Birchgrove, NSW

A lady in Birchgrove commissioned a couple of attractive raised wicking beds to make the most of the sun in her front yard, with herbs and vegetables in mind for this pretty urban setting. On the narrow heritage blocks of Birchgrove and the Balmain peninsula, front-garden space is precious and often the sunniest part of the property, so a smart-looking bed there is frequently the best way to grow your own.

We built the two beds to sit well against a period home — clean lines, quality timber — so they add to the streetscape rather than looking like an afterthought. Being wicking beds, each keeps its water in a sealed reservoir below and feeds the roots from underneath, which suits a compact inner-city garden perfectly: no runoff across the path, no daily watering, and a steady supply even when the owner's away.

The peninsula's warm, sheltered aspect and the heat reflected off nearby walls make for a productive little microclimate, and these beds will keep herbs, salad and a good rotation of vegetables coming close to the kitchen for much of the year. Fully lined and self-contained, they sit neatly on paving or a small front lawn without mess.

All our timber is kiln-dried and vegetable-grade with a food-safe finish, chosen to weather Inner West seasons for years without rot or the need for sealing. If you've a sunny corner in Birchgrove, Balmain or Rozelle you'd like to turn into a good-looking, productive garden, we'd love to help you plan it.