I finally put together this self-watering (wicking) metal raised garden bed… and it took a lot longer than expected 😅 In this video, I show the full setup from assembling the planter, filling it with my soil mix (potting mix, woodchip, zeolite, compost, and minerals), to planting garlic and mulching it in. I’m also comparing this modern metal bed to my older wooden planters to see which performs better over time — especially in a smaller, courtyard-style growing space. 👉 Is metal really better than wood? Time will tell… Self Sufficient Me Online Shop: https://shop.selfsufficientme.com/ For Planters, Merch and other products. Order my book here: https://www.briobooks.store/products/100-top-crops-you-can-grow Or, order my book from Vego (USA Only): https://www.vegogarden.com/products/100-top-crops-you-can-grow Elevated Garden Planters: Check out Vego Garden USA here https://glnk.io/jnwlw/selfsufficientme and use SELFSUFFICIENTME10OFF for a $10 discount. Birdies Raised Garden Beds USA: https://birdiesgardenproducts.com/SSMEbird Use code SSMEbird at checkout for 5% off. Epic Gardening Birdies Raised Garden Beds USA: https://shop.epicgardening.com and use SSME2020 at checkout for a 5% discount. In Australia, go to https://birdiesgardenproducts.com.au/ and use Code SSMEbird for a 5% discount. In New Zealand, go to https://birdiesgardenproducts.co.nz/ and use Code ssmebird22 for 5% off your first purchase. In South Africa, get Birdies Beds here https://www.birdiesgardenproducts.co.za/ and use code: self-sufficient Chicken stuff and preserving gear: Oz Farmer and get a 10% discount, go here https://ozfarmer.com?ta_aff=T4XRUZILS6 and use code T4XRUZILS6 at checkout. My Garden Plan: https://selfsufficientme.gardenplanner.com/garden-plans/1890355/ Check out Australian Landscaping Supplies for a 10% discount: https://www.australianlandscapesupplies.com.au/collections/self-sufficient-me?dt_id=1489901 If you find any problem with the link, use "self_sufficient_me" as the discount code on checkout. Plant Doctor Fertiliser: Go to https://www.plantdoctor.com.au/ and use SSME10 = 10% off products (not shipping). Ocean2Earth: https://ocean2earth.com.au/ Use "SSM" on checkout for a 5% discount. For Hoselink Garden Products, such as hose reels, go here: https://l.linklyhq.com/l/5uZu. You will automatically get a 10% discount on checkout! Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/selfsufficientme (the top tier enables mentoring from yours truly via an exclusive VIP email where I will answer your questions, etc, ASAP). Survival Seeds Aust and USA: https://linktr.ee/survivalseeds Use Code SSM at checkout for a 10% discount. Harvest Right freeze dryer website: https://affiliates.harvestright.com/1099.html For Australian freeze dryer purchase info, use the link above and contact Harvest Right directly. Aussie-made Forged garden tools: Go to https://gardentoolsaustralia.com.au/ and use code SSM10 for a 10% discount at checkout. Rolling Sifter: https://unclejimswormfarm.com/product/outdoor-compost-bin/rolling-garden-sifter/ https://rollingsifter.ecwid.com/ Compostyng (yes, it's spelt wrong deliberately) for 10% off. My second channel, Self Sufficient Me 2: https://bit.ly/331edDu New (third) Channel: Self Suffishing Me https://bit.ly/2LiIWqt Blog: https://www.selfsufficientme.com/ (use the search bar on my website to find info on specific subjects or gardening ideas) Forum: http://www.selfsufficientculture.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/self_sufficient_me Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Zi5kDv Twitter: https://twitter.com/SufficientMe Subscribe to my channel: http://goo.gl/cpbojR Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland, Australia, about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). Cheers, Mark :) *Disclaimer: Some links to products in this description and comments sections are affiliated, meaning I receive a small commission if you follow these links and then purchase an item. 0:00 Metal or Wood Raised Planters? 0:48 Self-Watering Raised Metal Planter Assembly 3:08 Positioning the Raised Bed 05:31 Filling the Bed 13:56 Planting Garlic in the Bed 17:01 Mulching the bed & Tips! 18:56 Wood or Metal? 20:48 Final Thoughts
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Hey Mark, welcome home. You may hate putting things together but you're pretty awesome at putting great gardening videos together. Nga mihi from NZ.
So I bought these about 2 years ago. I’m in Arizona where the only moisture is from watering the yard. These things rust pretty quick…I’m not a fan. I bought 5. I don’t regret it, but I always warn people.
With a great deal of respect, I get that metal lasts longer than wood. Trust me, I live in Florida, US which is hot and humid and wood just doesn't last long. But it will last for at least three years, I know because my current wooden beds made of pine are 3 years and some change old (I did char the sides of the boards). At listed price of $450 USD, I can build 9 or 10 wooden beds with membraned bottom for self-wicking. So 30 years worth. And if I reinforce the corners with metal angle brackets, I could probably make them last longer. The Vego bed would have to last 20 yrs without rusting or having the plastic bits break down under the sun to make it worth it for me.
I’m still so jealous of that sugar cane mulch! I wish we had that here!
1001 ways to die in Australia says don't walk through that pumpkin patch. Man I was scared for you.
It’s looks great. I love the height of it saves the old back. Good to see you got home safe
The problem with commercial wicking beds are the setup costs, they can be ghastly. I replaced rotted in-ground beds with wicking beds comprising of birdies original (bought when on sale), a pond liner, a few pots to create a 200mm reservoir (should have added more pots or stronger supports), a wire barrier - experimented with both plastic (the garage floor plates from bunnings) and metal grids, it was wrapped in geofabric for the barrier. The diy approach was around 1/5 the commercial cost. The only real benefit of the commercial approach is saving yourself the doubt that it will work, but if you back yourself, and experiment with one first, solve any issues, it will work. IBCs for wicking beds are cheaper again as you only need to buy the barrier between the reservoir and the soil and an overflow pipe, but IBCs were rare at the time I did the DIY approach. I have only had to fill the reservoirs in the wicking beds twice in two years, so the time saving alone is fantastic. Maintenance, soil will compress as its continually moist, so dig it out every 18months or so to replenish and inspect the barrier, etc. Also mount the overflow pipe BELOW the barrier else ... you may smell an anaerobic odour following rains.
I made my raised beds with concrete building blocks. No cement needed, just lego them in any shape and height you desire.
Hello everyone – those who share a passion for planting and a love for nature!
I loved hearing the rant at the 2 minute mark ! Great to see the real truth.😂
I like seeing time lapse videos, really makes you appreciate how long time it takes to finish some garden/projects.
Always great content. I learn a lot from your channel.
The garden looks amazing! I'm sure to most it just looks like crazy over growth but when gardening it's an organized chaos 😂
This is going to be a pretty expensive garlic :)
G'day Everyone! Let me know what you prefer — wood or metal raised garden planters? Thanks for your support! Cheers :) /
I'd love to just be a hand around your property to help you out Mark. You deserve all the help you can get
Decomposition is a part of life.
Yeah mulching is critical to keep the container moist. But you know what really helps to suppress weeds? Having the raised bed high enough that you don’t have to lean down and work your back. You can just wander out, take a quick squiz and what’s going on and pull out any unwanted plants every morning while you enjoy your coffee. Weeding isn’t a big ”thing” you have to do any more
I hope you're doing ok, buddy! I'm sensing something from you. Sending hugs. Sorry I couldn't see you when you were here in the states, I live in the midwest - too far away! ❤❤❤
OOOh boy you got my Attention !. I have tried many ways of planting and started with the ground , wooden frame to raised wooden beds . I got 2 years of service from the raised wooden beds , afterwards the dirt got TOO heavy from the rain and couldn't be supported by the wood frame. I have been using the water troughs to the size of 4 foot long and 2 foot wide with 2 feet deep. Growing my crops for 5 years in the water Troughs has worked for me and helps with the back tooooooo.