Birdies vs Vego Review - 10 Months Later - Are The Beds Caving?

Vego Raised Garden Beds michelleinthemeadow.com/vego
I am an affiliate, I will receive a small commission when you choose to make a purchase through my link. Your purchase helps support this channel.
It's time for the 10-month updated review on the Birdies and Vego Garden Beds.
You can find the blog post with the head-to-head specs here: michelleinthemeadow.com/vego-...
The Birdies, in the maximum configuration, has 24.78 SF of growing space
The Vego, in the maximum configuration, has 22.75 SF of growing space.
Check out this video for all the questions you've asked and the answers, too; you can find them all on my website here: michelleinthemeadow.com/every...
#birdies #vego #review
The landscape fabric:
DeWitt SBLT4300 Sunbelt Ground Cover Weed Barrier, 4-Feet Width by 300-Feet Length a.co/8REG9xv
Hoops and Netting
These are the Hoops that I bought
amzn.to/3OPLto2
and the Netting
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and the Clamps
amzn.to/3loDBN8
About Michelle in the Meadow
I am a suburban gardener located in zone 9A in Northeast Florida. I started growing in this suburban lot in 2019 and have expanded the garden yearly. In 2020 I started making Facebook Videos about the garden, and in 2022 created this KZbin channel. I enjoy making content about my garden, what I’m growing and learning, and from time to time, the general vlog, too.
About our Growing Season & Gardens
We have 300+ days between frost dates and can pretty much garden year-round. We are currently growing in many raised garden beds of various sizes. We grow along both sides of the house, in grow bags, in the ground, in Greenstalk vertical planters, and in pots on the patio.
Michelle in the Meadow KZbin Channel
/ @michelleinthemeadow
Facebook Page
/ michelleinthemeadow
Instagram
/ michelleinthemeadow
Vego vs. Birdies Video Playlist
• Vegos vs Birdies Raise...
Technology I Use Around The Garden and For The Videos
Gimbal for my Samsung Phone (Yes, I shoot my video on my cell phone)
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Blink Outdoor Cameras - I purchased them on Prime Day, and the deal was so good I couldn’t pass it up. Now to have a little fun around the Meadow.
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The links I share may be affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you click or make a qualified purchase at no additional cost to you. Please know my opinions are my own and not influenced by any commission.

[@alicias9928]

Thanks for these updates, you are a year ahead of me and I appreciate your candor so I can learn the pros and cons as I am planning my garden.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

You're welcome. I am having a blast working on the videos, too. Thank you.

[@intuitiveinspiredart4366]

Thank you for the updates.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

You're welcome 😊

[@marjoriewilliams6446]

I am continuing to love your channel Michelle! Great video, even though you are having a bit of the sides caving I would still set them up the way you did. Easy to fix and really super beneficial to all the soil organisms. Keep up the good work! Marjorie Cape Cod MA

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Oh thank you! And thanks for the encouragement, it will be interesting to perk in soon.

[@isabelladavis1363]

Many thanks for your totally honest review I have birdies in my garden plot and am quite happy I am concerned about the longer larger ones with the support structures will keep an eye on those … stay blessed

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thanks so much. I appreciate the compliment. Let me know how your beds do. Happy Gardening.

[@lamarwilliams185]

Thanks for the video. You have done everything that these professional gardeners have advised. Great job!! Keep us up to date on your progress periodically.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thank you! Will do!

[@karenfryerenjoylifeaustralia]

Great content as always Michelle love watching you!

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thanks so much!

[@gannas42]

Thanks for the update! This will be the second season with my Birdies tall 8-in-1 like you have here. I liked it so much I picked up a second one and set it up before snowfall. Probably will add a third this summer. So far I haven't had the sides move at all but I also did not put anything other than soil and compost above the bottom-most support. Here's hoping I avoid the cave-in even though it is simple to remedy.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thanks for sharing. Congrats on your garden! I hope you avoid it too. Happy Gardening!

[@lisagoldberg5178]

Thanks for the monthly updates! Been so busy at work the last couple of months, haven't been able to keep up with one of my favorite yt channels!❤🙏

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Welcome back! Awww. Thank you so much. 💓 hope work is positive and productive 🙏

[@lisagoldberg5178]

@@michelleinthemeadow Yes! This will get me to Florida, sooner, rather than later. That is why I value your channel. Your experience is so "valuable". Don't under rate yourself! Thank you again!

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thank you for the encouragement 💝

[@louiseteeter1971]

Although I'm in zone 4b and expect a little different experience after I put mine in this spring, I really have appreciated watching how your beds are holding up throughout the season. Thanks!

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thank you. I am having lots of fun sharing, too.

[@thedirtyhoehomestead]

We have self wicking tubs using old mineral tubs and love them, we also have a in ground garden 40' x 50'. Someday hope to have some raised beds but looking at maybe building them from cedar and sheet metal depending on cost comparison.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

I wish we could easily get the mineral tubs around here. I like Gardening with Leon's plans. That's a nice sized garden. Regarding the cedar prices, I actually made a video this week. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmS2dZyNgNSKhbcsi=n6jFQ7Gh99D9vMcW

[@cardstockcollector]

Thank You!

[@michelleinthemeadow]

You're welcome!

[@tbarron1631]

I'm looking forward to the video after digging them out.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thank you 😊 me too - I am nervous and excited. LOL. Stay tuned. Thanks for watching. Happy Gardening !

[@geekygardens]

That's interesting about the possible sagging, but not really much of a concern even before I watch Mark's video. But then all of mine (so far) are the 17" height and I was very careful to not put any branches over the middle supports and I did put a few slabs of wood under the lower supports.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

I was surprised myself. I am excited to see the insides of the bed soon.

[@PlantObsessed]

I just bought 3 of the urban version. I am hoping to make a cattle panel area for melon and squash. Fingers crossed they are as good as the green ones.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thanks for sharing. I really like the looks of the urban version, too. They may find a way into the yard 😉 By the way, the worms are doing a great job. Woot.

[@mikeschaoticgardening]

Awesome...I saw marks fix video

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Great! Thanks Mike!

[@alanknight4418]

I have purchased 3 vego beds. I am in Northern Delaware. My issue was the hardware is designed to only work with the pos wrench they supply. You can't use your own tools

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Alan. Thanks for sharing. That's interesting. I'm going to look into that a little more.

[@Angie-ci1lp]

Yes! I also have both Vego and Birdie beds I LOVE both of them! Thank you for sharing🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽 Greeting from zone 6a Michigan

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@shaunafleming5423]

Michelle, I am loving your videos and have been investigating both the Birdies and Vego too. With the tall beds how do you harvest your tomatoes?? Mine have grown over 6 feet high and with the 32 inch container height I would need a ladder to get the top ones. Do you just plant lower growing veggies in these tall ones? Just wondering...

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thank you. That is an excellent question. I grew tomatoes and tomatillos on the arched trellis in the middle. They did fine. I can almost reach the top on my tippy toes. That said, I would be curious to try a lean and lower around a trellis. Hmm. Know you have me really 🤔 thinking. Thank you for asking. Happy Gardening!

[@einthedatadog7]

They’re looking great!! It’ll be neat to see the decomposition progress in March. Questions! I’m just south of you down in 9b! I’ve been wanting to grow blueberries and raspberries. How well have your blueberries produced? I’d love a video on them some day. And lastly, your camera looks great! What are you recording with? Thanks Michelle!! ❤

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thank you. The blueberries have done great! I will do a video this year when I upgrade them to a new garden bed. I followed the advice of the nursery. I have 2 different varieties that bloom at the same time, planted within 6 feet of one another. Last year we had LOADS of blueberries from these 2 small bushes.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thanks for noticing the camera upgrade. It is a Sony ZV-1 - it's been on the market a while. There is a newer version that is cheaper - but it doesn't have the Shot Steady feature - which I think is needed for the walking around videos that I do. I'm including my Amazon link here if you're interested in checking it out. amzn.to/3HiCWHw

[@einthedatadog7]

@@michelleinthemeadow awesome thank you!

[@einthedatadog7]

@@michelleinthemeadow that’s fantastic! I didn’t know we could do well with them here! I’m excited to try!

[@rayikaikin]

i dug my raised bed out after a year of great growing to find very thick undraining mud! i didnt use Hügelkultur as i was still learning though and it was a water tank i added rock in the bottom and left the "bung" out and filled with tons of bags of potting soil kow manure etc. it was a chore but ive reset it, drilled some holes and hopefully itll drain better down there!

[@karenfryerenjoylifeaustralia]

Can I suggest that you also regulate your watering carefully, when replacing decaying soil mixture mix in some more fibrous materials and a small quantity of sand to assist with creating a free draining medium

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thank you for sharing. I appreciate all the learning we can do together.

[@tammystoddard2830]

I started buying Vego beds 1 1/2 years ago and they aren’t caving in. I hope to get 4 more this year for a total of 15.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thanks for sharing. I don't think it's a design problem either ... it will be interesting when I dig it out 😉

[@MsLuminescence]

How did you fill them please?

[@michelleinthemeadow]

@MsLuminescence we purchased local organic raised bed mix locally. Next time I will add in more perlite to the mix. The bottom 18" or so was old logs and yard debris, with soil on top.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Interested in your own raised garden bed? Birdies Raised Garden Bed michelleinthemeadow.com/epic Save 5% with code MEADOW on qualified products. Vego Raised Garden Beds michelleinthemeadow.com/vego Save 5% with code MICHELLEINTHEMEADOW5%OFF through August 11, 2023 I am an affiliate, I will receive a small commission when you choose to make a purchase through my link. Your purchase helps support this channel. ***************************************************************************

[@onemoredoll5791]

Interesting about the pulling in. I just bought 2 tall beds back on Black Friday and just filled them up. Would you have filled the bed differently to avoid the pulling in?

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Great question. Maybe. When I dig the bed out in March, I'll see what the decomposition tells me underneath and consider changes.

[@onemoredoll5791]

@@michelleinthemeadow Great! Looking forward to seeing what you discover.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

@@onemoredoll5791 Thanks! Me, too!

[@bpgomez1]

What did you put underneath the beds, something black? We are in NE FL also, do you do anything to them when a hurricane is coming?

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Great question. Only cardboard at the base. For the hurricanes, all has been well for the beds. The plants take a beating. I may tie the plants more next time. 😳

[@pennycole9002]

I had a wooden raised garden once and ants took it over, which made it hard to plant vegetable. I am thinking about getting a raised garden again. Do yours sit on weed barrier which might help keep the ants from building colonies?

[@onemoredoll5791]

I have raised beds and in some I do have ants. I sprinkle First Saturday Lime around the bed once and they never came back. The only weed barrier I use is cardboard on the bottom (on top of gopher wire) then built the bed up like Michelle did with sticks, leaves etc. (I dont use logs due to termites in my area)

[@pennycole9002]

@@onemoredoll5791 Thanks. Do you sprinkle it on the ground outside the raised bed or on top of the soil inside the raised bed?

[@michelleinthemeadow]

I sometimes see ants, but typically, I think that's an indicator that the soil is too dry. So I'd likely check the moisture and perhaps water deeply and regularly. I hope that helps.

[@susantessner4053]

Have you done any research on Vegega garden beds? I am wondering how they compare to Vego and Birdies? Love your videos!

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Hi Susan. Thanks for watching. I have not seen the Vegaga beds. I have been very happy with both my Birdies and Vego. Both companies are having Memorial Day Sales. You can learn more here: michelleinthemeadow.com/epic Use MEADOW for an additional 5% off the bed sale buy 3 get 1 free. michelleinthemeadow.com/vego up to 40% off.

[@susantessner4053]

@@michelleinthemeadow thank you so much!

[@michelleinthemeadow]

You're most welcome.

[@bobbun9630]

Since digging out and cost are both mentioned here... My current "raised bed" solution is pretty cheap, though not especially pretty. The original goal was just to create compost bins for some bamboo and woody debris that takes forever to break down, but I ended up piling some soil on top and growing plants on the "pile". The solution is to cut a strip of 36" high 4"x2" net wire 13' long and bend it into a ring roughly four feet across. This is then lined on the inside with a decent grade of woven landscape fabric, filled most of the way with debris, soil placed on top, then planted. The bed is similar to what you may have seen before as a "Johnson-Su bioreactor", though I don't have internal ventilation in mine. Not exactly pretty, limited to a round shape, and I'll have to dig them out every 2-3 years most likely, but I can build something like ten of my beds for the price of either of the beds described here.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thank you for sharing that does sound like an innovative and affordable solution. Very cool. What has grown best in this setup? Happy Gardening.

[@bobbun9630]

@@michelleinthemeadow I just started using this type of bed last year. Everything I have planted in them has grown similarly to my in ground planting, but experience with them is still a bit limited. I won't know until this summer how effective they have been in their composting function though they are still very slowly settling. Last year I started with a cover crop of blackeye peas. They did well, but I don't eat them, hence why it was a cover crop. After those flowered I fall planted the beds with perennial alliums (elephant garlic, chives, shallots, potato onions, leeks and walking onions). Those are all doing quite nicely, though it's just now getting warm enough in my area for them to grow faster and avoid taking freeze damage. At least two new beds are currently being filled for spring and summer.

[@amyschaefer1140]

@@bobbun9630 To make them look better, you can cover the outside with burlap. Comes in rolls and is inexpensive. Happy gardening! 🌸

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Great suggestion!

[@sherismith4596]

Michelle, do you feel these metal raised beds get hotter than they would in a raised wood box? Has anyone had a temperature issue with the metal beds?

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Great question. I can only guess that they are warmer, but I haven't had any growing problems from heat.

[@jenbee1697]

Could rock or bricks be placed in the bottom to avoid the caving in problem?

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Great question. That might prevent the caving, but I think packing the lower base better would work. I think it's not a common problem. Thanks for the suggestion. Happy Gardening!

[@christianwhite4933]

What landscape fabric do you use

[@michelleinthemeadow]

This has served me well. DeWitt SBLT4300 Sunbelt Ground... www.amazon.com/dp/B004SI9RY0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@SharonBurnettArtisan]

I noticed in the background that you have a GreenStalk. Do you find that it was worth buying it and what have you grown in it? Thank you. BTW I'm in Central Florida zone 9b.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Yes. I love them - though I have not been as diligent in keeping them growing. Mostly, I've grown cilantro, basil, lettuce, and green onions. I just started working on them today for spring. Thanks for watching.

[@SharonBurnettArtisan]

Thanks for responding. I just finished watching Gary from The Rusted Garden and he was growing determinate tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Might need to save up for one later this year.

[@onemoredoll5791]

@@SharonBurnettArtisan I have one. They go on sale 1 day only every Mothers Day for $99. I planted strawberries in mine. I have parsley in a few pockets and they are doing amazing. Works good. Remember to fertilize with a bit of liquid fertilizer and check each tier every few days. I tend to water mine from above and often from the sides when it gets super hot in my zone 9a on the opposite coast of Michelle. I will buy another one this Mothers Day. Its great verticle space for my small back yard. I have super high winds (60 mph) and it never fell.

[@SharonBurnettArtisan]

@OneMore Doll I've seen a lot of people growing strawberries and herbs in the towers. But I was thinking something along the lines of bigger veggies. After watching Gary's video I see it's possible to grow the veggies I mentioned in my previous comment.

[@einthedatadog7]

Thank you for asking this! I’m in 9b central FL as well and I’ve been eyeballing that thing for my limited growing space!

[@bettyboop1524]

Hello, do these have bottoms or do you have to use cardboard, and weed barrier cloth? Thank you

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thanks for watching. They do not have bottoms. I don't use a weed barrier, I use cardboard instead. If you have digging critters, you may choose to use some hardware cloth under neath.

[@bettyboop1524]

I put a layer of cardboard and a layer of hardware cloth to keep out critters. I then put a layer of cardboard inside whatever boxes I had around, then filled with compost and potting soil. It seems to be working well. I did top off with compost and worm castings because o settling this spring, but still too early to plant.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

@bettyboop1524 Congrats! I know you're ready to get planting

[@sunshinejenny5536]

What about RUST? Did you put in the supports?

[@michelleinthemeadow]

I did put in supports, but we accidentally laid logs across them. Oops. In the newest version of the Birdies, I'm not seeing any rust vin the older version they were using different screws.

[@walterlodzinski6847]

Why did you put the logs on top of the support bars and not simply around and next to them etc. the one that’s more bowed likely just had heavier logs on the supports imo. Once saturated and wet they’d be quite heavy too haha. Also would rather them bow inward than outward lol

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Great question. The first time we filled the beds, that was simply a mistake. My helper and I were moving fast, and I just didn't notice until I saw a video replay. 😅 indeed.

[@walterlodzinski6847]

@@michelleinthemeadowah for sure that’s what I figured ha. Good to know for anyone reading too. I just grabbed the 42” circle for and apple tree ha

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Congratulations! And thank you for supporting the channel. I'd love to know how things keep on growing for you too.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Mark's video from @selfsufficientme kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKLRooZ4d72pg5I

[@sanjuansteve]

Round is the best (most naturally stable) shape.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Facts.

[@zoozercattacrezooz4646]

vego(vedge-o)

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Thanks.

[@shekharmoona544]

Why does no one put crushed terracotta in their beds?

[@michelleinthemeadow]

I don't have any. Tell me more about how that would work please.

[@shekharmoona544]

@@michelleinthemeadow terra Cotta absorbs moisture and releases it as it dries. I guess technically you could use other clays as well.

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Interesting. Hmmm. I may keep an eye out for more broken pots.

[@dillonqaphsiel7977]

I got four vego beds for 10 bucks each 😮

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Wow! How did you do that?

[@dillonqaphsiel7977]

Liquidation clearance. Just got super lucky

[@michelleinthemeadow]

Fantastic! Congrats!

[@melkon1an]

Michelle Jesus Christ come on

[@michelleinthemeadow]

LOL