In this video, I show you a big mistake I made when I built one of our DIY-raised garden beds and how to fix this error, which wasn’t easy!
WoodShield: https://www.woodshield.com.au/
Plastic Forests: https://plasticforests.com.au/ (The round plastic garden beds)
Go here to get Birdies Raised Garden beds in the USA, Canada, and UK: https://lets.growepic.co/self-sufficient-me for a 5% discount, or use SSME2020 at checkout.
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.
Hoselink Garden Products such as hose reels go here https://l.linklyhq.com/l/5uZu and you will automatically get a 10% discount on checkout!
Aussie-made Forged garden tools: Go to https://gardentoolsaustralia.com.au/ and use code SSM10 for a 10% discount at checkout.
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.
Plant Doctor Fertiliser: Go to https://www.plantdoctor.com.au/ and use SSME10 = 10% off products (not shipping).
Ocean2earth Fish Compost: Enter the discount code SSME5 at checkout on their Website here https://ocean2earth.com.au/ and get a 5% discount on the 1.5L and 3L bags plus free shipping Australia-wide!
Rolling Sifter: https://rollingsifter.ecwid.com/
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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). I started Self Sufficient Me in 2011 as a blog website project where I document and write about backyard food growing, self-sufficiency, and urban farming in general. I love sharing my foodie and DIY adventures online, so come along with me and let’s get into it! 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. I will always declare in a video if the video is sponsored, and since starting my channel in 2011, I am yet to do a sponsored video.
#raisedbedgardening #DIY #gardening
43 Comments
G'day Everyone, my shoulders are sore, and this old knuckle dragger has a few blisters, but I really enjoyed this project (including the editing etc) – it was a ton of fun. I hope you are all "getting into it." Thanks for your ongoing support! Cheers 🙂
Goes to show that gardening is a continual improvement process. Starting a foundation is just as important as maintaining and expanding. If you learn something, a setback will never be a net zero experience.
Great video, your candor is always appreciated. Tough work, good on ya!
Looks like them garden bed manufactures need to get back to the drawing board .. with the design .. of course they will blame you cos you didnt install it properly .. whats worse you promoted ,and recommended them .. now that you have issues .. send them the bill for making it right 😋
without cement or packed gravel, those posts are going to be leaning down-hill again in a couple years. Your soil is creeping down-hill and without a solid footing those posts are just going to creep with it.
Hi Their Mark, well done, I enjoyed the video. Thanks for your time. Its nice to see good ideas. Have a good day.
Hey Mark, hope you're doing well.
For spreading or compacting things more than our meat pads can, set up your car jack to help.
I use jacks to fell trees (for direction), split wood, move (spread/compact) tough things, etc.
Hope that helps you and others in the future.
For those wondering about wood splitting, its best with those fast rising racing jacks.
I got one for quicker oil changes and figured out its great at splitting wood too.
put some rebar on the downward slope outside to support the lumber you have in the middle of the bed side, it'll add huge support strength, and dirt cheap.
Love your videos, cant wait to see more.
Also, maybe you should go ahead and get the same type of post in to support the other bed too before it decides to bow as well. Less work if you do ot now.
Said it before and I’ll say it again, love that you’re back mate!
That kookaburra needs a name for how much he was a part of this video. How about Burry (like Barry but with a nod to what he is)? I was so amused by him and his antics.
Or you may have leveled the ground, initially, and never had the issue. Love your channel, and I admire, your Green Thumb.
Ahh, how I have missed these videos
Could you have shoveled to either end to save bending over and your back?
Great video and love your stuff. I also love your dedication to sustainability.
That being said, I’m not sure you have a full grasp of chemicals. Those wood treatments you shy away from are not terribly different than that plastic coating. Worse, the more plastic is processed the more it breaks down into those chemicals you are trying to avoid.
I think you nailed it when you said plastic isn’t going away. So you are probably choosing the lesser evil here.
It takes a real man to admit he is wrong but is willing learn from his mistakes, and come back with a solution and also give sound advice. Kudos mate and I await your next video.👊👍
Oh your bird buddy was great!
Years ago when I was an apprentice in construction, the best journeyman I ever had told me "if you're not making mistakes, you're not learning"
My brother and I had to rewrap some of my beds I made from concrete reinforcing wire with landscape fabric after the initial layers about gave up. The rest of my beds are plastic barrels or steel drum halves. Despite a late freeze taking out almost all of my fruit and the first plot of sweet corn everything else is doing pretty well.
Great video and loved your bird buddy. In my mind I am thinking it’s the same bird through the whole video. A great job fixing the problem. You made it seems to me a much easier fix than I thought it would be. How long do you figure the plastic coated posts will last? Do you have any other wildlife that seems to like to spend time in the garden with you, and not try to destroy it when you are not there? Thanks for sharing.
I really appreciate you making these videos.
Maybe try using thicker thread bar and put a washer and bolt on the inside of both sides the garden bed then on the outside might stop it folding in.
Hi Mark, a lot of people in your maze compost tumbler have asked for a review years after purchase. I know I would be interested.
Hey Mark ex Army guy here myself(Aussie). Love your channel. Love those posts great idea. Quick q can you tell me what the brand of post hole digger is. Cheers
The worst part about having these full height garden beds is the settling and turning over. I feel like I shovel the whole thing every other year. I have 65' of 3' x 2.5' of raised gardens. I wish I would have put more thought into bowing and sagging prevention. Don't know what to do about settling other than keep adding new dirt/compost.
i love it
5:38 thats what she said lol
Litteraly posted right when I was starting to make one. Thank you for the help!!
The bird is the star of this video.
Love your videos and your channel!
good day Mark, I just set up my submerged worm bed compost bin with 5 gallon buckets. Planting some veggies soon. Respect to you for putting out all these videos
I was wondering what kind of tin you used on these beds. Our wood ones are needing to be replaced and I want something more long lasting. Hi from Florida 😊
Great job Mark the beds look beaut mate. The kookaburra was persistant wasn't he, must have been hungry for worms. Very cute though. (the bird) 😀 Thanks Mark 💚👍👍💚
❤
That big wild bird was so friendly…. We don't have that too much in USA
You can tell this guy is ex military – dude's a trench digging machine
Omg! That kookaburra is my new bestie! (or yours) Love him and love how you let him hang out with you!
If you had cut and turned your panels with the ribs going vertical it would have given it more strength, because the ribs would not have let it bend in that direction. I know it is more work but it pays off in the long run,
So with all of these videos about the raised containers, my mind goes to wanting to pour concrete areas where supports can be placed. Would be a lot less annoyance then coming back in a year or 2 having to do all of this.
Hey Mark – what do you do with your sugar cane mulch at the end of the season?
Do you just turn it in, or do you remove it after the beds have rested?
Cheers,
Lance
its a good day when mark uploads 😄
What a sweet bird ! ❤How do you water with mulch in the way ?
I Like the idea Mark I’m going to try it out in the open where I can fill the beds with soil using the bobcat ( I know I’m lucky to have one ) thanks for the tips and going through the pitfalls so we can improve.
Cheers from Down south