Should I Replace My Wooden Garden Beds with Metal Instead?

I finally put together this self-watering (wicking) metal raised garden bed… and it took a lot longer than expected 😅 In this video, I show the full setup from assembling the planter, filling it with my soil mix (potting mix, woodchip, zeolite, compost, and minerals), to planting garlic and mulching it in. I’m also comparing this modern metal bed to my older wooden planters to see which performs better over time — especially in a smaller, courtyard-style growing space. 👉 Is metal really better than wood? Time will tell… Self Sufficient Me Online Shop: https://shop.selfsufficientme.com/ For Planters, Merch and other products. Order my book here: https://www.briobooks.store/products/100-top-crops-you-can-grow Or, order my book from Vego (USA Only): https://www.vegogarden.com/products/100-top-crops-you-can-grow Elevated Garden Planters: Check out Vego Garden USA here https://glnk.io/jnwlw/selfsufficientme and use SELFSUFFICIENTME10OFF for a $10 discount. Birdies Raised Garden Beds USA: https://birdiesgardenproducts.com/SSMEbird Use code SSMEbird at checkout for 5% off. Epic Gardening Birdies Raised Garden Beds USA: https://shop.epicgardening.com and use SSME2020 at checkout for a 5% discount. In Australia, go to https://birdiesgardenproducts.com.au/ and use Code SSMEbird for a 5% discount. In New Zealand, go to https://birdiesgardenproducts.co.nz/ and use Code ssmebird22 for 5% off your first purchase. In South Africa, get Birdies Beds here https://www.birdiesgardenproducts.co.za/ and use code: self-sufficient Chicken stuff and preserving gear: Oz Farmer and get a 10% discount, go here https://ozfarmer.com?ta_aff=T4XRUZILS6 and use code T4XRUZILS6 at checkout. My Garden Plan: https://selfsufficientme.gardenplanner.com/garden-plans/1890355/ Check out Australian Landscaping Supplies for a 10% discount: https://www.australianlandscapesupplies.com.au/collections/self-sufficient-me?dt_id=1489901 If you find any problem with the link, use "self_sufficient_me" as the discount code on checkout. Plant Doctor Fertiliser: Go to https://www.plantdoctor.com.au/ and use SSME10 = 10% off products (not shipping). Ocean2Earth: https://ocean2earth.com.au/ Use "SSM" on checkout for a 5% discount. For Hoselink Garden Products, such as hose reels, go here: https://l.linklyhq.com/l/5uZu. You will automatically get a 10% discount on checkout! Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/selfsufficientme (the top tier enables mentoring from yours truly via an exclusive VIP email where I will answer your questions, etc, ASAP). Survival Seeds Aust and USA: https://linktr.ee/survivalseeds Use Code SSM at checkout for a 10% discount. Harvest Right freeze dryer website: https://affiliates.harvestright.com/1099.html For Australian freeze dryer purchase info, use the link above and contact Harvest Right directly. Aussie-made Forged garden tools: Go to https://gardentoolsaustralia.com.au/ and use code SSM10 for a 10% discount at checkout. Rolling Sifter: https://unclejimswormfarm.com/product/outdoor-compost-bin/rolling-garden-sifter/ https://rollingsifter.ecwid.com/ Compostyng (yes, it's spelt wrong deliberately) for 10% off. My second channel, Self Sufficient Me 2: https://bit.ly/331edDu New (third) Channel: Self Suffishing Me https://bit.ly/2LiIWqt Blog: https://www.selfsufficientme.com/ (use the search bar on my website to find info on specific subjects or gardening ideas) Forum: http://www.selfsufficientculture.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/self_sufficient_me Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Zi5kDv Twitter: https://twitter.com/SufficientMe Subscribe to my channel: http://goo.gl/cpbojR Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland, Australia, about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). Cheers, Mark :) *Disclaimer: Some links to products in this description and comments sections are affiliated, meaning I receive a small commission if you follow these links and then purchase an item. 0:00 Metal or Wood Raised Planters? 0:48 Self-Watering Raised Metal Planter Assembly 3:08 Positioning the Raised Bed 05:31 Filling the Bed 13:56 Planting Garlic in the Bed 17:01 Mulching the bed & Tips! 18:56 Wood or Metal? 20:48 Final Thoughts