely on hydrocarbon-based chemicals like acrylics, siloxanes, or silanes. While they may be budget-friendly, they typically: 

In short, you get what you pay for. Investing in a premium, plant-based sealer means investing in the health of your garden, your family, and the longevity of your wood. 

Summary: How to Choose the Best Garden Bed Sealer 

You now know how to: 

You don’t need to be a chemist to make a smart choice—you just need to know what to look for! 

While some sealants may offer a cheap fix for wood protection, most fall short in terms of safe ingredients and FDA compliance. Garden Box Armor provides a superior, sustainable, chemical-free solution for preserving the beauty and integrity of your Organic Garden Beds. 

We hope you found this edition of the Seal It Green blog informative & helpful! If you have any questions or would like to share your own experiences with Garden Bed wood sealers, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you! 

Thank you for reading, and happy sealing! 

The Seal It Green Team