VEGETABLE GARDENS

Custom Raised Vegetable Garden 

This garden was an experiment, in that i wasn't quite sure whether it was going to work.  All aluminium box section construction from offcuts from my work allowed me to construct a frame in which a layer of fly mesh material was placed. Gaps between the box section provided adequate drainage and the fly mesh prevented the soil mix from falling through. 

I used a Vegetable garden mix for the free draining soil medium, and added a variety of manures and later on home made compost to boost the properties.  The quite sandy base soil meant that watering needed to be quite frequent. This was combated by mixing in some Bentonite (clay) with a slow release fertiliser. Combined with an adequate layer of Sugar Cane Mulch, watering could be limited to once every two days.

This Garden has been so productive, and has out-performed all expectations: Have a look at the Crops of tomatoes Etc:

The best thing about this system as opposed to a traditional raised bed is that a two tier planting arrangement can occur. Lower areas on the south facing side can hold shade loving ornamental's, while stainless steel cable at the front and top sections allow for the plants that require support like beans, tomatoes, eggplant.  One of the other bonuses is that you do not require such a deep profile of soil with this system. Most vegetables and plants in general have all the high nutrient up take roots in the upper soil layer just beneath the surface.  No need for deep profiles.