🖼️
The project:
I’m a beginner to DIY & gardening but I got fed up paying for produce. I wanted to create an edible garden, on a budget.
The sunniest area in my garden is graveled, so I decided to create upcycled, raised planter boxes. I collected discarded pallets from my local Bunnings, lined them with weed matting, then filled them with organic material. I planted different seeds into square foot sections.
I installed an irrigation system, with a timer on the tap, so it wouldn't suffer from my neglect and trips away.
I love the result. If I can do it, anyone can!
- Materials:
Pallet box (stamped as Heat Treated) - or DIY like this one.
Builders plastic or Weed matting
Staples
Twigs, leaves, dirt & compost
Fertiliser
Twine
Stakes
Variety of seeds
Mini signs/labels
3 Zone timer tap inlet
Pressure Reducer
19mm In line filter
Thread tape
19mm Poly pipe 25m
19mm Fittings (elbows, Ts, locking clamps, valves, reducers, end caps)
Pins
13mm Drip Eze tubing 15m
13mm Fittings (Ts, elbows, end caps, locking clamps, saddle clips)
- Tools:
Staple gun
Pen marker for outdoors
Hammer
Pipe cutters
- Step 1:
Line the box/planter with weed matting (or as advises… builders plastic). Use the nail gun to secure the matting to the wood. Note, I only used staples on the outside, so as not to allow the dirt to come into contact with the metal. I also didn't want to use plastic so we will see how the base holds up. I assume it will break down over time and will need to be redone.
- Step 2:
Fill the planter. I used the Hügelkultur method, where raised garden beds are built by layering decaying wood at the base and covering it with organic matter and soil. I added fertiliser and left it for a week or two to let it all settle.
- Step 3:
Using twine, divide the planter into approx 30cmx30cm squares (square-foot planting method). Research how many seeds per square foot and plant companions together, according to packet directions. Label each section accordingly so it is easier to keep track.
- Step 4:
To save yourself a million trips to Bunnings, draw up a rough plan for your irrigation. Count all the fittings you need before you head to the shops!
- Step 5:
Install the timer tap inlet. Install the head assembly (with a filter & pressure regulator), to make sure the pressure is reduced to allow the drip irrigation to work without being overloaded.
- Step 6:
Measure your pipe and cut the required length/s in order to get from your tap to your planter box/es. Use elbow fittings to get around corners and up to the height of your box/es. If piping will remain above ground, secure with pins.
If using multiple boxes it is a good idea to install valves so you can isolate the water flow to make repairs or if different plants have different water needs.
- Step 7:
Learn from my mistake and make sure you lay out your drip Eze FLAT before cutting and installing. Otherwise it ends up curved like mine… whoopsy.
Connect your Drip Eze to your piping, using a reducer, Ts, elbows, end caps and locking clamps at each join. Make sure the holes in your drip Eze are facing the right way.
Test out the water flow, make sure the drops are coming out in all the right places and make any necessary adjustments.
- Step 8:
If needed, install some stakes and twine for climbing plants.
- Step 9:
Voila! There you have it. A self watering, edible garden in planter boxes.
It took me about 4 days, for the planting and irrigation, using a lot of trial and error. Days well spent if you ask me!
Enjoy the fruits (or rather herbs & veggies) of your labour. :-)
