• About
  • Archive
  • Contact
The Greening of Gavin
  • Home
  • Our Green Shop
    • Little Green Workshops
  • Green Workshops
    • Cheese Making
    • Soap Making
    • Soy Candle Making
  • eBooks
    • Clay Oven eBook
    • Keep Calm and Make Cheese eBook
  • Podcast
    • TGOG Podcast
    • TGoG Podcast Archive
    • Little Green Cheese
  • Vlog
  • Cheese
  • Green Living
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Soap Making
    • Recipes
    • Climate Change
    • Peak Oil
    • Solar Power
  • Resources

Yet Another Garden Bed!

January 11, 2014 @ 23:21 By Gavin Webber 5 Comments

When is enough, enough?  Well as far as I am concerned, you can never have enough veggie beds!

We had some space available in the pool area, so I decided that we could put in a small wicking bed for salad greens.  This bed is close to the back door so it is going to be idea for pick-and-come-again lettuce varieties.  The position is perfect and it will only get morning sun and then shade from about 1 pm onwards.

I searched through my wood pile and found some old hard red gum that I had saved from the kitchen renovation from a few years ago.  This wood needed to be pre-drilled before fastening it together.  There wasn’t enough of this red gum to make two layers, so I found some untreated pine that was so easy to cut and drill compared to the hardwood.

Garden bed made from scrap wood

Here is the bottom layer which will be resting on the old cement that used to surround the pool area. We couldn’t rip it up, so built on top of it instead.  Hopefully the hardwood with inhibit any rotting that may occur and it should last for a good many years.

And right at the back of this photo is the completed bed in situ.  I took a long shot to show it in relation to the shower base that I made last weekend for Kim.  The large pebbles came from a pile that we moved when we constructed the raised garden beds in the front yard.  Everything gets a second life around here!

This close up shows the bugle head screws that I used.  I fastened the wood with butt joints, and also fastened it vertically.  I back filled with some of the rock, and you would think it had always been there.

Tomorrow, if I get time, I will add a liner that I have in the shed and add the slotted ag pipe and fit a filling tube.  I have some spare soil that I saved from the front yard beds, so I have all the makings.  It is not going to be the deepest wicking bed, but it will suffice for lettuce greens as they have shallow roots.

After this weeks heat wave passes, forecast between 35 to 42 C all week, I will plant it out to give the seedlings a chance.

It just goes to show that you can squeeze in an edible garden bed just about anywhere.

-37.6777778144.5686375

Will this article help someone you know? If so help them out by sharing now!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Gardening, reuse, vegetables

← TGoG Podcast 049 – Bee Keeping in the ‘burbs with Mick O’Connell Green Quick Tips – Worm, Bottle Water, Bathrooms, and Kitchen Waste →

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Frogdancer says

    January 12, 2014 at 07:11

    I agree – never too many veggie beds!
    I’m convinced wicking beds / boxes are the way to go. The sheer abundance of the growth in the wicking beds here compared to the soil beds is unbelievable.
    Now that I’ve paid off the mortgage, my attention is turning to investments and PROJECTS. This place will be a food forest come hook or by crook!

    Reply
  2. Sue@lessnoise-moregreen says

    January 12, 2014 at 08:03

    Hi Gavin,
    When you design a bed like this, specifically for a particular crop, what do you do about crop rotation? Do you rotate or amend the soil and grow the same crop again? I’m curious, because I grew potatoes in a perfect spot this year, under a pine tree and would like to amend and grow them there again next season, but I’m worried about a drop in yield. What do you think? Thanks, as always for your time!
    Sue

    Reply
  3. rabidlittlehippy says

    January 12, 2014 at 08:12

    You only have too many veggie beds when you are growing more than you can eat and give away or more than you can manage fulltime! 😉 Your salad bed sounds great and it will be a great place to sit and munch fresh from the garden too. Would your shallow garden be deep enough to plant those little bulb carrots too? I know they lack the deep taproot and they also tolerate less sun too I believe. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Lynda D says

    January 12, 2014 at 10:44

    Now that is a great small project with long term benefits. Perfect location for lettuces. All that sunlight reflected off the pool and heat from the wall, me thinks that it will be great in winter also.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Building a Wicking Bed on Concrete - The Greening of Gavin says:
    April 26, 2014 at 18:00

    […]  I built the frame out of spare wood I had lying around and wrote about it in this post titled Yet Another Garden Bed!, way back in January.  Yes, I know that it has been four months, but I had to find a spare day in […]

    Reply

Comments build lively communities. Let me know your thoughts, but keep it clean and green! Spam is removed instantly. Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search This Blog

Follow my work

About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

Delve Into the Archives

Visit Our Online Simple Living Shop

Little Green Workshops

Latest Podcast Episode

Subscribe on iTunes

Top Posts & Pages

The Seven Stages Of Change
How To Remove Scaly Leg Mites
Curing Black Olives
Building a Wicking Bed on Concrete
Growing Queensland Blue Pumpkins (Winter Squash)
Curing Olives
Selling Your Own Soap in Australia
Black Aphids On Garlic
About
Chicken Hygiene

Recent Awards

Recent Awards

Local Green Hero

Categories

Favourite Daily Reads

Debt Free, Cashed Up, and Laughing

The Off-Grid Solar House

Greener Me

The Rogue Ginger

Little Eco Footprints

Down To Earth

Surviving the Suburbs

Little Green Cheese

Eight Acres

The Witches Kitchen

TGOG Readers On-line

Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

Carbon Offset website

Copyright - Gavin Webber © 2023