Newtown, NSW

A gentleman in Newtown requested some wicking planters beds with a soil base deep enough to grow bamboo screening.

This was a challenging job in a number of ways: First, the space was very limited so we customised the width of the beds to fit the space.

Secondly, the hard surface we were installing on sloped in two directions, undulated and had a step down at the back. We adjusted the beds to level to keep the water reservoir from flooding, and maintain an airgap under the soil.

And to top all of that, the Sydney weather blessed us with heavy rain during the install.

We were pleased with the outcome, and look forward to seeing these beds bursting with bamboo that will not need watering often due to the underground water reservoir in our beds.

Paved courtyards and tight, awkward spaces are the norm in Newtown and the Inner West, and custom-built planters are often the only practical way to garden in them. Sizing each bed to fit, as we did here, makes the most of every centimetre, while the reservoir below keeps even thirsty screening plants lush with little watering.

It is a good example of how a raised planter can solve a difficult site rather than just decorate it. Built from durable, food-safe timber, these planter boxes are made to last on a hard urban surface. UrbanVeg builds raised planter boxes and raised garden beds across Newtown and the Inner West.