Beautiful DIY vegetable garden build (start to finish) 

Please never rush any project you do just so my lazy ass can watch it at an earlier date on my couch. Take your time and breathe easy.

So beautiful! Just a suggestion for one of those Occy christened pavers...permanently seal the pawprints on one of them as a forever Occy memory of this time. ❤

Serious veggie gardener here - grow what you love to eat, but don't plant it all out at once or you'll get a glut and make mistakes on a bigger scale. Start with 2 beds, put multiple crops in the one bed (taller at the back) and if you want to be planting root veg like leeks, beets, carrots, radish - plant a second crop about 3-4 weeks later so just as you finish the first crop, you got more coming. Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach are different, you can just keep picking as they grow more leaves. Suggest following the SustainableMe Aussie RU-vid guy as he is in a similar climate to you and you'll learn heaps about veggies in a tropical zone. And the exciting bugs and fungal pests you will be learning to make peace with 😅

Stop saying sorry for anything you don't owe us a video you need to love your space and keep doing what you love

It’s not just a garden, it’s a living space. And it’s magnificent! Great job.

Gosh. I hope you sit back and realize how far you've come. It's all looking great Max.

Your relationship with your brother is just wonderful, and your voices are so similar. 😊

A trickling water feature would allow guests to wash off their veg before enjoying it at the table AND aid in meditation. Something small and solar. Amazing job!

MAX THIS looks phenomenal!!! Can’t wait to eat from your garden 💛🌱

So many RU-vidrs are dropping out or cutting back drastically, because I think they’re not able to enjoy their lives. Max, we are all blessed to be invited on your channel to watch you evolve and create something beautiful in the most magical place ever. Doesn’t matter what you do, it’s always a blessing. 🌻🐝🧡

We don’t need a project per video! Just take us along for the ride, no matter how long it takes. We love seeing the process and learning along with you. Keep up the awesome vids!

Your veggie garden is beautiful. Being raised will help prevent back problems when you get older. Trust me, I know from experience. Great job.

You turned an ugly patch into a paradise. Well done Max. Your dreams are so beautiful continue in this streak. Hugs and love

My advice on what to grow. Pick your fave veggies, that's what you like to eat so it makes sense to grow them.

Max, we love videos from and about your and Occys adventures whenever. Give yourself a massive pat on the back for your great outdoor living space/veggie garden. Looks amazing. You have to look after yourself before you can look after anyone or thing else, apart from Occy lol as he is just an extension of you. Can't wait for your next episode whenever that is xxx

Oh my gosh it looks fabulous!!! Those garden beds are stunning! Because they are so deep, don’t try filling them all the way with soil. Fill them two thirds to three quarters of the way full of wood and other compost materials from around your property. As you clean up palm fronds and dead branches, cut them up and dump them into the beds. You might even want to go back to the “tip” (which we would call a stump dump) and reclaim the refuse you dropped off earlier. You don’t need more than a foot of soil for most garden vegetables, so save your money for seeds and seedlings. Just make sure that the refuse you put in the bottom is all good, compostable material, no treated lumber or man-made materials. As the compost breaks down, you might need to add more soil to the top as branches and leaves compact, but you’ll only be buying small batches of soil each year, not metric tons all at once.

OUTSTANDING! You did good on making the high raised beds -- you are young now, but eventually you will bless the day you put in raised beds! I have tall raised beds, too, and I can give you some great tips on filling them. First, place a layer of large rocks, filled in with smaller gravel, in the bottom of the beds to aid drainage and prevent the spigots from getting clogged. Next, find an arborist near you who chips up the branches and leaves when they take trees down. Arborists are always looking for places to dump their wood chips for free, so usually you can get a massive load dumped on your property for nothing. Just be sure to specify NO BAMBOO leaves or stalks in the load. No problem if there are twigs and leaves in the load -- actually good. Fill each raised bed half full of wood chips; they will break down over time and make incredible soil teeming with the soil life and mycorrhizae you need for healthy plants. They also hold a lot of water -- acting like a sponge to absorb and release water in dry seasons. Then get some really good soil: be careful here not to get topsoil from just anywhere -- it can have herbicides and pesticides in it, besides being depleted of organic matter. I recommend a top quality bagged organic soil meant for raised beds. It's expensive, but super well worth the money starting out. Bad soil can set you back YEARS. Fill the beds within 6 inches or so of the top. Over the course of a year, your soil will settle a lot as the wood chips rot, so that allows you a year to create compost piles so that you can add 6 inches or so of new compost every year as the wood chips further decompose in the bottom of the beds. I would not do a wicking garden in your climate. Too wet. The wood chip "sponge" will do the trick. Be sure to leave your drainage spigots open ALL the time. Good luck!

Your videos are literally the most important thing in my week as it’s a reminder to live life peacefully and without things cluttering up your mind

Mark at Self Sufficient Me just posted a how-to video in the last couple of days with step by step instructions for making and filling self watering/wicking garden beds from these IBC totes. If you’re not familiar with his channel, he’s in Australia, and has a very substantial home garden. Lots of helpful and practical info about growing your own food. Wicking beds are useful, even in a relatively wet climate, because they provide a very consistent and low effort water supply, which is very important for many of the veggies you may want to be growing.

The veggie patch is beautiful; raised beds are the only way to go. I love the table and chairs in the middle. And I especially love the lighting.

Tip for filling the beds! (works for regular ground gardens too) 😊 Fill from the bottom up with layers: start with logs, then branches and sticks, grass clippings and veg waste, then compost, and top soil. This method is called "Hugelkultur" and is supposed to work really well for garden boxes since you're creating a balanced environment that will break down over time, feeding your plants but has drainage, etc. 🌱 It's also MUCH cheaper than filling an entire box with soil! 💰 I'm gardening like crazy in my own yard and am learning so much right alongside you! It's so rewarding to work outside on your own land 🤠 You put in a ton of hard work and it shows! Well done. ~Meredith & Bandit 🐾

Max, don't put so much pressure on yourself. Just post it and well see the finish in the second video. Your doing so well. New roof, asbestos removal, new walls, new electrical, furnished home, built in dining seating, decking and outdoor shower, gate and fantastic veggie area. I love that you put road base down, best way to stop the weeds.

Max the giggles with you and your brother THE best. Don’t be sorry about the videos not getting to us. When we get them we get them. Just enjoy the process of making them and take as long as you need. Now for the veggie garden - just wow bud. Looks amazing. Can’t wait to see them full of herbs and veggies. ❤️🏡🍎🍓🍋🍇🥕🌽🥰

Definitely make it a wicking garden bed, with an overflow spout, so it doesn't matter how much it rains and you can easily go away travelling and your plants will survive.

Your love for nature is making your house a home.

This episode made me smile from ear to ear- the brotherly banter, occy, and the result. Glad your brother finally made it to your slice of heaven.

Watching you meditate on the beautiful fig filled my heart. I’m so glad you prioritize yourself even while creating this beautiful space.

Goodness. Don’t stress over a deadline. Be flexible with yourself and the project. We enjoy it all either way but we also want you to be enjoying it all as well!

Not Occy circling the veggie patch to get to the drone, priceless! I love the waist high planters. I may have stuck with gardening if not for all the pulling weeds on my hands and knees! Beautiful job, Max. So nice to see Tom in the video. I’m sure you loved your time together. Wishing you and all, a peaceful week. Prioritize your mental health this week everyone 😊

Max, you just named your property: The Glorious Fig! 😊😊

The funniest thing happens in our house (Lake District,uk) at the 12mins 6secs mark. Wallace , our 7month old Labradoodle starts to search the house like crazy looking for Occy as he barks at your brothers arrival😂

Dude! Your veggie garden is AWESOME! Just the right amount if bougie! Never beat yourself up for having to abandon a project due to weather! I personally LOVE all of your projects; inside or out. I appreciate you and Occy 🥰💜🐾💜

That looks like a calming space. And a passion fruit vine could work on that outer fence

Absolutely beautiful work on your dream garden Max! To save money on dirt, I half filled my raised garden beds with branches, logs and hay then soil. Flowers mixed with veggies that you enjoy is always a beautiful planting arrangement. Remember; in order to prevent root root rot, lots of drainage holes is key especially since your planting area is so large within the containers. Don't forget about the umbrella! Keep up the excellent work and give Occy a big old hug from Detroit! 😃👋

Max! You are way too hard on yourself! You are perfectly fine! Don't rush on our account. What you've created is amazing! You get more completed in one day than probably most of us in months! I REALLY like the garden/living space! I am definitely going to steal this one! Be sure to fill up the tanks half to 3/4 with bio-mass, otherwise, the cost for gardening soil, well, you'd probably have to take out a loan! In addition to what you mentioned, use cardboard as well - as the base. As all of this breaks down, you are providing nutrients to the soil. PS: That Occy smile? It shows his love for you!! 💕 Have a blessed day and a fab week!! xxoo

Max, I think like me you’re slowly learning DIY projects take longer than planned, please take it as a really good opportunity to show your community the actual time/effort it takes. Things like weather, supply issues & other obstacles/challenges can only be factored in so far - then reality happens. If projects take longer - then they take as long as they take, feel free ton give us a part one with a part two to follow - it shows truth & authenticity which is a HUGE help to those of us who are also DIY’ers trying to get projects done. Love watching your youtube videos & especially the cutie that is Occy🥰

It's always so rewarding to see your "grunt" work turn into something beautiful, beneficial and sustainable. Keep up the awesome transformations Max + Occy!

Those raised beds are brilliant! I would add stone to the bottom (just higher than the spigot) so when it rains like it does, you can drain off the water without clogging the outlet. Then some wood chips or debris to help nourish the soil through the years, then lots of good soil. I plant one or two bean plants in every bed because they help replenish nitrogen. Plus they are tasty! I also like to grow edible flowers, they are tasty and look really pretty in the garden. Oh & I always buy some earthworms from bait shops/garden centers to add to the soil- they are little powerhouses in the dirt!

Wow! What a beautiful space. That is the nicest garden I've seen. Nicely done.

Hey, max, what a transition? I'll keep it short because I know everybody loves you. You're magnificent and this garden is to die for so Zen🎏🎑🧧🎋 wonderful.✨️✨️✨️ Pretty darn gorgeous.

Never rush for us. We’ll be here for you whenever you post. Love you and Occy. Congratulations on the garden.

Max - stop worrying about meeting a schedule. If you don’t get a project done it just means more content for us next video. The veggie patch looks amazing!😍🇨🇦

It looks magnificent! I absolutely love the entire space. I don’t think you need to put that kind of pressure on yourself that you need to start and finish a project in each video. Just live your life and post what you have accomplished. If that isn’t much because it’s been raining or you needed a break then that’s ok. Take a week off from posting or whatever you need. I think you put to much pressure on yourself and completely these tasks in such a short time frame. Relax, we love watching anything you do. Nice to see your brother again and of course Occy. ❤

This look amazing!! Don’t forget to put a stocking or something similar over the valve of the ibc’s so your rocks don’t end up full of dirt giving the weeds somewhere to grow!

Wow! Double our pleasure double our fun! Two Max’s for the price of one! Your brother sounds and looks just like you! Love the family vids!

Well done Max and congratulations to your supervisor, Occy, for overseeing the transformation. Now, go and have a good rest. 😎

You should add green waste ie logs, branches etc to the garden beds. It’ll help reduce the amount of soil you’ll need to add and overtime it’ll slowly breakdown and add nutrients to the soil. It looks awesome.

I came across you a few weeks ago, and i just can't get enough of Max and Occy. I can't go a day without watching one of your clips. You share your ups and downs, you are so inspirational. Keep them coming. Loving Occy, what a great doggo.❤

❤❤❤❤❤ stunning... no other words needed... you have transformed a broken house, a messy yard to a beautiful spare spot for your van and an absolutely stunning raised bed!!

Might want to watch a couple videos from Jake and Nicole. They live off grid ( very off grid) in the forests of British Columbia. He is an expert gardener and you will get some invaluable information for sustainable living in a rainforest. And how to grow your own food. He has to deal with critters too...just bears and bibvats. Your paradise is beautiful.

Just remember! When filling the raised garden beds, most veggies only need 12 inches of top soil, I hope you consider the hugelkultur layers, so you do not waste your time and money on filling the entire bins with soil! It is so gorgeous! Stunning! Bravo Max

O my goodness. You have to stop calling it a vegetable patch it is definitely a vegetable oasis. I am 66 and you’ve given me so much to think about for my vegetable oasis. Probably only have space for two of those containers but I will definitely put the bar top on and the solar lights. Well done you’re amazing. I so look forward to your videos. Your editing is so good 💜🌝

Your garden space is truly magnificent. You and Occy have turned that space into something sustainable as well as beautiful 🪴🐾🪴

Garden beds are typically lower because it needs less fill. Make sure you drill drainage holes in the bottom of the beds. I'm assuming you did, but I didn't see it. Fill the bottoms of the bed with logs, then smaller branches, then twigs and leaves, grass clippings. You only need about 15-25cm of topsoil. Well done! That is a great garden space!

Having been a dream, Therapist in the not too distant past, I particularly love that this idea came from a dream. ❤

'How does it look?' Sexiest garden space I've ever seen! The details, the forethought, the creativity. You are THE hardest working man! Enjoy, jealous I can only enjoy from a distance 😅.

your parents raised two great boys

We fill the bottom of containers with wood debris that can rot, but won't negatively change the soils chemistry. I'm in USA, so, you'll have to watch some videos to see what's best to put in the bottom of your containers from your area. Saves you lots of $$$. A beautiful job. It was nice to see your brother. Always great having family around. Thx for sharing Max and Occy. 💛

Back in the day my grandparents were avid gardeners and never bought veggies from the shop. They used to say that the soil was the most important part of growing stuff. When they prepared the soil for a new plot they always put a layer of rotting wood down first then then the soil so the wood got to break down over time. just as mother nature intended. If you don't have any old wood it's ok fresh will do. Absolutely love following you and Occy and all your visitors. You are a star!!!

Two comments: 1. Seeing you and Tom giggling together was so precious! Brothers forever. 2. Hügelkulture!

Fantastic multifunctional and relatively economical garden space. You’re right that in most instances the veggie patch is shoved off to the side. You have made it another stunning center piece to your property. Well done 🎉

You made an absolutely beautiful veggie patch. There is absolutely nothing but you can't do! Nice of your brother helping you, and of course Occy helped you all the way through also.❤

My Gosh! You show us your rough plans and then we see the finished project and are BLOWN AWAY!!

Hi Max! No stress completing any project in one video. It’s about the process, not the product. I don’t mind if a project takes you 5 or more videos to complete. Your down time, meditation, family & friend clips etc are also amazing to watch.

The design is so beautiful and I loved watching this project come to life! Incredible work!

Your brother could be your twin!!❤ Max relax! You are an amazingly hard worker, lots of hugs from Katoomba , Kim, Rosie 🐕 and Brindi 🐈.

Chill Max! We aren't going to die without a video for a week 😉 even though I love seeing Occy. I agree with you 100% about having the raised beds high enough so you're not bending as much. It's one of my plans to do beds at 900mm high so I don't throw my back out. I also come from a long line of black thumbs, but I have done some short permaculture courses. I'd highly recommend watching some videos on permaculture, and get your hands on Bill Mollison's books. He's the grandfather of permaculture. Good luck.

What an amazing vision you had Max. It turned out so lovely. Please don't ever worry about "getting the video out on time." You and Occy are so appealing and likeable anything, anytime you publish is fine with us.

Max please dont stress yourself about getting the video up, we can watch when you do, even if we have to wait, its not a problem. I just love seeing what you and Occy get up to on your property. The garden space is so beautiful and what a wonderful space to chill out and take a break. Tomatoes would be great to grow there and will have a wonderful smell, and easy pickings when you and relaxing there. Occy is so funny with trying to work out how to get round the trailer to not liking the drone lol. Have a great week x

Your veggie garden is fabulous!!!!! You'll be able to grow tons and tons of food with these 4 beds. The only advice I could give you is what a master gardener told me with my tiny little garden. First use only good organic potting soil. You might want to talk to a full-time gardener there who can tell you what you need to use in your soil - what additional amendments. As for what veggies, I would say several different kinds of lettuce, kale, and onions/scalloms, etc. in one of the containers. In another, use squash, carrots, cucumbers - different kinds of all of those. After that, I'm at a loss - talk to a professional!!!!! I'm so proud of you and Tom. Max, you did a phenomenal job of laying your plan out, and good on Tom for helping you get in all in place. I could tell the two of you had a lot of good laughs along the process. So happy about that. I look forward to seeing the little growth peeking their heads up. Good luck, Max!!!!!

Hey here’s an idea, u could put a rlly long tree swing somewhere, one that swings out rlly wide. Since you have so many trees to choose from and so much space. There’s nothing like suspending yourself in the air, smack bang in the middle of a rainforest!!! Love the new garden space . 😊

It’s not the height it’s the depth on all 4 sides that makes or breaks how easy the gardening is. If you can’t reach the middle from all sides it’s more difficult to plant & harvest veggies. That’s why most raised beds are thin and long because it’s easier to reach across them.

I admire your continued vulnerability and advocacy in regards to mental health. Also, I think Occy likes the new outdoor bed…I mean veggie garden you made him 😊

Finally you have convinced me to try Headspace. 50 years of fighting anxiety self doubt etc. Most of the time I can cover it for other people, but it is never far away. I will let you know how I go. As for the garden, I never feel better than when I am in it. Not sure how you are going to fill such a depth, but I would start with perhaps decomposed sawdust and heaps of mulch, even bags of leaves, spolt hay , barley, Wine tailings etc..even old newspapers, wool carpet shredded. Anything that will decompose organically. For me it was seaweed and pineneedles. You will only need about 18 inches of good soil, making sure that it is free draining. Otherwise it will cost you thousands of dollars to fill those large bins. You can add more as the other decomposes. Careful about growing cropping vegetables on the fence as your efforts will be annilated by the wallabies. Maybe run another wire about 2 feet out if you want to do this. Also possum s will easily climb that fence. Run another very floppy wire around the top so they have nothing stable to hold onto. We were severely impacted by mice and rats this year and had to run very fine birdwire right around the compound. They ate my seedlings, stripped the broadband and corn. And I guess birds will also be a problem. Just saying.....the parrots are stripping my olives at present.Thankyou

Your veggie garden is beautiful and practical. Love the cladding and the lighting. You’ve done an incredible job again!

Wow! When you put your mind to something you don't mess around. This is a beautiful creation all around. What a place to chill out and enjoy!

So bro, whenever you're filling the trailer with green waste, put a tarp down first. Then when you get to the tip, just pull on the end of the tarp and it all comes out in one big mass, plus a clean trailer for a win:win.

You should put false bottoms in the container and that way you will not have to put so much soil in them. I have raised square foot gardens and they work very well for your back as well. I am having to put screens over them as the little critters come by and eat until their hearts are content, mainly black squirrels. You have done a great job and I love the idea of sitting there with the plants surrounding you with a cup coffee and a good book... excellent! Only use cedar for the false bottoms and will last a long time. Don't forget about drainage either.

With the solar lighting, it looks like an exclusive CLUB - Congrats Max, good to see Tom again too 😊 🎉

Gorgeous!!! When you trim any of your vegetation throw it in bottom of your garden bins. May want to consider cucumbers on your fence. Make one bin your herbs and plant rosemary thyme basil savory (winter and summer) marjoram dill. Check local nursery and see what butterflies and bees like to help pollinate. Most importantly what veggies do you like? Grow them and have fun!

Im 68, not in the best of shape...this is definitely a place I could....and would do some gardening!!

Your hard grunt work really paid off. You’ve created a beautiful practical garden. Personally, I believe gardens should be more than just a spot to grow food. A garden should also be a retreat, a place to relax and you’ve accomplished that - adding the sitting area was a brilliant idea. As for utilizing the perimeter fence… you could use it grow more food like cucumbers, beans, peas, melons, squash, even tomatoes … all of which are vining plants. Lastly, you could add Solar bistro string lights on the fence if ever you want additional lighting around the edges.

hugelkultur raised beds, you would have heaps of rotting timer and logs around load them up and put a layer of nice veggie garden soil mix on top with sugar cane mulch.Itll just get better with time.

Self sufficient Me RU-vid just put a video out about the way you can fill your beds. It has turned out to be a beautiful spot. Looking forward to seeing how you fill them and what you are going to grow.

Woooaaaah Max !!! Oh my lanta that is some beautiful! Certainly a job well done ❤❤❤❤ I love how functional the entire space is and how cozy it is already, even without the plants. You execute your projects with such passion, dedication and a really stable plan to follow. It turned out exceptional. It was also some lovely to see your brother. And Max, I know you feel pressured to finish the videos and projects (and I know it’s a job..) but.. please know, we will still be here to watch it later on. You’re a human, you deserve to enjoy the process, rest and do other things that aren’t project related. I adore you and Occy, and am grateful to get to follow along so thank you. Take care of your mind and soul in the process. I’m also proud of how much you ARE looking after yourself and mental health. As you always say, be kind to yourself and to others ❤ Have a beautiful weekend friend

Yay! I love my Sunday morning visit with Occy 💙 (& Max too lol)

Grow the things that you love that are expensive to buy, like bell peppers or asparagus. Grow tomatoes and carrots (!), which taste SO much better than store-bought. Grow some flowers, sprinkled amongst the veggies. You could let cucumbers and squash spill and sprawl down the sides of the planter boxes. Grow herbs, cuz it's amazing to go out and clip some thyme or basil to add to your dinner. You've created beauty. Well done.

This garden looks wonderful, and when you get your veggies you can put them straight onto your plate and eat it at your dining table. It is beautiful 💖

Just be grateful you got the roof done LAST year!!! And the garden is looking so good despite all the rain!

What a beautiful garden Max!! Well done! Just a reminder to put more drainage holes in the bottom of those totes. Can't wait to see your veg growing!

It is beautiful and I love the idea that it is raised. I love gardening but I hate that I’m constantly bending down. When filling your garden use dead wood in the bottom and fill it up with other dead materials from your surrounding. This help with the costs of soil ($$) and watch out for insects that can helpful (bees and butterflies which help to pollinate) but also harmful insects as well. You did an awesome job.

I grew up on a farm in Maine, and later I had my own garden just outside of Tallahassee Florida. This is the MOST IMPRESSIVE vegie garden I've ever seen!!! I love everything about it!

Looks fantastic max, maybe look into a really big cattle panel that you could attach to box & bend into an arch to opposite box & grow a vine or creeper or even cuecumbers on & it will provide shade over table & make picking fruit or vegetable easier too.

Max the garden is beautiful. What a place to sit and enjoy the fruits (vegetables) of your labor.

I love Occy's contribution...he holds down the fort ❤😂

Max, your vegetable garden looks absolutely stunning. I loved how you laid out and positioned the boxes with the pavers and river rocks. Also to add table and chairs in the middle to sit, chill and relax with nature around you. I totally agree with you to have the vegetable boxes made higher so that you can attend to your vegetables comfortably instead of leaning over or bending down low. Lastly, the night shot with the lighting was also awesome. Well done! 👍🏾

I think you may be the most amazing Man I have ever seen. NEVER doubt yourself, you are incredible! So is Occy because of you

Yay! Max & Occy on this rainy Sunday morning. Your veggie garden is just perfect. Hug to Occy 🐾 🐾 ❤

Your garden worked out beautifully.Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Even though the garden beds are empty, this is already the most beautiful and brilliant veggie garden I've ever seen! I'm looking forward to watching the next step, which I'm guessing will be the "lasagna" layering!