Gardening is good for your health and made more accessible with raised planter boxes
Since putting in my patio deck at my apartment, I’ve been growing vegetables. I find it so satisfying to successfully harvest veggies and herbs for my own use. However, I’ve been using low rectangular pots, which means that I need to bend over to plant and tend my garden. I’ve advised many people about raised bed gardening but have not got around to sorting myself out.
That was until my fabulous neighbour, who lives above me, approached me to discuss options. Jodi Bieber, The Veg Auntie, has an amazing veggie patch in our main garden and runs an urban edible company that offers advice and guidance for vegetable and herb gardens. She consults, designs, creates and maintains vegetable gardens for people who have busy lives or want to do it themselves.
“Vegetable gardening has given me a sense of calm and connection to nature,” Jodi shares. “It’s not only about the health benefits. It’s about the deeper, feel-good impact it has on everyday life. And that’s something I’m excited to share with others through The Veg Auntie.”
Her husband Francois Venter makes the containers, and he offered to design and make some planters specifically for my space using some pallet wood and old wooden floorboards that were here at our building as I prefer recycling and reusing wood.
Because of the size and shape of my raised patio, I chose two square boxes with locking castors as the main planters, and a custom-made small table that I can use to place pots on so that they are the correct height for me to be able to plant without bending or work above my shoulder height. They can also be moved to various areas of the patio for sun or shade.
Francois made them up in his workshop and then brought them to my garden so that he could ensure that the centre shelf that holds the soil was shallow enough, and that the castors were fitted so that I am able lock them. Once completed, he ensured that they would be waterproof by sealing them with linseed oil.
I’m so happy with them as I can turn the boxes around to tend to plants from all sides. As it is winter, I’ve placed my orchids into the boxes, but I will be planting them with tomatoes, lettuce and onions in the spring.
You can have fresh veggies and herbs wherever you live, even if it is growing herbs in small pots or potatoes in a bucket. This gives you organic fresh food and saves money. For more information about The Veg Auntie’s services or the handcrafted wooden boxes, please feel free to get in touch at jodi@jodibieber.com.
So, why don’t you give it a try … you will be amazed at how much produce you can grow in a small space; how satisfying it is to be able to harvest the results. We will be hosting a webinar with Jodi to get ready for the spring planting. Look out for more information.
