G'day Everyone, Thanks for your ongoing support! Raised Garden Beds: Go here to get Birdies Raised Garden Beds in the USA: lets.growepic.co/self-sufficient-me for a 5% discount, or use SSME2020 at checkout. In Australia, go to birdiesgardenproducts.com.au/ and use Code SSMEbird for a 5% discount. In New Zealand, go to birdiesgardenproducts.co.nz/ and use Code ssmebird22 for 5% off your first purchase. Cheers :)
i think the blue flowered weed in the sweet potato is a native very high in vit C... but its a bit like wandering dew... i think it is Scurvy weed Commelina Cyanea..??
Hey Mark! I'm in the States, and I've been scheming all week about which Birdies Beds I want to buy tomorrow!!! Which ones, HOW MANY, & WHERE I'm going to put them all, just the whole kit-n-kaboodle!!! It's a REALLY GREAT SALE!!! I'm VERY excited about it!! By the way Mark, I want to let you know, I've come to really trust and appreciate your recommendations!! You haven't let me down on ANY of the items I've purchased! Your opinion has been right on the money each time! Australia is really putting out some good products too!! I must admit, I'm getting hooked on purchasing Australian made stuff!!! I'm giving y'all MUCH RESPECT for producing such good quality items over there!! I even bought The Monty Composting Monitor so I can keep an eye on the compost beds I grow my edible mushrooms in!! The team of people at The Monty are a hard working bunch!! They really DO care about putting out a high quality item! You mentioned in your video about them that The Monty might be a little glitchy at first, so I was ready for that if it happened. And it did happen. But that's OK because The Monty team were on top of it like a duck on a June bug!! They've since checked in on me regularly to make sure I am happy with their product! And I AM! THE MONTY is working great, and the app it has allows me to know what's happening outside in those woodchip mushroom beds without me having to go out in the cold! I'm really enjoying it! Thanks for the video today!! As someone from Texas, we never complain about the rain! And one of my favorite things to do is garden in the rain!! Oh! And if you see your friend Peter Nicol, could you please tell him I received my Son Of Prong pry bar just a few days ago & it's in perfect shape!! (As IF anything in shipping could have messed it up!!) It's funny, I actually couldn't quite remember which one I had ordered! But I DID remember he had some illness going on back when I did order it. And honestly, I'm not one to throw around money, but for some reason, with Peter, even if the Prong had never come, I would've been ok with that. His story really touched me. I hope he's still doing well now that he's out of the hospital. I wanted to mention that because I had forgotten which Prong I ordered, so when it got here a few days ago, it was like opening a Christmas gift!! I JUST LOVE USING IT TOO!! That wonderful tool hasn't had a days rest since it got here!! I'm VERY HAPPY I ordered it! And I didn't mind waiting for it either! Thanks Again to YOU for all the wonderful tool recommendations!!
The lady that half hugged you is so right, you and your channel/channels are so much fun, uplifting and a relief from all that’s wrong with our world today. I’ve watched every episode you’ve ever released and see you as a friend ( not in a weird way 😂🤣 ) You’re a diamond Mark , please keep doing what you do and being you. Best wishes to you and your family , from Britain 👍👍🇦🇺🇬🇧
So excited to get these out to gardeners' doorsteps here in the USA! We made a TON of product changes. P.S. If you're in the USA, tomorrow (Friday November 24th) you can get 40% off all of the Legacy models that we're discontinuing as we begin offering the Next Generation of beds! Cheers Mark, and Happy Thanksgiving! - Kevin EDIT: The sale is now over, and for some of the confusion in the comments below - we offered 40% off of the Legacy beds Friday, November 24th all day - which was the only time we ever advertised that offer. We did a "4 Days of Deals" sale structure this year, so to the comments below saying that they were falsely advertised to and it was only 25% off, that is just factually inaccurate. We were at 40% off all Friday November 24th, then the day changed and thus the deal changed per the "4 Days of Deals" structure. - Kevin
watching your videos helped keep me sane during lock down in Melbourne while I was stuck in my apartment in the city, it also ignited my passion for veggie gardening (that up until then didn't exist!), I was eventually able to move out to my house and now on my second season of planting now and loving it! keep up the amazing content, can't wait for the potato video!
You may not know this but during covid we sent out links to your videos and channel to local friends, acquaintances here in switzerland. It was a huge success. fathers were building their own raised garden bed with their sons, single moms bought one like birdies and taught their daughters to grow even when they were living on an apartment with a balcony. the only person that wasnt that happy ( at least at first) was the delivery drivers though i must say your channel has been mentioned a lot and i know some delivery drivers that got their own raised garden bed. It is truly a joy to work in the garden no matter if you are 3.5 years old. 35 years old or nearly 90. Much love and blessings from Switzerland
Thanks for letting me know @AndreasScout and thank you for sharing the "let's get into it" spirit! Love back and I can't wait to visit sensational Switzerland again soon. Cheers :)
Well Mr. 'Mark', I cannot give you a half hug from where I am (US), but for a moment pretend that you are receiving one from me, simply because of you and for standing in the rain. 😊😉
Your channel was the main reason I started gardening. It was something I never really cared about growing up, but your message of self-sufficiency really inspired me. I just finished up my third season, with this one being the best yet in terms of yields! I'm still keeping my operations relatively small (mainly for my wife's sanity) but I've learned quite a bit over the last few years by just "getting into it." it is unlikely I'll ever be able to tell you in person since I live in the US, but I think its fitting that on our Thanksgiving holiday, I say thank you Mark for being such an inspiration and valuable resource to all of us! You are a true blessing!
Thank you mate. Well, without kind people like you and so many others watching and sharing my content around I'd still be talking to myself in the backyard... All the best :)
Hello my friend. I just created my first handful of raised garden beds, partially inspired by you. I used a simple wire mesh formed into a circle and lined with a landscape filter fabric. It was the most simple and low cost method I could think of. I can't wait to get them filled and seeded. :D
I will never be upset at you making commission but I will always respect you more and more for being transparent! Make your money , you’re an entrepreneur
not ganna lie im an 19 yr who parties almost everyday but ive been watching ur vids for the past 2 yr and ive really cotten into planting coz of u and i feel like ive learnt so much
First ones I had seen were on your TH-cam videos. Then you talked about Keven in San Diego, California. I watched both of you and your gardening in Birdies Raised Garden Beds. I needed some to relieve my heart of the pressure of bending over. I had this year use of my 4 beds in the greenhouse. I bought 3 more and looking at another couple smaller 30" tall in you outside garden area. I would have bought through you but needed them sooner and Keven had a special. Thank you
Simon at birdies was really supportive all the years I was setting up school gardens and social housing projects Support local family business that have a great products
i just bought two raised beds from Vego garden. Was gonna buy birdies from epic gardening store but they sold out of what i wanted and after being disappointed i found vego and they were 2 inches higher than the birdies (17"). plus they included 2 worm composters 2 mugs 2 solar garden lights and a hori hori free with purchase. Still plan on buying a birdies to compare quality and support Eric.
Thank you, Mark, for creating this channel. I love your personality and content. Today is Thanksgiving holiday in the USA, so I’m sending you a big gracious thumbs up, cheers!
Thanks for everything you do Mark. I'm retiring from the army this year and your channel has gotten me and my wife into gardening. I can't thank you enough for what you do.
Thanks for your service Corey! There's life after the Army, but it does take some getting used to, and gardening was one of the best ways I found to integrate back into everyday life. All the best mate! Cheers :)
Used to garden in the ground. Then I became disabled. Gently started gardening again in grow bags. Then found this channel and another where sweet potatoes were being grown in a circular raised bed. Have added many fire rings on my concrete driveway and have been growing in them awhile now. Contemplating all raised beds in the future but alas there is only me to assemble and fill them so I add one or two a year.
Sorry for the long message I just drank coffee. In the past week I've been doing a marathon of your videos :) Pretty much watching you all day long. You did (And still do) an amazing job on your channel. Remember the incredible impact you have on the environment because of what yo do. Your channel help people discover the world of permaculture like it did to me few years ago, and some of them, like me, might decide to start a food forest on their property because you inspired them. In other word, you are planting a seed in the head of people, and a food forest might grow from that. Let's not under estimate the power of inspiring other people to start a permaculture. We can't force them, but we can inspire them by creating very beautiful permacultures, so much that when they drive by and see it they will be like ''Hmm I might plant a tree or two this week end''. My goal in life is to inspire just ONE person to start a permaculture on his property. This way its a domino effect, and we can slowly repair this world because let's not forget the enormous impact a permaculture has on the environment. Food grown on a permaculture is free of pesticide and grown organically, truly boosting the surrounding eco-system in the process. The food is not wrapped in 10 layers of non-recyclable plastic, it is not shipped from another continent by boat and then delivered by diesel trucks to my plate. Plus all the employees that would have worked to get this food to me, can do other things instead. The food forest make you work physically, and make you eat healthy, which would help fix the jammed hospital problems worldwide, as well as mental health problems, like it did to me. I can go on for a while but this message is already way too long. So ... The fact that you inspire so many people to follow this road is truly remarkable, thank you Mark and everyone in here for making a difference, we are the green army. At the end of the day, who knows how much of an impact we have on the environment.
Mark, Thanks for all the good advice you post. I'm using both the 370mm and 740mm high beds; The lower beds for tall growing plants such as corn, brussels sprouts, kale, chard and those requiring trellising such as cucumber, pattypan squash etc., and the higher beds for root crops, capsicum, eggplant, cabbages, cauliflower and broccoli, etc. All the high beds are mounted on frames of 2" x 6'' sleepers, and the paths around the beds are filled to the tops of the timber with woodchip mulch from a local arborist. When weeding the beds the (very) small amount of weeds pulled out is simply dropped on the paths to dry out and eventually join the compost being formed beneath. The plan is to progressively dig up the paths when they need replenishing, pass the dug-up material through my rotary sieve, (converted cement mixer), throw the fine stuff directly onto the beds or into the compost bays, return the coarse chips to the paths and then add more woodchip mulch. (An idea I pinched from Huw Richards site.)
You're a star, Mark. It was through watching your videos that motivated me to grow food for my family . And the raised bed system makes it all the more worthwhile...and saved my back.
Always a great day when you upload Mark! Thank you for your optimism and encouragement, you always make me smile and give me new motivation to keep going!
The enthusiasm you have about gardening is contagious. Reminds me of my grandmother and spending long days working in her garden learning from her. I wish the world loved it as much as you do. Keep the videos coming please sir
You are very informative, thank you. I saw a garden that was made for people in a wheelchair. They used treated: plywood-5 ft long cut in half 4 -4 inch by 4 inch, 8 ft studs 4- 6 in by 2 inch 10 ft boards 4- 2 inch by 4 inch boards 8 ft Galvanized screws Gardening sheets to cover all wood inside to keep soil from touching the wood and soil from escaping between the wood. 4 by 4 are for the legs, plywood is for the base, 6 inch by 2 are for the sides, you can go wider boards if you care too. 2 inch by 4 inch are for supporting inside at the corners and the top as a rail if you want. They lasted a long time. Container soil mix is the best, but your mix should do really good also. Thank you Jim V. Im from Ohio, USA I live a ten minute walk from Lake Erie coastline. I love raised bed and container gardening.
Thank you so much for all you do! We just ordered 16, 8-1 beds for our future homestead in Northern Florida. We want to be able to start gardening right away once our house is built. You are a wonderful inspiration thank you, Lisa Fleming
Sending U a BIG virtual hug from the USA ❤ Last year I came to the conclusion that age and arthritis were going to prevent me from being able to continue gardening in the 1 foot high raised beds i built 40 years ago. That's when I came across your videos. I installed my first tall garden bed, and have parsley and broccoli raab growing under cover now. These tall garden beds are exactly what will allow me to continue gardening! Thank you so much Mike for sharing your experiences to a large audience in the cloud!
Hi mark I'm so glad that you get a kick out of hearing that you inspire. My hubby has always enjoyed gardening and while I didn't mind being out there my back issues meant I wasn't enjoying like he did. After stumbling across your video grow a ton of lemons I became addicted to your videos over the past 8 or 9 years. You talking about your need for raised beds to help your body out I told hubby I wanted one for my birthday. He laughed but then each year we bought a new one and by the time we sold our property this year we were growing a lot of produce to use in my cafe. Thank you for always showing that you can still get out there, even if it's just a little bit.
I doubt I'd ever run into you as I'm in WA state in the USA but I love every video of yours I've seen :) you've been a solid, positive, and uplifting source for many, myself included. Thanks Mark!! ❤ from the PNW :)
The 'creeper type of weed' you mention in this video is commelina. Its a native groundcover and is edible. Not to be confused with the introduced weed 'wandering dew' which isn't edible. Commelina has blue flowers, wandering dew has white flowers.
Love that story about the disabled man and his wife, mate. I'm also a disabled gardener in Perth. I also use the raised garden beds and have a thriving vegie garden.
"If it ain't rainin', it ain't trainin' " - Casually triggers every vet in the region 🤣. A couple of years back I left a comment on one of your videos saying that some of us don't get to choose where we live, and that it means that we can't buy homes with space for gardens or set up our own veggie patches because we'll have to move soon. Well, fast forward a bit and I got out and bought a home. We have a very modest garden going (cut in half IBC raised beds, the metal frames are great for preventing bowing!) but we're looking at buying some Birdies beds because frankly, they're far nicer to look at ;). Thanks for the content uncle Mark!
Mark... "singing in the rain"! and inspiring others to garden irrespective of their disability and their competence...kudos all of you! & Yeah. "Rain interrupted play" of all Australian "sports"; gardening is the ultimate contact sport!!!
I wish I could hug you too! I have 3 Birdies raised garden beds, I’m about to get my fourth. You and Epic gardening are my gardening Gods. I have learned so much in the last year and a half since my hubby and I moved into our house with a bit of land to grow our herbs, vegetables and now citrus. You in particular are quite a character in front of the camera which makes learning such a pleasant experience. I’ll keep watching and hopefully soon I can purchase the new generation raised bed. (Or two)
Thank you Mark, just ordered my first Birdies Raised Garden Beds (2). And received a discount thanks to your code. I have recently moved to SEQ, starting a brand new garden and look to you for advice. Keep up the great work
I just doubled my count of raised beds from 3 to 6 this year, turning this suburban extra long driveway into a garden instead! Who needs to park an RV and a boat, when you can grow food!
I do enjoy your gardening podcasts. I do regular container gardening. It is my dream to one day have some of these raised garden beds. As a retiree here in the USA gardening has been a wonderful outlet for me. Thank you Mark. 💖🌟
Thanx again Mark…you’re garden beds not only looks the best, I’m sure they are the best!! I love new fresh things in the garden too…especially the crops! 🤪✌️😜💕💐🫵🏻👏🏆
Thanks Mark for the update. I am not in place yet where I can use these beds yet, but as soon as I purchase my country home, these will be one of the 1st items I get.
Love your videos, I've learnt a lot and envied your beds. Here in South Africa Birdies beds are now available, but are about twice the price of the local "equivalent"! Instead of both, I've just bought raised beds with corrugated iron sides and a sturdy timber frame from a guy who builds them himself. It's good to support local entrepreneurs, I reckon.
Well done Mr Self Sufficient Me 😁 I bet that you inspire people all over the world, all of the time. I have been a gardener all of my life (had a part of my Dad’s allotment at 6 yrs old), I even taught horticulture for a few years, & I continue to learn from you & soak up your enthusiasm. Thank you! Be well, Sally (uk) 🌹
I solved the caving in issue by drilling two holes through some galvanized pipe and running the rods through it, supporting them in the middle. I then filled it up using the H method.
Thank you Mark, you are a legend ! Your videos have inspired me greatly over the years. Just installed my new Birdies raised beds, cant wait to get planting. love from WA 😃
Raised beds is the way to go, I love mine, and if I was younger and had the room, I'd try a couple of these. Lots of older people get dizzy, wobbly and arthritic, so it is nice to have a garden full of raised beds. It was an uphill battle convincing my husband, but he is 81 and glad that he lost the fight. Another plus for them might not be obvious, but if you use them for potatoes, if you happen to get disease in the bed, you don't have to worry about spreading it to other beds. I don't know where we got the seed potatoes from, but we had that happen to one bed, which was used for brassicas this year and will never be used to potatoes again.
Greetings from the USA ! Your videos have been so much fun and helpful even though my climate is a bit different from yours. I love all your experiments. I purchased a Birdie raised bed last year and did the Hugel method of filling it to save $$ . Being raised up made it so much easier to care for than a regular garden, due to back and knee issues. This year, the bed produced really well and I'm hoping to purchase a 2nd one and fill it over the winter , so it will be ready to go next spring. Best wishes and thank you!!
Hi Mark. Great video. Was great to find out about the Birdies business and how they recycle their waste. I'm constantly trying to reduce my own waste at home and to support Australian owned businesses where I can!! The new Birdies garden beds have got us really thinking, eventually we will be building raised garden beds as redoing our whole backyard. Been watching you for years now, love all your videos and your knowledge! We live in Maryborough Victoria, the goldfields!
Great to hear that there always looking ahead. Just got a bed the other day, looking forward to putting it together and to get some plants in. And loving the bit of rain down here in NSW gotta take it when we get it.
Hi Mark. Thank you for keeping us entertained during the pandemic ❤. My family and I started a gardening channel in our backyard. I tried your Hügelkultur approach for two DIY raised beds from free repurposed warped wood. Happy Thanksgiving🎉. -Dave
Hi Mark, I like the new reenforced added to Birdie Beds😊 I wonder if they would sell them separately as an add on for existing customers, if they ever empty or change the location of the Birdie Beds.😊
I think the idea of retrofitting older beds with the new vertical braces is a great idea! Beats the hell out of having to drill angle iron pieces with hole after hole after hole after.... As I did with mine.
I would love some of these beds but they are out of my budget. So hubby built me a bunch of raised beds from 2x8 ft pallets lined with plastic/plexi so they should last for years.
I started watching your videos while I was medically downgraded and awaiting spinal surgery. I binged your channels videos, and like your story, I have been discharged since last month and have gone on to be keeping myself sane growing whatever I can for the family. Mark, thank you for keeping me sane and helping me become an amateur gardener.
All the best with your ongoing recovery - don't overdo it - but it's good to hear you are keeping active and still getting into it regardless! Cheers :)
@@Selfsufficientme I have learnt to live with the pain, its those defence to civilian transitions that has been the hardest part of it all, but with gardening I have kept my brain active, and the extra benefit is that my children love helping.
Thanks Mark for the reminder you have a referral discount code! Perfectly timing - we are just getting the hard landscaping done to then set up some beds at our new house (Brisbane northside). So I’ve done a decent order from Birdies - didn’t quite save a ‘ton of money’ but with the special and coupon it was a decent amount off. 😉 Thanks for the channel - love it! 👍🏻
i purposely sought out one of your videos so i could find your discount code when i bought my first birdie bed earlier this year. i like your channel and have learned so much from you.
Watching you from Canada and very much liking your videos and the Birdies Garden Beds. Live in an apartment at present, but hope to have a house within the year and totally want to grow my own vegetables, especially Heritage varieties, so as to enjoy flavour again. Thanks and keep up the great work on Self Sufficient Me, as it is very important to grow your own food and that is how I want to spend my retirement as I’m starting new at 66. Cheers
Thanks Mark - awesome as per usual - UNFORTUNATELY the Black Friday offers in the video ONLY apply to US customers and sadly NOT for NZ customers - slightly misleading by Birdies - I attempted to clarify with Scott however the offer does not extend to NZ - Was about to purchase another legacy 5 beds at Black Friday discounted price. Thanks though for your great little 5% code - every little helps. :)
G'day Everyone, Thanks for your ongoing support! Raised Garden Beds: Go here to get Birdies Raised Garden Beds in the USA: lets.growepic.co/self-sufficient-me for a 5% discount, or use SSME2020 at checkout. In Australia, go to birdiesgardenproducts.com.au/ and use Code SSMEbird for a 5% discount. In New Zealand, go to birdiesgardenproducts.co.nz/ and use Code ssmebird22 for 5% off your first purchase. Cheers :)
i think the blue flowered weed in the sweet potato is a native very high in vit C... but its a bit like wandering dew... i think it is Scurvy weed Commelina Cyanea..??
You poor thing! Getting wet and eat up to do a video :) Thanks Mark, You are a Joy!!!
Hey Mark!
I'm in the States, and I've been scheming all week about which Birdies Beds I want to buy tomorrow!!!
Which ones, HOW MANY,
& WHERE I'm going to put them all, just the whole kit-n-kaboodle!!!
It's a REALLY GREAT SALE!!!
I'm VERY excited about it!!
By the way Mark,
I want to let you know,
I've come to really trust and appreciate your recommendations!!
You haven't let me down on ANY of the items I've purchased!
Your opinion has been right on the money each time!
Australia is really putting out some good products too!!
I must admit, I'm getting hooked on purchasing Australian made stuff!!!
I'm giving y'all MUCH RESPECT for producing such good quality items over there!!
I even bought The Monty Composting Monitor so I can keep an eye on the compost beds I grow my edible mushrooms in!!
The team of people at The Monty are a hard working bunch!! They really DO care about putting out a high quality item!
You mentioned in your video about them that The Monty might be a little glitchy at first, so I was ready for that if it happened.
And it did happen. But that's OK because The Monty team were on top of it like a duck on a June bug!! They've since checked in on me regularly to make sure I am happy with their product!
And I AM!
THE MONTY is working great, and the app it has allows me to know what's happening outside in those woodchip mushroom beds without me having to go out in the cold!
I'm really enjoying it!
Thanks for the video today!!
As someone from Texas, we never complain about the rain!
And one of my favorite things to do is garden in the rain!!
Oh! And if you see your friend Peter Nicol, could you please tell him I received my Son Of Prong pry bar just a few days ago & it's in perfect shape!!
(As IF anything in shipping could have messed it up!!)
It's funny, I actually couldn't quite remember which one I had ordered! But I DID remember he had some illness going on back when I did order it.
And honestly, I'm not one to throw around money, but for some reason, with Peter, even if the Prong had never come, I would've been ok with that. His story really touched me. I hope he's still doing well now that he's out of the hospital.
I wanted to mention that because I had forgotten which Prong I ordered, so when it got here a few days ago, it was like opening a Christmas gift!!
I JUST LOVE USING IT TOO!!
That wonderful tool hasn't had a days rest since it got here!!
I'm VERY HAPPY I ordered it!
And I didn't mind waiting for it either!
Thanks Again to YOU for all the wonderful tool recommendations!!
Hey!! New dog!! Introduction please
Nothing for the U.K.???🏴👍
The lady that half hugged you is so right, you and your channel/channels are so much fun, uplifting and a relief from all that’s wrong with our world today. I’ve watched every episode you’ve ever released and see you as a friend ( not in a weird way 😂🤣 ) You’re a diamond Mark , please keep doing what you do and being you. Best wishes to you and your family , from Britain 👍👍🇦🇺🇬🇧
So excited to get these out to gardeners' doorsteps here in the USA! We made a TON of product changes. P.S. If you're in the USA, tomorrow (Friday November 24th) you can get 40% off all of the Legacy models that we're discontinuing as we begin offering the Next Generation of beds! Cheers Mark, and Happy Thanksgiving! - Kevin EDIT: The sale is now over, and for some of the confusion in the comments below - we offered 40% off of the Legacy beds Friday, November 24th all day - which was the only time we ever advertised that offer. We did a "4 Days of Deals" sale structure this year, so to the comments below saying that they were falsely advertised to and it was only 25% off, that is just factually inaccurate. We were at 40% off all Friday November 24th, then the day changed and thus the deal changed per the "4 Days of Deals" structure. - Kevin
Thanks for the heads up, Eric.
Hope you and yours are having a Happy Thanksgiving.
didnt expect to see you here, how is texas preparing for winter ?
Thanks Kevin! Hey mate, what's this "Eric" caper all about 😂 All the best with the long weekend of sales! 💪👍🙂
@@Selfsufficientme I think someone (looks up and whistles) was a bit over the limit on T-day mimosas.
What is the new bed size in fractions of a football field?
watching your videos helped keep me sane during lock down in Melbourne while I was stuck in my apartment in the city, it also ignited my passion for veggie gardening (that up until then didn't exist!), I was eventually able to move out to my house and now on my second season of planting now and loving it! keep up the amazing content, can't wait for the potato video!
Yesh especially when he didn't know what a hazelnut was ;)
I found mark during lockdown too. His energy and optimism helped me through that depressing time
@@skippyvsamy6768 he definitely brings joy to all.
Eyyy lockdown gang 🙌🏻
Sorry you had to endure Daniel Andrews Supermaxx
You may not know this but during covid we sent out links to your videos and channel to local friends, acquaintances here in switzerland. It was a huge success. fathers were building their own raised garden bed with their sons, single moms bought one like birdies and taught their daughters to grow even when they were living on an apartment with a balcony. the only person that wasnt that happy ( at least at first) was the delivery drivers though i must say your channel has been mentioned a lot and i know some delivery drivers that got their own raised garden bed. It is truly a joy to work in the garden no matter if you are 3.5 years old. 35 years old or nearly 90.
Much love and blessings from Switzerland
Thanks for letting me know @AndreasScout and thank you for sharing the "let's get into it" spirit! Love back and I can't wait to visit sensational Switzerland again soon. Cheers :)
This is the best news story I've read all day!
Well Mr. 'Mark', I cannot give you a half hug from where I am (US), but for a moment pretend that you are receiving one from me, simply because of you and for standing in the rain. 😊😉
You are the reason I got back into gardening. Your excitement is contagious! Be blessed!
Your channel was the main reason I started gardening. It was something I never really cared about growing up, but your message of self-sufficiency really inspired me. I just finished up my third season, with this one being the best yet in terms of yields! I'm still keeping my operations relatively small (mainly for my wife's sanity) but I've learned quite a bit over the last few years by just "getting into it." it is unlikely I'll ever be able to tell you in person since I live in the US, but I think its fitting that on our Thanksgiving holiday, I say thank you Mark for being such an inspiration and valuable resource to all of us! You are a true blessing!
Thank you mate. Well, without kind people like you and so many others watching and sharing my content around I'd still be talking to myself in the backyard... All the best :)
Hi Mark, I am still loving my Birdie beds that you donated to my garden. They are still going strong and giving me food daily!
Hello my friend. I just created my first handful of raised garden beds, partially inspired by you.
I used a simple wire mesh formed into a circle and lined with a landscape filter fabric. It was the most simple and low cost method I could think of. I can't wait to get them filled and seeded. :D
I will never be upset at you making commission but I will always respect you more and more for being transparent! Make your money , you’re an entrepreneur
not ganna lie im an 19 yr who parties almost everyday but ive been watching ur vids for the past 2 yr and ive really cotten into planting coz of u and i feel like ive learnt so much
First ones I had seen were on your TH-cam videos. Then you talked about Keven in San Diego, California. I watched both of you and your gardening in Birdies Raised Garden Beds. I needed some to relieve my heart of the pressure of bending over. I had this year use of my 4 beds in the greenhouse. I bought 3 more and looking at another couple smaller 30" tall in you outside garden area. I would have bought through you but needed them sooner and Keven had a special. Thank you
Simon at birdies was really supportive all the years I was setting up school gardens and social housing projects Support local family business that have a great products
That story at the end was so nice! Gardening has changed so many of our lives
i just bought two raised beds from Vego garden. Was gonna buy birdies from epic gardening store but they sold out of what i wanted and after being disappointed i found vego and they were 2 inches higher than the birdies (17"). plus they included 2 worm composters 2 mugs 2 solar garden lights and a hori hori free with purchase. Still plan on buying a birdies to compare quality and support Eric.
Same. Couldn't get Birdies in the States, and went with Vego. This will be our 3rd year growing in them and they still look brand new.
Thank you, Mark, for creating this channel. I love your personality and content. Today is Thanksgiving holiday in the USA, so I’m sending you a big gracious thumbs up, cheers!
Yours and Eric’s channel have to be my favourite gardening channels to watch
God bless the lady that gave you a blessing, cos you are a blessing for all of us that follow you !
Thanks for everything you do Mark. I'm retiring from the army this year and your channel has gotten me and my wife into gardening. I can't thank you enough for what you do.
Thanks for your service Corey! There's life after the Army, but it does take some getting used to, and gardening was one of the best ways I found to integrate back into everyday life. All the best mate! Cheers :)
Used to garden in the ground. Then I became disabled. Gently started gardening again in grow bags. Then found this channel and another where sweet potatoes were being grown in a circular raised bed. Have added many fire rings on my concrete driveway and have been growing in them awhile now. Contemplating all raised beds in the future but alas there is only me to assemble and fill them so I add one or two a year.
Sorry for the long message I just drank coffee. In the past week I've been doing a marathon of your videos :) Pretty much watching you all day long. You did (And still do) an amazing job on your channel. Remember the incredible impact you have on the environment because of what yo do. Your channel help people discover the world of permaculture like it did to me few years ago, and some of them, like me, might decide to start a food forest on their property because you inspired them. In other word, you are planting a seed in the head of people, and a food forest might grow from that.
Let's not under estimate the power of inspiring other people to start a permaculture. We can't force them, but we can inspire them by creating very beautiful permacultures, so much that when they drive by and see it they will be like ''Hmm I might plant a tree or two this week end''. My goal in life is to inspire just ONE person to start a permaculture on his property. This way its a domino effect, and we can slowly repair this world because let's not forget the enormous impact a permaculture has on the environment.
Food grown on a permaculture is free of pesticide and grown organically, truly boosting the surrounding eco-system in the process. The food is not wrapped in 10 layers of non-recyclable plastic, it is not shipped from another continent by boat and then delivered by diesel trucks to my plate. Plus all the employees that would have worked to get this food to me, can do other things instead. The food forest make you work physically, and make you eat healthy, which would help fix the jammed hospital problems worldwide, as well as mental health problems, like it did to me. I can go on for a while but this message is already way too long.
So ... The fact that you inspire so many people to follow this road is truly remarkable, thank you Mark and everyone in here for making a difference, we are the green army. At the end of the day, who knows how much of an impact we have on the environment.
That's a lovely message mate... Thanks :)
I am so happy with my beds, and I wouldn't have found them if I hadn't run across your amazing garden videos. Thank you.
Mark, Thanks for all the good advice you post.
I'm using both the 370mm and 740mm high beds; The lower beds for tall growing plants such as corn, brussels sprouts, kale, chard and those requiring trellising such as cucumber, pattypan squash etc., and the higher beds for root crops, capsicum, eggplant, cabbages, cauliflower and broccoli, etc.
All the high beds are mounted on frames of 2" x 6'' sleepers, and the paths around the beds are filled to the tops of the timber with woodchip mulch from a local arborist. When weeding the beds the (very) small amount of weeds pulled out is simply dropped on the paths to dry out and eventually join the compost being formed beneath.
The plan is to progressively dig up the paths when they need replenishing, pass the dug-up material through my rotary sieve, (converted cement mixer), throw the fine stuff directly onto the beds or into the compost bays, return the coarse chips to the paths and then add more woodchip mulch. (An idea I pinched from Huw Richards site.)
You're a star, Mark.
It was through watching your videos that motivated me to grow food for my family .
And the raised bed system makes it all the more worthwhile...and saved my back.
Always a great day when you upload Mark! Thank you for your optimism and encouragement, you always make me smile and give me new motivation to keep going!
Always a good day when Mark drops a new video!
Now let’s get in to it!
The enthusiasm you have about gardening is contagious. Reminds me of my grandmother and spending long days working in her garden learning from her. I wish the world loved it as much as you do. Keep the videos coming please sir
You are very informative, thank you.
I saw a garden that was made for people in a wheelchair.
They used treated:
plywood-5 ft long cut in
half
4 -4 inch by 4 inch, 8 ft studs
4- 6 in by 2 inch 10 ft boards
4- 2 inch by 4 inch boards 8 ft
Galvanized screws
Gardening sheets to cover all wood inside to keep soil from touching the wood and soil from escaping between the wood.
4 by 4 are for the legs, plywood is for the base,
6 inch by 2 are for the sides, you can go wider boards if you care too.
2 inch by 4 inch are for supporting inside at the corners and the top as a rail if you want.
They lasted a long time. Container soil mix is the best, but your mix should do really good also. Thank you
Jim V. Im from Ohio, USA I live a ten minute walk from Lake Erie coastline. I love raised bed and container gardening.
Thank you so much for all you do! We just ordered 16, 8-1 beds for our future homestead in Northern Florida. We want to be able to start gardening right away once our house is built.
You are a wonderful inspiration thank you, Lisa Fleming
Sending U a BIG virtual hug from the USA ❤ Last year I came to the conclusion that age and arthritis were going to prevent me from being able to continue gardening in the 1 foot high raised beds i built 40 years ago. That's when I came across your videos. I installed my first tall garden bed, and have parsley and broccoli raab growing under cover now. These tall garden beds are exactly what will allow me to continue gardening! Thank you so much Mike for sharing your experiences to a large audience in the cloud!
Hi mark I'm so glad that you get a kick out of hearing that you inspire. My hubby has always enjoyed gardening and while I didn't mind being out there my back issues meant I wasn't enjoying like he did. After stumbling across your video grow a ton of lemons I became addicted to your videos over the past 8 or 9 years. You talking about your need for raised beds to help your body out I told hubby I wanted one for my birthday. He laughed but then each year we bought a new one and by the time we sold our property this year we were growing a lot of produce to use in my cafe.
Thank you for always showing that you can still get out there, even if it's just a little bit.
Self Sufficient Me! You made the little old lady so happy! Gosh that's a great story
Mark the new gen garden beds look great. Love your sense of humour and smiles.🧡🧡
I doubt I'd ever run into you as I'm in WA state in the USA but I love every video of yours I've seen :) you've been a solid, positive, and uplifting source for many, myself included. Thanks Mark!! ❤ from the PNW :)
Woooooo. First view. Been watching for 3 years. Love the content bro. I have 4 garden beds cause of you. Thanks for all the help and advice!
I Love the story at the end. Your videos helped a man be able to do what he loves again. That is quite admirable.
Mark, thank you for another wholesome informative video. You are tenderhearted and that is why we love you.
The 'creeper type of weed' you mention in this video is commelina. Its a native groundcover and is edible. Not to be confused with the introduced weed 'wandering dew' which isn't edible. Commelina has blue flowers, wandering dew has white flowers.
I love the set-up and the garden looks amazing!!! ✌️😎✌️
Love that story about the disabled man and his wife, mate. I'm also a disabled gardener in Perth. I also use the raised garden beds and have a thriving vegie garden.
"If it ain't rainin', it ain't trainin' " - Casually triggers every vet in the region 🤣.
A couple of years back I left a comment on one of your videos saying that some of us don't get to choose where we live, and that it means that we can't buy homes with space for gardens or set up our own veggie patches because we'll have to move soon. Well, fast forward a bit and I got out and bought a home. We have a very modest garden going (cut in half IBC raised beds, the metal frames are great for preventing bowing!) but we're looking at buying some Birdies beds because frankly, they're far nicer to look at ;). Thanks for the content uncle Mark!
It’s Thanksgiving here in North America. I get a yearly turkey dinner AND a Self Sufficient Me video?! Truly blessed!
You are a blessing for many people Mark..just wanted you to know..keep up the marvelous work..from Brazil!!
Mark... "singing in the rain"! and inspiring others to garden irrespective of their disability and their competence...kudos all of you! & Yeah. "Rain interrupted play" of all Australian "sports"; gardening is the ultimate contact sport!!!
You deserve many more hugs Mark. I have friends in your area and hope to see you when I visit them!
Hi..... MARK thanks you for showing your video bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋👍👍👍
Good to see
I wish I could hug you too! I have 3 Birdies raised garden beds, I’m about to get my fourth. You and Epic gardening are my gardening Gods. I have learned so much in the last year and a half since my hubby and I moved into our house with a bit of land to grow our herbs, vegetables and now citrus. You in particular are quite a character in front of the camera which makes learning such a pleasant experience. I’ll keep watching and hopefully soon I can purchase the new generation raised bed. (Or two)
Thank you Mark, just ordered my first Birdies Raised Garden Beds (2). And received a discount thanks to your code.
I have recently moved to SEQ, starting a brand new garden and look to you for advice. Keep up the great work
I just doubled my count of raised beds from 3 to 6 this year, turning this suburban extra long driveway into a garden instead! Who needs to park an RV and a boat, when you can grow food!
I do enjoy your gardening podcasts. I do regular container gardening. It is my dream to one day have some of these raised garden beds. As a retiree here in the USA gardening has been a wonderful outlet for me. Thank you Mark. 💖🌟
Thanx again Mark…you’re garden beds not only looks the best, I’m sure they are the best!! I love new fresh things in the garden too…especially the crops! 🤪✌️😜💕💐🫵🏻👏🏆
Nice. We've got 6 right now, hope to add more in the spring. Wanted to this year but I was unemployed 6 months.
Thanks Mark for the update. I am not in place yet where I can use these beds yet, but as soon as I purchase my country home, these will be one of the 1st items I get.
Thanks!
Thank you for the Super Thanks! All the best for 2024 :)
Love your videos, I've learnt a lot and envied your beds. Here in South Africa Birdies beds are now available, but are about twice the price of the local "equivalent"! Instead of both, I've just bought raised beds with corrugated iron sides and a sturdy timber frame from a guy who builds them himself. It's good to support local entrepreneurs, I reckon.
Well done Mr Self Sufficient Me 😁 I bet that you inspire people all over the world, all of the time. I have been a gardener all of my life (had a part of my Dad’s allotment at 6 yrs old), I even taught horticulture for a few years, & I continue to learn from you & soak up your enthusiasm. Thank you! Be well, Sally (uk) 🌹
I solved the caving in issue by drilling two holes through some galvanized pipe and running the rods through it, supporting them in the middle. I then filled it up using the H method.
Oh wow..your birdies garden beds have held up amazing over the years!!❤💚
Thank you Mark, you are a legend ! Your videos have inspired me greatly over the years. Just installed my new Birdies raised beds, cant wait to get planting. love from WA 😃
Thanks, Mark. Always brings me pleasure watching one of your videos.😃
Thanks Mark for this great video and telling us about the birdies raise beds. I am definitely going to look into this.
Raised beds is the way to go, I love mine, and if I was younger and had the room, I'd try a couple of these. Lots of older people get dizzy, wobbly and arthritic, so it is nice to have a garden full of raised beds. It was an uphill battle convincing my husband, but he is 81 and glad that he lost the fight. Another plus for them might not be obvious, but if you use them for potatoes, if you happen to get disease in the bed, you don't have to worry about spreading it to other beds. I don't know where we got the seed potatoes from, but we had that happen to one bed, which was used for brassicas this year and will never be used to potatoes again.
Greetings from the USA ! Your videos have been so much fun and helpful even though my climate is a bit different from yours. I love all your experiments. I purchased a Birdie raised bed last year and did the Hugel method of filling it to save $$ . Being raised up made it so much easier to care for than a regular garden, due to back and knee issues. This year, the bed produced really well and I'm hoping to purchase a 2nd one and fill it over the winter , so it will be ready to go next spring. Best wishes and thank you!!
I just bought 11 beds. So glad to get the big discount. Thanks for letting me know.
Hi Mark. Great video. Was great to find out about the Birdies business and how they recycle their waste. I'm constantly trying to reduce my own waste at home and to support Australian owned businesses where I can!! The new Birdies garden beds have got us really thinking, eventually we will be building raised garden beds as redoing our whole backyard. Been watching you for years now, love all your videos and your knowledge! We live in Maryborough Victoria, the goldfields!
Cool story at the end. You help my wife and I stay motivated with our small suburban Alaska garden.
Looking at raised beds all day today. And don’t you know this was a suggested video. Birdies is the top of the list
Keep it up. I love your videos, your humor. You’re one of my favorite gardeners
Great to hear that there always looking ahead. Just got a bed the other day, looking forward to putting it together and to get some plants in. And loving the bit of rain down here in NSW gotta take it when we get it.
Great vid. Ordered a bunch today from Birdies. Great service. Discount code worked a treat. Thank you!
Awesome video Mark 😊 really enjoy watching your videos keeps me on track
Thank you for sharing your stories. You are an inspiration and a wonderful person.
Lovely story Mark. Thanks for sharing. I'm a huge Birdies fan. I've bought 14 so far!!!!
Glad you let us know how your channel has helped out an old fella
Just found your channel and it's amazing! You're giving such good vibes as a human! Cheers from Europe!
🎉 Our family in the Midwest of the States just love your videos 💕💕💕
Thank you, Mark!
Regards from Argentina
They are very nice raised beds, that is a sweet story about the gentleman with the disability who can now garden thanks to you. ❤
Hi Mark. Thank you for keeping us entertained during the pandemic ❤. My family and I started a gardening channel in our backyard. I tried your Hügelkultur approach for two DIY raised beds from free repurposed warped wood. Happy Thanksgiving🎉. -Dave
Hi Mark, I like the new reenforced added to Birdie Beds😊
I wonder if they would sell them separately as an add on for existing customers, if they ever empty or change the location of the Birdie Beds.😊
I think the idea of retrofitting older beds with the new vertical braces is a great idea! Beats the hell out of having to drill angle iron pieces with hole after hole after hole after.... As I did with mine.
I would love some of these beds but they are out of my budget. So hubby built me a bunch of raised beds from 2x8 ft pallets lined with plastic/plexi so they should last for years.
Hi Mark we just love your videos and your personality such a normal chap!
Good day!
I started watching your videos while I was medically downgraded and awaiting spinal surgery. I binged your channels videos, and like your story, I have been discharged since last month and have gone on to be keeping myself sane growing whatever I can for the family.
Mark, thank you for keeping me sane and helping me become an amateur gardener.
All the best with your ongoing recovery - don't overdo it - but it's good to hear you are keeping active and still getting into it regardless! Cheers :)
@@Selfsufficientme I have learnt to live with the pain, its those defence to civilian transitions that has been the hardest part of it all, but with gardening I have kept my brain active, and the extra benefit is that my children love helping.
Thanks Mark for the reminder you have a referral discount code! Perfectly timing - we are just getting the hard landscaping done to then set up some beds at our new house (Brisbane northside). So I’ve done a decent order from Birdies - didn’t quite save a ‘ton of money’ but with the special and coupon it was a decent amount off. 😉
Thanks for the channel - love it! 👍🏻
i purposely sought out one of your videos so i could find your discount code when i bought my first birdie bed earlier this year. i like your channel and have learned so much from you.
The puppy is adorable.
I love the rain ☔
Mark, I have to let you know that you're my favorite youtube. Great jobs with your videos, awesome content!
Those raised beds really look good and make life easier.
NICE new beds! I may have to go look at the sale for the old beds. Thanks Mark.
Watching you from Canada and very much liking your videos and the Birdies Garden Beds. Live in an apartment at present, but hope to have a house within the year and totally want to grow my own vegetables, especially Heritage varieties, so as to enjoy flavour again. Thanks and keep up the great work on Self Sufficient Me, as it is very important to grow your own food and that is how I want to spend my retirement as I’m starting new at 66. Cheers
Always enjoy your informative and positive videos. You inspire me to keep going and to try new things. Cheers from Florida!
Cute and great about the ladies hubby getting into life again!
Your food forest is amazing and awe-inspiring! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and resources. God Bless You!
No I think Bernie’s recycling etc is fabulous keep letting everybody know. 😊
Thank you Mr. Mark! ❤ I was able to get one of the tall 6n1 original beds during the Black Friday sale.
Thanks Mark - awesome as per usual - UNFORTUNATELY the Black Friday offers in the video ONLY apply to US customers and sadly NOT for NZ customers - slightly misleading by Birdies - I attempted to clarify with Scott however the offer does not extend to NZ - Was about to purchase another legacy 5 beds at Black Friday discounted price. Thanks though for your great little 5% code - every little helps. :)