How to Fill Raised Vegetable Garden Beds and SAVE Money

In this video, I show how you can fill a raised vegetable garden bed and save money on soil costs! In this example, I filled my raised garden bed practically for free!
Go here to get Birdies Raised Garden beds (featured in the video) in the USA: shop.epicgarde... and use SSME2020 for a 5% discount.
In Australia, go to birdiesgardenp... and use Code SSMEbird for a 5% discount. In New Zealand, go to birdiesgardenp... and use Code ssmebird22 for 5% off your first purchase.
Plant Doctor Fertiliser: Go to www.plantdocto... and use SSME10 = 10% off products (not shipping).
Ocean2earth Fish Compost: Enter the discount code SSME5 at checkout on their Website here ocean2earth.co... and get a 5% discount on the 1.5L and 3L bags plus free shipping Australia wide!
Harvest Right freeze dryer website: affiliates.har...
For Australian freeze dryer purchase info use the same link above and then contact Harvest Right directly.
Support me on Patreon: / selfsufficientme (the top tier $25 AU enables mentoring from yours truly via an exclusive VIP email where I will answer your questions etc ASAP).
Hoselink Garden Products such as hose reels go here l.linklyhq.com... and you will automatically get a 10% discount on checkout!
My second channel Self Sufficient Me 2: bit.ly/331edDu
New (third) Channel: Self Suffishing Me bit.ly/2LiIWqt
Help support the Channel and buy a T-shirt/Merchandise from our Spreadshirt shop: bit.ly/3lmqMkr or Teespring bit.ly/3neEYO8
Check out www.gardentoolsnow.com/ for tools such as the Prong I recommend to use.
Shop for plants or garden equip on eBay Australia: bit.ly/2BPCykb
Extra raised bed content I mentioned in the video:
Hugelkultur • How To Hügelkultur AMA...
10 Reasons why raised beds are the best • 10 Reasons Why Raised ...
Stay positive and build a raised vegetable garden bed • Stay Positive & Build ...
How to quickly prepare a garden bed • How to QUICKLY Prepare...
Blog: www.selfsuffici... (use the search bar on my website to find info on certain subjects or gardening ideas)
Forum: www.selfsuffici...
Facebook: / selfsufficie. .
Twitter: / sufficientme
Subscribe to my channel: 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). 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 :)

[@michaelougarezos8963]

i suffered with severe depression after losing my darling 4 years ago.Thanks to you i have taken up veggie gardening and fully enjoy it. Thank you Mark

[@pipellis6672]

Best wishes from a Welshman gardening in France. Be happy, enjoy happy memories and great veggies.

[@stellaq3306]

Good for you. Very fulfilling.

[@ms.farmgirl]

MIchael, Loss is difficult no matter what type it is. Also staying "indoors" and without being in the sunlight, too long contributed to depression. The more light and open air exposure the better for your overall mental & emotional health. Gardening is one of the best organic healers we find in existence. That is why Depression/Anxiety of Gardeners/Farmers is so low it is nearly non-existent, unless they are in financial “make or break” factors situations. If your livelihood [$$] is on the edge then it puts them in a different category. Just general Gardening/Farming is the best Mental Health exercise known to mankind. Even if people are only Gardening in containers on their patio's, or on their sidewalks and paths. it is still excellent sunlight exposure [Vitamin D] and a calming effect on the psyche. I wish you all the luck and success in your GREEN THUMB future.

[@michaelougarezos8963]

@@ms.farmgirl Thank you Suzzy i am feeling much better now but i will always belong to my wife in this world as i know she is waiting for me in the next life.

[@jamaicaninthekitchen4358]

Hi I try juicing celery and see it it helps your depression ,you can add other greens as well,I I heard a herbalist saying it helps to calm the body

[@chrism3790]

I must say it's nice to have Russel Crowe giving me gardening tips.

[@pollitolatino77]

😆

[@joycekennedy5252]

Lol

[@davidjonas4040]

Im new to this channel and a vid about gladiator tomatoes, his favorite kind. Made me laugh.

[@purpleluna8413]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 I know who would ever though Russel Crowe would give up the movie business for gardening 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@aliaub75]

Can someone give this guy his own tv show....legend!

[@Pyxe_ZA]

You know what I like about your videos? It’s the fact that you don’t ramble on about nonsense for 90% of the video, and give the helpful content at the last 10% of the video. You get right into it #👍🏼 and make the entire video pleasant and satisfying to watch, without any unnecessary sciences 🙄. Always my go to guide whenever I need a second opinion “other than my own 🤣”. Good man👍🏼👌🏽. Keep it coming

[@rockingrogershomestead]

I definitely ramble on. I need to get better about that as well as just working on better content.

[@FootFungusTreatment_Tao]

Once the yard waste is in place, add layers of newspaper or cardboard to smother any weeds or grass that might come through. This is an inexpensive way to create a barrier and prevent weeds from growing. After that, it's time to add soil. Look for bulk soil in your area, which is usually cheaper than buying bags of soil at a store. Be sure to mix the soil with compost to add nutrients and organic matter to the bed. Another way to save money when filling raised vegetable garden beds is to use organic straw bales. Remove the wire from the bales and use them as the bottom layer of the bed. Straw is an excellent organic material that will break down over time and improve the soil. In the following years, simply add more garden soil and maybe some straw mixed in to keep the bed healthy and productive. By using these simple methods, you can fill your raised garden beds without breaking the bank.

[@horationelson298]

But when he does ramble i love it 😂

[@suewapp3001]

Really enjoy your videos, information is great, I am envious if your area to garden. Inspirational info and so much practical info.

[@Luuminous_Luu]

😂😂😂love the Aussie humour. “A much younger me of yesterday”. Love it. In all seriousness this is so informative!! I just started doing this veggie garden thing. Maybe one day I can get on an off the grid lifestyle!

[@lacplesis484]

This man is a legend.

[@Laachyy]

bet protams :)

[@jeyofronda5973]

Well he is Russell Crowe.

[@MrPaulviles]

When he eats a banana he becomes Banana Man!

[@muthusingaramramanathan55]

jeyo fronda P

[@theorangebaron1595]

YES!

[@joshuawoolridge8378]

Gotta be one of the best gardening and gandeners on all of YT. Friendly demeanor and great knowledge, well delivered too

[@databang]

🦻I appreciate the attention to your subtitles, “leaves crunch”, “soil falls into wheelbarrow”, “spade scrapes against the wheelbarrow”, “spade crunches into soil”, “birds chirp”, “water sprays”.

[@veronicavatter6436]

Get you someone who thinks your raised beds are cute. That's love right there!

[@RuskiVodkaaaa]

This is probably the best channel I've discovered by accidents in the last few years. You've earned this sub 👍

[@MelGill]

Thank you! I have saved myself a lot of grief just by listening to your videos!

[@ambranaidoo8666]

I enjoy your videos. They are so interesting and relaxing. I tend to enjoy gardening even more.

[@earthyring4393]

That slow mo dirt flip made me laugh and almost choke on coffee. These videos really are some of the best ways to learn about gardening, I will definitely be mirroring some of the techniques i've seen on your channel this year. I want to grow enough food to be self sufficient for a year, but the growing times in The Great State Of Maine are not very optimal. You have helped many more people than just me travel on the path to healthy living, so thank you for making these videos and allowing people like me to learn from your experience.

[@rachellee5797]

Maine grows rocks right? :p

[@earthyring4393]

@@rachellee5797 Your not wrong about that, seems like there's rocks everywhere here, but wild harvested stone makes for good looking and essentially free landscaping material. Also, Maine does ship tonnes of dirt/stone and land fill to places like Massachusetts every year, so you could say we have a thriving rock market.

[@queenelcene638]

@earthy ring 👩‍🦳🙋‍♀️👁read and👍both of your comments. I concur on the 1st and enjoyed your classy, informative repost, to the joker. Good on you, and good on Maine, for creatively filling the State's coffers. Cheers from Michigan, the 2 mitten State!

[@devinwordell9544]

Looks away from garden for a night, wind blows all the pinemeedles for miles around into your garden.

[@AmericaFirstNow]

I know what you mean. zone 5 here.

[@carolinegathercole8473]

I always fill pots and raised beds with weeds veg scraps shredded paper grass, not only does it help fill them up it helps with drainage. Plant roots only need about a 12” depth or less . All compost will eventually compact at the base, so frequent mixing and turning is essential

[@Hugo-lm7ed]

Wow the log drainage is like an underground ecosystem full of nutrients for the plants especially when their roots touches it.

[@angelau1194]

Check out Sepp Holzer in Austira he farms up a mountain and uses Hugelkulture (the log drainage) you should see the stuff he grows! Love Mark's channel too : )

[@Baffi_]

Hugelkulture !!!

[@Hugo-lm7ed]

Ohhh it doesnt act like a drainage like rocks do but the opposite. It holds moisture

[@jaredbackus1416]

For years to come by The time that stuff breaks down it'll be black as night full of nutrition and goodness

[@eskay3345]

Those wood roaches scare me . It’s a phobia

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

I'm half watching just for the accent. The Aussie accent is the coolest there is. _G'd day, mate._ Oh, and thanks for saving me time and money. I would have filled mine with high quality $$$ soil.

[@gregorylow3562]

Always have a soft spot for Aussie from my days in Vietnam. Have been a fan since I moved to southern Oregon. Building my raised now. Thank you

[@TheFirstAstroGirl]

Anyone else just discover this man today and are now on their 10th or so video? Addictive!

[@nataliedowd5568]

Haha. Yes!!!!

[@marykill4923]

@@nataliedowd5568 me too

[@jaxcortez5100]

I discovered him from the Epic Gardening channel who recommended him on one of his videos. Now I’m addicted to watching them both.

[@adriankap2978]

Love this idea! Using the yard resources to fill is genius! For those who don’t my Neighbor friend is building a 3ft tall raised bed and going to add organic straw bales (wire removed) on the bottom layer. There’s a farm nearby where they’re $4 ea. It’ll completely break down by the next season. It saves in cost the first yr so next yr they just add more garden soil and maybe straw mixed in.

[@kathynix6552]

Straw bale gardening is a thing

[@mariazucchero9123]

Thank you for showing us your gardening skills. We are very thanful we watch your video .thank you for sharing that others like us can learn to become sustainable and self sufficient of growing gardening. Have a wonderful day!God bless you! from Michigan!

[@Banana2324]

You're videos are always reliable and straight to the point. Keep it up Sir and God bless you always💓

[@taniajuedes7621]

Never would.have thought of putting logs to fill a bed. Great idea!

[@someonefamous8671]

"Oh crickey, look at those worms!" Love the channel, thanks for the info as I'm building a raised garden bed in Arizona!

[@FootFungusTreatment_Tao]

When it comes to filling raised vegetable garden beds, using yard resources is a great way to save money. Start by clearing the area where the bed will be located. If there are grass clippings or leaves, use them as the first layer of the garden bed. This organic matter will break down over time and add nutrients to the soil. Next, use any yard waste, such as branches, sticks, or small logs, as a second layer. This will help with drainage and aeration in the soil.

[@dennismoyoconsultant7369]

I love gardening and I follow fellow gardeners. Mark, "Self Sufficient me" is marvelous. He loves gardening, he talks from know how, he has experience, uses simple language everyone can understand. Rest assured, outside there, some one is practicing from your tutorials. Be Blessed.

[@FootFungusTreatment_Tao]

There are many yard resources that can be used to fill raised beds, such as leaves, grass clippings, and even fallen branches. These materials can be collected for free, and when they break down, they will add valuable nutrients to the soil. Composting is another way to create a nutrient-rich soil amendment from yard waste. This can be done by simply piling up yard waste and letting it decompose over time. Composting can take several months, so it's important to plan ahead and start early. Another way to save money on filling raised beds is to use organic materials such as straw bales or hay. These materials are relatively inexpensive and can be used to fill the bottom layer of the raised bed. As they break down over time, they will add organic matter to the soil and help retain moisture. If you're worried about weed seeds in the straw, you can add a layer of cardboard or newspaper on top before adding the soil. This will prevent weeds from germinating and help to suppress their growth. By using yard resources and organic materials to fill raised beds, you can save money and create a healthy, productive garden.

[@prestin6798]

I love how resourceful you are. I too love to be resourceful and save money where can.

[@DanBoergeJensen]

I'm about to start trying to use raised garden beds. Before watching this, I naively assumed that I should fill the entire thing with with the bagged high quality dirt. Good thing I saw this before getting started, that will save me a lot of money.

[@jayecurry1369]

Yea, I think everybody thinks that before they learn better.

[@RichardJohnson-cg2ix]

Me too Great ideas.

[@burritosamigos4548]

Same

[@rebeccaketner816]

Exactly! Also in SoCal you have to prevent gophers from going up into the bed by starting with 1/2# cage wire

[@quintinmarsters1609]

I just started. I removed old bark a few weeks ago. I could of used at the base. Great video.

[@jazylou]

I like his no bullshit gardening approach. its all about common sense, easy to do steps. Love it! Thanks mate.

[@denisebrady6858]

Try getting an answer to a question because we can't

[@roflstomps324]

@@denisebrady6858 What?

[@denisebrady6858]

@@roflstomps324 Rolf I have asked numerous question to Mark & have never once received a reply & this also goes for another gardener that emailed me. We live in Brisbane Northside which is Sub-Tropical near Mark & just have no idea why no answers as I have given him my Email / Mobile number etc. If you now why please let me know. Cheers Denise

[@roflstomps324]

@@denisebrady6858 I don't mean to sound mean or obtuse but why would he? What's his obligation?

[@jazylou]

@@denisebrady6858 Hi Denise, If you see the large amount of comments below us, I think it would simply get lost amongst the rest. He is but one person. I wouldnt take it personally. I think hes giving us a beautiful dose of knowledge that we can utilize in our own garden. Abit of research goes along way also. He doesn't live anywhere near me so I have to figure out things that suit my area, zone etc. Good luck, maybe post your questions again in a local garden forum?

[@ianmanson2477]

This guy is a crack up & has the best videos. A Full Thumbs Up 👍 Much Love 😀

[@LordDigz12]

Based on my limited knowledge of Ozzie culture, I imagine Mark was quite the beast on the old rugby field back in the day.

[@TheFourthWinchester]

Probably was more into cricket.

[@christait50]

I think rugby too

[@michellem634]

I just found this channel and thank God I did. I've been using mainly soil. My garden isn't very deep but I could have saved hundreds of dollars knowing these small yet helpful and efficient tricks.

[@mariacitronvert3477]

This is a wonderful video. My raised veg garden will be on a smaller scale, but I appreciate learning how to layer it with a variety of materials - some that I already have! I love the care he shows for his worms. It's true, though - healthy insects are a reflection of how successful a garden bed is. Thank you so much, for making this very helpful video, Mark (from Self-Sufficient Me)!

[@ourisolife8613]

I've watched this vid like 100x over the yrs thinking one day I'll fill my raised bed Mark's style, premiuim mix and with the classic shovel and wheelbarrow. Yep 5m3 later, my back and arms have given in. Oh the regret. Pile was delivered 25m away in the front yard too 😭😭. Just realised it's now 3 yrs since this vid and you're now using machinery to lift!!! Oh m hope it's worth it. Can't wait to grow all the things now.. Just give me a couple of days

[@kaledonian]

I love your videos, man. No bullshitting, straight to the topic with some interesting facts and humour, and I love how you try to do gardening in harmony with nature (f.e. worms). Keep up the good work, wish you and your family the very best! Cheers from Hungary

[@bobbreit5244]

Hello from sunny California USA! Love your enthusiasm. I enjoy your videos.

[@vward4871]

How perfectly well-timed! Im ready to fill my first raised bed today! Greetings from Chicago, USA!!

[@_g7085]

Hello from a raised bed gardener in the Chicago south suburbs. Hope it worked out for you : )

[@frocksandscrubsadvanceecoc3533]

Fantastic tutorial. I am a huge fan in the Caribbean. Keep up the great work.

[@jfkesq]

I just started my first raised garden bed and I'm filling it up today. Timely video. Thanks!!

[@Selfsufficientme]

All the best with your new raised bed John! :)

[@michellecunniffe980]

I used mulch for my base as there is a lot of free mulch in our area (Sydney). I agree with not using gravel as your beds are tall enough that it would take a lot of rain the flood it. It would seep into the ground. Love these videos and very informative.

[@cavanclark3687]

I called a company that removes trees and asked them if they had wood chips that they were wanting to dispose of. Their shop isn't that far from my house and they have tons of the stuff and can't get rid of it so they brought their truck over and dumped it into my back yard. I just filled up the wheelbarrow and filled the beds about 3/4 of the way full and then put topsoil from my yard on top of that. It's been about 8 years now and the level has gone down a few inches but I've replaced that with some other top soil from a landscaping company that removed the sod from a neighbor's back yard in order to install an irrigation system. The sod came with about an inch of soil under it so I just folded it into a compost pile until it degraded down and then put it on top of my garden. The wood chips soak of the rain and slowly release it into the soil above but it doesn't rot away because of the low oxygen environment.

[@Annekarla]

I signed up on line for “chip drop” 1 week later A very large pile of mulch was dumped in front of the house of chipped cypress. It was wonderful! Free!

[@BunnyLang]

I really like watching your videos. Thank you. I live in a very different climate, in the desert of northern California, US, lol, but really your videos are helping me understand how to use what I have and have caused me to do further research for what will work here. Particularly these ideas of growing food from food from the grocery store. For one, we really do not know what we are buying, so that opened my eyes.

[@jharbo1]

Howdie from the States! In a word, gorgeous! So much great information even tho we live half a world apart, the tenets of growing work everywhere. Thanks for the big tip on filling a raised bed on the cheap.

[@tomwong3324]

I like these straightforward , knowledgeable, practical, and cheerful "self-sufficient me" garden videos!

[@emeraldfox76]

Can't wait to try this out! The soil here is pretty bad and rocky, there's remnants from where the previous owners of the house tried to do a traditional garden, but it didn't appear they had much luck with it. Definitely will be looking into some raised beds, and hopefully I can find a good way to keep the deer out.

[@PBarrPrince]

Excellent video! I don't have be raised beds but I alot of what you said applies to what I'm doing too, container gardening. Tell me what you think about this: I needed soil to transplant some spring onions into but I didn't have much on hand. So, I used leaf mold, some soil from under the leaf mold, peat moss, some bagged inground potting soil (all I had on hand), mature homemade compost, a little Black Kow and a little bulb fertilizer I had on hand. No telling what I've ended up with. Lol. Do you think my onions will survive and do well in this conviction? I'm figuring that the rich organic matter is the most important thing. You're very experienced and I'm still in the beginner phase. Lol. I really appreciate getting to ask advice from someone like you. Great video and you're very personable and easy to listen to. Thanks for not filling your video with random jabbering. Lol. I've subscribed.

[@paintingtracey]

You are such a bright spot in a dark time. Thanks so much, you make this bearable and give us something to do and hope for:)

[@christopherfernandes4401]

I should have watched this video before I started my raised garden beds. I filled each one from top to bottom with garden soil from bags purchased at garden nursery in Nova Scotia, Canada. It was expensive,and took over 200 bags of soil.

[@stevenmichael4124]

Love your work! Would be good to see more videos on growing fruit trees in pots as I only have a court yard.

[@florinnegru8104]

I really appreciate your videos. Thank you for sharing!

[@Rouverius]

Reminds of my old man's advice every time we would lay sod, "Green side up, son."😁

[@morningwoodfarms713]

😆

[@Christopher-xd5in]

I just noticed your solar panel system. Would be nice if you could do a little tour of it. Love your passion for self reliance and sustainability.

[@Wyvern_2]

Me 3 seconds after watching any new video from this channel: I can't wait until the next video is out!

[@angela-sanders]

Brilliant. I came looking for ideas to fill up the raised beds I am doing this year and after reading about using rocks and gravel, I kept looking and found you. Just brilliant! You have me as a subscriber now. thank you!

[@Savedbygrace2128]

Sir, you are a true gem! Thank you so much for all the incredible information you share. I’ve learned so much just in the last couple of weeks from watching your channel and I know without people like you being so willing to share decades worth of hard earned knowledge, I’d be so lost on how to even start growing my garden. Best of luck to you and your family!

[@FootFungusTreatment_Tao]

filling raised vegetable garden beds doesn't have to be expensive. By using yard resources such as grass clippings, leaves, and branches, along with bulk soil and compost, you can create a healthy bed that will provide a great harvest. Using organic straw bales as the bottom layer is also an excellent way to save money and improve the soil. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can have a thriving garden without spending a lot of money.

[@dougrowell7817]

I like that some of Mark's advice is at odds with the masses. It does add confusion, but hey, if it works... I had some earthworks done and used the clay (with gypsum added) to fill the bottom half of my beds (about 400mm) and put premium vege/herb potting mix on the top. Only just planted out. Set up my worm farm and a Maze Compost Tumbler the same as Mark reviewed in one of his vids. True to form as he is in not always being a 'conformist', he put the barrel in back to front from the instructions!! Onya Mark.

[@matthewtwright84]

I have a 12 foot trailer full of soil to shovel today. Maybe we need a self sufficient work out video.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Good for the biceps! ;)

[@matthewtwright84]

@@Selfsufficientme you ain't kiddin. I might have to take a post raised bed filling muscle picture in my new self sufficient me shirt when it gets here.

[@SSODP]

@@matthewtwright84 I've got Myself a 'ramp' out of some scrap wood, drive the barrow on it and then simply empty it, no need to shovel back and forth save your back - Work smart ! Cheers

[@jaredbackus1416]

@JW L yes stay away from those. Regular wood lasts a long time Enough time for you to throw your change in a can to save for the next round of chemical free wood. Even better is rough cut lumber!!! I use pallets my self Make sure they have "HT burned/stamped onto the sides HT=heat treated Safe for your garden

[@Moosehung]

Full thumbs up and a firm handshake to you good sir, I am new to the channel and I am thoroughly enjoying the content. I am now setup in my new home on a 1500m2 section, all be it far from flat and not the best for planting I am quite keen to get some solid garden beds fired up here. The fresh water supply from the creek that runs through and the rain water capture system built in to the house will help the self sufficiency a lot. Good green times ahead!

[@reycroucher7473]

Bless for making this, I’ve been trying to figure out how to fill my raised beds on next to no money and this video saved my wallet

[@pvp6077]

Same

[@caroleshaw9822]

Same here Rey. I have a little tin garden bed and really wanting to set it up and get growing....Now that I know I can put off cuts in the bottom, that is really going to help me on the finance side of things. This video was very inspiring to watch. Thank you!

[@cherylbowen4229]

Getting ready to fill a three foot deep by six foot round natural dip in the ground by my greenhouse and turn it into a flower bed. I didn’t want to buy a ton of potting soil and wanted to do it on the cheap so going to try this :) I have a dozen or more mature foxgloves that came up from seed spilled under my shed building and didn’t want them to flower under there so going to transplant them into this new flower bed :) Love your channel :)

[@KabeStark]

Awesome videos! been watching for a few years now from Argentina. I dont even have a garden..

[@PiaPirate]

But you'll be good prepared when you have one in the future!

[@KabeStark]

@@PiaPirate For sure! This +10 hours i invested watching his videos are worth it!

[@KabeStark]

@Boop I have an Hydroponic sistem in my balcony. but i still dream about his kind of garden

[@JoseRodriguez-qc5jr]

Get a mini garden like me, is all I can afford 🤣😂👍

[@bcl3341]

I live in the subtropics as well and I love this channel. I'll put this on before I go to bed 😁

[@brittanyhicks5814]

Love your videos, keeps me motivated with my own garden. It's looking better than ever before, and now expanding! Please keep posting 😁

[@sharitate7876]

This is so valuable! Sensible methods to get around the overwhelming amount of store bought soil (and its high price tag) it takes to fill a bed.

[@Bits_Bobs]

"A full thumbs up" coming your way

[@shawtop]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4fUnqeXq6eop8U

[@ProfesserLuigi]

I only had half a thumb to spare, sorry.

[@joedunne6737]

Great, thank you from Ireland. Pay no attention to the "Thumbs down" people, they're on every KZbin video.

[@meilim6735]

Love your channel. I live in an apartment with a tiny balcony so a lot of your projects won't work for me but your tips on filling the base of containers with woody waste, direct sowing seeds, and mulching are all adaptable for balcony gardens and working really well! (Used tea leaves make really good mini-mulch for balcony planters hahaha)

[@vasemacarokomanu]

Thank you so much for sharing your tips on raised beds. I'm enjoying your videos and am seriously thinking of starting a few... and I love your sense of humour. Thanks Mark! I'm watching from Fiji.

[@Mulberrysmile]

One thing I recommend for anyone who has voles, moles, or burrowing mice is to put hardware cloth down first, put the bed frame on top of it, then add the soil. I fought in the Great Mole War of 2006 and lost badly, lol!

[@jimandmissylima9789]

Thanks for the suggestion, we fight with burrowing mice, tiny squirrels and moles in Southern California.

[@seedylee]

@@jimandmissylima9789 yes my gophers are annoying. get the right hardware cloth width, i think i got 1/4 inch, not 1/2.

[@travis5452]

I hear that stainless steel lasts a lot longer, but how long will the less expensive material last?... It can be hard to find 48 inches wide with 1/4 inch mesh. (Or even 1/2 inch.)

[@robotnik77]

Maybe put mesh wire on top of the black cloth, then your mix? but if you have a family of raccoons, then that increases the problem 10x. They can climb the box.

[@Lengsel7]

Nail/fasten it to the bottom.

[@tedbaker8291]

Wouldn't it help settle the fill if you watered each layer in, just a bit? The fill and soil looked kinda dry, so watering could help worms, bugs, fungi, etc.

[@natalielambert3403]

Thanks so much for all of your informative, simple and fun videos! I have a question about ergonomics. I've just started learning about no dig / raised bed / market gardening and I wonder why more people don't build waist-height raised beds like you do, to avoid having to bend over so often. It seems as though most jobs would be easier, or as easy to do with a waist-high bed VS ground-height bed. With the exception possibly of filling the bed for the first time and amending with compost. I am a total beginner so I feel like I must be missing something. What are your thoughts? Thanks again, cheers from Canada! 😊

[@schmeegledee]

The coolest Aussie gardener

[@sidneyh.l.5890]

Off topic, but I feel like he would give a good hug, he has such a gentle manner

[@tannisjohnson6456]

Definitely a good hugger

[@laura91939597]

🥰

[@Phahel7]

My mate recently said he's the Dad you wished you had

[@toinettehenry4025]

Think he's giving good info. Easy 2 understand. Demonstrates as he goes. Will watch him again. Ur American friend. Txs 4 ur time & info Tee

[@jonathanwiggins5366]

100%

[@luzvimindarivera8397]

mark ur very good in gardening i admire u really

[@GraemeGosse]

I'm laughing at your sink hole analogy, this is exactly what happened to me

[@aidiaa]

I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on this mans knowledge for so long.

[@chickenfoot713]

I’ve been getting so much from your channel for a few years now and I just wanna say keep up the good work, I’m so glad to see so many people catching on to your channel during this crisis. Thank you for everything you do and stay safe!!!

[@carolineclark5369]

thanks buddy, gardening all important nowadays, more than ever

[@johnnytungsong8719]

Excellent vids, one after another! I’ve learned so much, even after gardening for years. Mark makes it seem so easy, although I know that if we put the hard work in, using the tips from Mark, we will harvest so much more! If there’s ONE country that I want to visit, it would be Oz, as the everyday people seem very friendly and chilled, plus they seem to have brilliant ideas on self sufficiency. Shame that their Government, especially in Victoria , are complete RsOles!

[@continuousself-improvement1879]

I am getting into growing vegetables and I come to the conclusion that crouching just isn't worth the pain. All the other videos say "raised garden beds", but not that much raised, really. You are, AFAIK, the only one who consistently use these high walls for the beds. I will copy this style, definitely.

[@cathleenlewis3334]

So pleased to have found this channel, thanks. Just the well presented knowledge I needed to start us off with some raised beds. Great groundwork, it's going to be a better year in the garden

[@amberdey1763]

This was useful. I always wanted to know how to fill the raised beds from scratch.

[@Mrs.TJTaylor]

Whew! That was a lot of work! Of course, it will last for years.

[@cuebj]

Text pop up about bulk buying topsoil instead of bags was, surprisingly, wrong 4 years ago in south east London. Tonne bags of topsoil, manure, compost were all more expensive than large bags from local Thompson garden centre and Wickes building store

[@MaximumSpice]

What an awesome Australian channel, no bullshit, no click bait. Good on ya mate!

[@tinymompj]

Love This! Learned SO much in just 2 videos!! Thanks!!

[@floridasungarden3308]

Such a great video. Im always trying to figure out how to not spend a fortune on filling my garden bed. This is genius.

[@potsylvania]

Love your video. I just wanted to say.. from high school biology class.. earth worms have five hearts, and can be divided to make more worms, so don't worry about cutting them up.. you might even want to try.

[@00008Amanda]

I love how he loves the earthworms. A real gardener with a great heart 💜

[@nk-dw2hm]

That was one of the most energetic worms I've seen!

[@dontall71]

My Granpa used to say that earthworms were the best workers he ever had. They never complain and work for free, 24-7

[@ih82bfake]

That gives me some worm feelings!

[@tracycrider7778]

@@ih82bfake yasssssss💜

[@johncline3033]

Great video as always. I just started picking peppers and bean and squash. Start picking blueberries tomorrow. South Louisiana

[@erikmilburn51]

Just what i was looking for....got a backyard full of old tree roots,so raised beds are the go,thanks for all your hard earned advice.

[@amandajane8227]

WE have continual problems with buffalo grass coming up the raised bed. Their roots are quite happy to feed in way down. So we have to clear out the bed regularly. I would never put grass on the the base.

[@nickbezanson3549]

One of the absolute best personalities on KZbin! Keep up the great work Mark! Even though our growing zones are completely different I've gained a ton of valuable information and I thank you for that. Cheers from the east coast of Canada!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thank you Nicholas! Cheers mate :)

[@benkohl219]

Mark is awesome! Love his tips and methods

[@RobotToaster]

I've never seen a man so happy to have worms

[@winterstorm3578]

You obviously never went fishing?

[@ladybee3071]

I was making a organic compost inside my apartment..had been working with it close to a year now..afew days ago I went to add some fresh scrap to it and saw worms in it..i almost passed out lol(don't much care about worms) anyway I told my son I was gonna throw my years work of compost out..he said momma you kidding that's good for the soil.that I always ready knew however I cannot use it for my inside potting.so disappointed.now after viewing this awesome vid about a raised bed that I was in the process of doing I guess my compost full of worms will me just right.

[@jgomez5963]

haha he is awesome!

[@stefanomoretti3664]

i overdid it the first time: partially composted material, some green grass, branches, compost. It's still heating. Probably good in winter time in northern emisphere but nothing more than that

[@erikmilburn51]

My wife thought worms were bad and used to take them out of the soil,i explained to her how they broke down organic plants and bugs and turned them into nutrients for plants,and showed her your videos....now she gathers them up and puts them around her favourite plants....thanks Mark.

[@Helga-fe5xl]

No way! 😅

[@kina7128]

😂

[@bonsatago9220]

That was rather adorable, good on you two 👍🏾❤️

[@wrongfullyaccused7139]

The intestines of the earth

[@nancystrickland5507]

Thanks for all the help. Great beds!!!

[@sethtamwood5202]

Ah man, I can't wait to move...I'm excited to get into gardening in a raised bed! Got any tips for planting strawberries in one of those?

[@Mulberrysmile]

If you want it to be a strawberry bed, make sure to put the first plants well spaced. Strawberries put out runners that create new plants. Also, because strawberries are perennial, it is harder to add soil as a new bed settles. Strawberry plants have a section that should not be buried, called the crown, which is right at the top of the roots. If you have add soil, you’ll have to dig out the plants and replant them, so make sure you water well, add more soil, water again, add soil until it looks like the bed level is stabilized. Don’t over mulch or use big wood mulch on top, as that will prevent the runners from rooting easily and new plants will struggle to grow. If you can find some buckwheat hulls, or even use something lightweight like chopped leaves or straw as mulch. This is based upon my experience with wood mulch, which I totally regret putting on my veggie gardens. Definitely use a mulch, but one that breaks down faster.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Strawberries grow well in raised beds (actually they can grow well just about anywhere) but having them able to sprawl out in a raised bed at waist height makes them easy to manage and if you live in an area where they can grow all year you can let them put out runners and regrow naturally due to the extra space in one of these beds. Cheers :)

[@debrafuller5693]

Lots of fun with gardening! Thanks

[@nataliparker3399]

Mark, you are awesome ! Love your knowledge and how much you like working with earth. It is very helpful to know how to build raised veggie beds. I’m going to do it for my parents house. Thanks again for this video.

[@CalTheKiwi1]

Brilliant. Keep ‘em coming, Digger🙏