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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its harder to setup on your back but unmortared concrete blocks is the best bet....lasts decades easy to repair and can be stacked together like legos
You really look like you have a wonderful place there! Always nice & informative videos!
I have some older cedar beds that I can tell are nearing the end. I have had them for almost a decade, with some plant-based cedar treatments, wooden stakes for bracing weak points, and clothe garden bags to reduce pressure, it helps. One of things that is stopping me from making the switch to metal is the construction and then having to potentially redesign my whole garden area to work with a different bed size and time as I had to customize some pieces to work with the cedar bed configuration. Great video.
I like the higher beds like this saves so much work on the back
I live in an apartment in Texas. I very much miss owning a house and gardening! My balcony doesn't get enough sun to grow more than houseplants, I've tried!! I enjoy your videos. I can garden vicariously with you. Thank you for sharing!❤️❤️❤️
I really love the look of that new one... is it a Birdies one? I want to get one. Really enjoyed watching your video, thank you Mark. Cheers from Yeppoon Qld.
Very good mark.
You can as always stain or paint the wood planters to extend the life of the wood. I'm painting my old ones Tourquoise, it makes me smile.😊
you need to start selling those garlic becuase it is well acclimated to the subtropics and most garlic seeds are from Tasmania where its cold as you know what i mean!
I used to take in abused and unwanted old parrots so hearing the Toos doing flock calls is just such a treat. Hello from Texas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I miss my Toos and their screams.
Believe me, I would replace mine if I could. I'm on the DSP and Birdie beds, and most other good-quality metal beds are just way too expensive for me. I'm mostly doing my growing out of large grow bags. I wish I could afford to have a good garden instead of the mess I have.
Trapezoid, Mark. I look forward to seeing how the wicking works.
At least you are doing it late in the day. If you are working in the sun, set up shade, solar reflective shade. A good size table, power tools, and shade. I believe in raised beds all the way to the ground as they lets grow deep. One can install a culvert through the raised beds as they are constructed. The deep raised beds can be made self watering and they build soil. The type you are currently installing are good where space is a concern, there is no soil or close to buildings.
Thank you for another very informative vlog. I'm also steering toward raised troughs for vegs so appreciate the comparison between metal and wood. I was also interested in what growing medium to use. All the best 😊
Nice to see your video ! Good Luck with the new metal garden bin. 👍👍
For the amount of work and expense for that planter I think I prefer your existing birdies type I can get them delivered to my home all put together from my local landscaping place - easy peasy Big fan of the pumpkin patch 😂
I mulch heavily when I plant my garlic (here in the Fall) and I never have weed issues with them.
The best potting mix I've ever found is the cheapest potting mix available at Bunnings I add equal parts compost and double the amount with aged cow manure and everything grows extremely fast
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
One thing to watch out for in summer is that the dark coloured metal will absorb a lot of heat and transfer it into the soil. If it sees direct sunlight, you could fry your roots. Mine are painted white and between that and keeping them under a shadecloth the plants are pretty comfortable even in forty deg days