Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that doesn’t appear in these FAQs, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 071 – 245 1658 or info@gardenstuff.co.za
Yes! Please head over to our other website www.chickencoops.co.za. Scroll down a little for lots of tips and tricks for the newbie chicken keeper.
Yes, there seems to be a growing trend of keeping backyard chickens in South Africa. Here’s why:
Factors Contributing to the Trend
- Rising food costs: The increasing cost of food, notably eggs and poultry products, is driving many South Africans to seek alternative sources. Backyard chickens provide a sustainable and affordable way to produce fresh eggs at home.
- Food security and self-sufficiency: The desire to control food sources and ensure food availability contributes to keeping backyard chickens. Recent uncertainties in global food chains have likely amplified this trend.
- Health consciousness: People are becoming more aware of the benefits of fresh, organic, and free-range eggs compared to commercially produced ones. Having your chickens ensures the quality of the eggs you consume.
- Urban farming growth: There’s increased interest in urban farming and homesteading practices. Chickens are relatively easy to maintain, even in smaller spaces.
- Pet appeal: Besides their practical use, chickens are low-maintenance pets that can offer companionship and be a fun addition to the family.
Important Considerations
- Local regulations: It’s important to check local bylaws and regulations regarding keeping chickens in your area. Some municipalities may have restrictions or require permits.
- Responsible ownership: Proper housing, feeding, and overall care are essential for the well-being of the chickens and to avoid neighbourhood conflicts (like noise and smell).
It is indeed to provide a better and quick understanding of the product’s size instead of imagining it with centimetres and millimetres. Helen, our female avatar, is 158.45 cm tall, currently the average height of an adult South African lady.
Buying a raised bed: 4 tips that beginners should consider
A raised bed is practical and easy on the back and offers ideal growing conditions for flowers, vegetables, fruit and herbs. You should consider a few things to ensure it stays that way.
Buy a raised bed, set it up and plant – that’s it? Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. Because even before you put the first plants into the soil, there are a few things to consider. But what exactly? We have four helpful tips that will make it easier for you to get started and enjoy an abundant harvest.
Buying a raised bed: 4 tips that beginners should consider:
- The material:
Whether plastic, metal, stone or wood, raised beds are available in various designs; of course, personal taste plays a significant role. But that’s not all you should consider.
Raised beds made of plastic are practical but can also release dangerous substances into the soil, and the same goes for tires and cinderblocks.
It is, therefore, best to ask yourself the following questions before making a purchase:
- How long do I want some of the raised beds?
- How vital is the organic or health factor to me?
- Is a smaller model enough to start with, or does it have to be a professional kit right away?
- Where is the garden bed to be set up?
The most popular materials for a raised bed are wood and stone, and the latter makes it indestructible. Such a raised stone bed can last for several decades with good care. And, very important: Never save on the price of a wooden raised bed. Most rookie gardeners learn this lesson only after gaining experience in container gardening.
- The underground:
In order not to experience any nasty surprises, the raised bed should ideally be on the ground. Irrigation water and rainwater can thus drain off unhindered and beneficial organisms such as earthworms can reach the interior. If this is not the case, the raised bed threatens to rot.
If you want to place your planter box on a sealed floor, remember to allow air circulation between the bed and the floor.
- The bed’s height:
The raised bed is a great solution, especially for hobby gardeners with back problems. An elevation of 75 cm is usually ideal. But be careful: when you buy, always keep in mind which types of vegetables or flowers you want to plant in the container. All herbs and most vegetables are happy with a planting depth of 23 cm. Certain root vegetables require more growing depth than others. For carrots to thrive, you should have at least 30 cm of space underneath.
- The planter’s location:
Think ahead of time about what you want to plant in your raised bed, then find the best place for it and know the size you need. For example, some plants prefer full sun, while others love a shady spot. Knowing beforehand how much space you have available on the terrace, balcony, or garden is advantageous and what you intend to grow.
How to unmask a chicken coop scammers website (or any other) in just a few simple steps:
• Click a social media icon like Facebook. You will probably land on a free website builders social page, like Wix. Scammers don’t have social media pages with a fervent following of fans.
• Check the provided business address on Google maps (https://www.google.co.za/maps). Usually, the location is in some town in a distant province, making it difficult to visit in person.
• Scammers don’t accept credit card payments, as it would be easy for the defrauded person to get the money back.
• Drop an image from the suspected website into Google search (https://www.google.com/) for an image reversal search. You will learn a lot about those products, who else uses these pictures and where those images originated.
• If it is a South African website, do a web address look-up on the ‘co.za’ Domain Administration (https://coza.net.za/) database Whois (https://coza.net.za/whois.shtml). Enter the web address and look at the date at ‘creationdate‘. Fraudsters’ websites have usually only been registered recently by someone outside South Africa.
• Check the refund and returns promises. You will be lulled into total peace of mind. There will be a “no questions asked 100% money-back guarantee”, and they shall even cover the cost of returns shipping cost.
• Look them up on Hello Peter (https://www.hellopeter.com/). Even if they started their fraudulent business not that long ago, some victim would voice their warnings soon.
• Compare products and prices with other suppliers. Are the prices too good to be true?
We reward planter collections from our Cape Town factory with valuable organic soils at no cost as it saves us the high cost of deliveries.
Many planters are shipped nationwide fully assembled. Most boxes that are elevated we partially take apart to ship them flat-packed. The recipient receives an illustrated step-by-step re-assembly manual to put them together again. We keep it simple and straight forward as we are gardeners and don’t want to face complicated or time-consuming handy work.
We can deliver our organic container potting soils around Cape Town, but they are not suitable for courier transportation due to the high shipping cost.
Once you have paid for your order, we send your item via courier to your door, so when we email you the waybill, you will be able to track the progress of your shipment.
Yes, we can colour-code our chicken coops. However, we might ask you to supply us with the colour codes.
Raising Backyard Chickens in the City: A South African Guide
Are you dreaming of fresh eggs, a pest-free garden, and the charm of happy chickens clucking in your back garden? Even in the heart of South Africa’s cities, this dream is more attainable than you might think! While it might seem like the domain of farms and rural living, keeping chickens in urban areas is growing in popularity, offering a unique blend of sustainability, practicality, and simple joy.
The Perks of Urban Chickens:
- Fresh, Organic Eggs: Enjoy the taste and nutrition of eggs straight from your backyard, knowing they’re free from harmful chemicals, steroids, antibiotics, pesticides, and hormones.
- Natural Pest Control: Chickens are voracious insect eaters, helping to keep your garden free of pests without pesticides.
- High-Quality Fertiliser: Chicken manure is a rich, natural fertiliser that can boost the health of your plants.
- Pet-Like Companions: Chickens are surprisingly entertaining and can become beloved members of your family.
- Educational Opportunity: Raising chickens teaches valuable lessons about responsibility, nature, and the food cycle.
Is it Legal in Your City?
Before you start investing in a coop, check your local bylaws. Most South African cities allow backyard chickens, but there are some regulations to be aware of:
- Number of Chickens: Johannesburg allows up to 10 hens, Cape Town allows 5, and other cities may have their own limits.
- No Roosters: Most cities prohibit roosters due to noise concerns. Don’t worry, hens lay eggs just fine without them!
- Coop Placement and Size: There may be rules about how close your coop can be to property lines or your house.
- HOA Rules: If you live in a complex with a Homeowners Association (HOA), check their rules regarding keeping chickens.
You can find the bylaws for major cities online:
- Cape Town: Policies, bylaws, and publications
- Johannesburg: Bylaws
- Durban: eThekwini Open Bylaws
- Bloemfontein: Municipal By-Laws
- Pretoria: Bylaws City of Tshwane
- Port Elizabeth: Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (Bylaws relating to keeping of animals)
Choosing Your Feathered Friends:
For beginners, consider docile, hardy breeds known for being good layers, like:
- Rhode Island Red: Friendly, adaptable, and excellent egg producers.
- Silkies: Fluffy and gentle smaller birds, perfect for families with children. Not good layers, though.
- Sussex: Calm and quiet, a good choice for smaller spaces.
- Australorp: Known for their dark, glossy feathers and impressive egg-laying abilities.
- White Leghorn: Energetic and prolific layers, ideal for maximising egg production.
- Lohmann Brown: A popular South African breed known for its high egg production and brown eggs.
- Hyline: Another top-laying breed in South Africa, producing large numbers of white eggs.
Creating a Chicken-Friendly Haven:
- Coop and Run: Ensure your coop is spacious, well-ventilated, and secure from predators. Include nesting boxes for laying eggs and perches for roosting.
- Coop Placement: Choose a spot with plenty of sunlight that offers some shade during the day’s hottest hours.
Daily Care Made Simple:
- Feeding and Watering: Provide fresh water daily and a balanced diet of chicken feed supplemented with kitchen scraps and treats.
- Cleaning: Clean the coop regularly to maintain hygiene and prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria. It’s so easy and quickly done with the coops from GardenStuff.
- Health Checks: Monitor your chickens’ health and consult a vet if you notice any signs of illness.
Beyond the Basics:
- Enrichment: Chickens love to scratch, dustbath, and explore. Provide them with opportunities for these activities to keep them happy and healthy.
- Winter Care: During colder months, ensure your chickens have adequate shelter and warmth.
- Egg Handling: Collect eggs daily, store them in a cool place, and wash them just before using.
Embark on Your Backyard Chicken Adventure!
Raising chickens in the city is a rewarding experience that can bring joy to your life and benefit your garden. With some preparation and care, you can create a thriving flock in your back garden. Remember, plenty of resources are available to help you on your journey. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from experienced chicken keepers or consult reputable online resources.
We hope this guide has given you the confidence to start your urban chicken flock. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
If you tap or click on ‘Keeping Chicken 101‘ on a few chicken coop product pages, it will take you to our other website, www.chickencoops.co.za. This website displays some of our chicken coops at the top; the 101 is right below.
You can try it out right here >>> Keeping Chicken 101
Most of our chicken coop customers are quinquagenarian ladies who don’t want to be bothered with drilling, sawing, hammering, and the like or hiring somebody to assemble the coop for the hens to move in.
This is not an issue in and around Cape Town as we deliver and set it up as part of our customer service, but most chicken coops are shipped nationwide flat-packed.
To make the set-up doable and by one person only, we have eliminated the necessity of all kinds of tools in the design, apart from a pair of spanners (supplied) to tighten some nuts lightly.
The result is a chicken coop, big or small, built with prefabricated components that one person slots together quickly. The development didn’t happen overnight and took us years to perfect. A little while ago, one still needed a screwdriver, but we got rid of having to use that tool too.
The re-assembly process is so simple that most people can do it, even without the aid of a manual. But just in case, every coop comes with an illustrated step-by-step re-assembly manual.
Many proud owners email us feedback and send photos of their newly acquired chicken coops; some even do us the honour by rating their purchase on the website. The simplicity of the re-assembly is frequently stated.
Mould on your wooden boxes is a sure sign of constant over-watering. Too much water over prolonged periods will shorten the lifespan of the timber. However, there is no reason to panic; no lasting damage has been done yet. Let the wood dry out good, and the fungi (mould) will disappear. From then on, be a bit more modest with the water, and you will have years of good service from your planters.
In Cape Town, we do most of the deliveries ourselves, especially the big and bulky planters. If we had to use a courier service, the transportation fee would be astronomical. However, if we can flat-pack those bulky items, the courier fees often become manageable. In most cases, we cover the entire shipping fee to compensate for the re-assembly by the recipient. The re-assembly is always straight forward and painless, and we supply an illustrated step-by-step re-assembly guide to assist.
Fortunately not. The ideal situation is to provide one nesting compartment for every three hens. It is not uncommon to observe one nest shared by up to three hens. They are not all laying their eggs at the same time, so the chickens take turns in occupying the nest. How do we know this? By counting the daily eggs per nest.
GardenStuff manufactures in unit 26 and stores the products in unit 25. Visitors are welcome weekdays from 09:00 and 15:30 or by appointment.
Entering the premises is at the visitor’s own risk, and parents are responsible for their children.
Find GardenStuff on Google maps. The driveway into the business complex is next to a purple coloured factory.
Not at all. We compete on quality. The people who want “cheap-cheap” are better off with the road-side sellers.
GardenStuff’s owner is fussy, or shall we say a strict German that insists on inspecting every item before it is allowed to go through the factory door. Only the best quality material is worked with. For example, using nails are a no-no for several reasons; it has to be rust-resistant screws. Reclaimed timber and pallets are not considered for health concerns and others. If a paint manufacturer stipulates three paint coats, four coats are applied. The aim is to deliver nothing but lasting quality.
- Superior Soil
For plants to thrive, they need light, fluffy and air-filled soil. Containers have less compacted soil because it has been filled in and is not walked upon, which allows the roots to breathe. The earth is more comfortable to work, and weeding is not such a pain anymore.
- Easy Access! What a joy
Forget bending your body into all crazy angles and poses to reach your favourite veggies right at the back. Avoid having to crouch down to pluck some fresh basil from your herb garden. One of the main appeals of raised garden beds is their accessibility and adaptability. If you are past the days of getting down on your hands and knees to get your thumbs green, use elevated planters. Because of their design, which is usually rectangular or square shape, it is comfortable to reach every plant, even those at the very back. Now you can examine every plant, water, fertilise and pick with ease.
- Utilise that precious water
We all know by now that water is a valuable resource, and we should use it well in our gardens. Wooden planters utilise water and moisture more efficiently than their traditional in-ground counterparts, due to the soil being less compact. So when you are watering a slightly loosened soil, it will absorb what it needs, and the rest will sink deep down into the ground and drain, encouraging your plants to thrive.
- Combat pesky pests
With planter boxes, you keep any underground critters out. Using elevated planters will keep your plants safe and sound from curious dogs and rabbits.
- Higher yield harvests
Because the quality of soil in raised garden beds and planter boxes is much better than that in ordinary garden space, they generally have a higher yield of produce. An abundance of freshly picked tomatoes, strawberries and mint– yes, please!
- Pretty plants all year round
Raised garden beds and wooden planters are great for moderating heat, as they tend to warm up quicker and easier, without overheating. With the soil being able to warm better, this creates favourable growing conditions for your crop for a longer time. So you can expect your general gardening seasons to be slightly extended, meaning more pretty produce more often!
- The aesthetic appeal
Yes, all gardens, not just those of the raised variety can be deemed attractive, but raised garden beds, if thought out and designed well are sure to become a focal point in your backyard and draw compliments from neighbours and visitors alike. Some common remarks you may hear include- utterly fabulous, I must have one, oh that raised garden bed is to die for!
Yes, you can pay with Visa or Master card, and you can select your preferred payment method on the checkout page. Apart from debit or credit card payments, we offer many other payment methods like Mobicred for instalments, MoreTyme, SnapScan, RCS, Instant EFT and Zapper. We are using the financial institution PayFast for online transactions.
If the soil is not workable, consider using raised beds or other containers so you can invest in good soil and put it right where you need it. That’s far more economical than trying to improve a vast space.
Yes, we ship all permitted products, most of them for free. We use a courier service for countrywide deliveries.
Please make use of the online shop on this website.
- It’s easier to control soil moisture and raised beds do drain better as the soil is already loosened up.
- Better control of soil conditions. One will not continuously have to add pricey soils and amendments, only to watch them sink into the ground or get washed away.
- The local ground may be unsuitable for achieving good growth, or the land could even be toxic or unhealthy. Raised beds provide you with the right soil at the proper depth, as well as confining the moisture to the right area. You know and can control what is in your soil
- The extra height is easier on the back.
- There is no need to till, no need to hoe, and much less weeding.
- Containers warm up faster, which is an advantage.
- No problems with moles provided some chicken wire is laid down first before filling up a bottomless raised bed.
- Elevated planters eliminate problems with dogs and rabbits.
GardenStuff Returns and Refund Policy
We strive to ensure our customers are completely satisfied with their handcrafted carpentry products. If, for any reason, you are not happy with your purchase, please review our policy below:
Standard Returns
- Suppose you change your mind about a standard, non-customised product. In that case, you may return it within ten days of receipt for a full refund, provided it is unused and in its original saleable condition with all packaging intact.
- You will be responsible for the cost of return shipping.
- Please get in touch with us at info@gardenstuff.co.za to initiate a return.
Defective or Damaged Items
- We take pride in our workmanship. If you receive a product that is defective, damaged or does not match the agreed-upon specifications, be sure to get in touch with us immediately at info@gardenstuff.co.za
- At our discretion, we will repair, replace, or issue a refund for the product.
Custom-Made Items
- Due to their personalised nature, custom-made items are not eligible for standard returns.
- If a custom-made item arrives damaged or defective, please follow the procedure outlined in the “Defective or Damaged Items” section.
- We will work with you to rectify the situation and may provide a repair, a replacement, or a partial refund, depending on the circumstances.
Non-Returnable Items
- For animal health protection reasons, animal shelters and feeders are non-returnable.
Process for Refunds
- Once your returned item is received and inspected, we will process your refund within seven business days.
- Refunds will be issued using the original form of payment.
Limitations
- Our returns and refund policy does not cover normal wear and tear or damage caused by misuse or improper care.
- We reserve the right to refuse returns that do not meet the conditions outlined in this policy.
Consumer Protection Rights
- This policy operates in addition to your statutory rights under the South African Consumer Protection Act.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns regarding our returns and refund policy, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@gardenstuff.co.za
We appreciate your business and want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase.
Yes, we can, but is it advisable? Most herbs and vegetables have a shallow root system. So don’t go overboard with requesting a deep container as you will be wasting costly soil and expensive wood.
Linseed can only extend the lifespan of wood if applied correctly and re-applied every couple of month. A once-off application will not do much to preserve the timber over time.
An answer to the second question is entirely dependent on the regularity of the treatment.
On a side note, the main enemy of timber is a wood-destroying fungus that thrives in moist conditions. Avoid constant overwatering, and give the wood a chance to dry out from time to time. Doing this will extend the planter lifespan considerably.
Yes, we can waiver the shipping charge provided it is possible to pack the ‘free delivery’ product together with the ‘no free delivery’ item and it will not result in a substantial extra charge for us to absorb.
No. If it states ‘Free Shipping’ or ‘Free Delivery’ on the product page without limitations, then its free shipping to all cities and towns in South Africa. Louriesfontein in the Northern Cape might be problematic to reach, but we will still try to find a solution.
Yes! This issue is of high importance for us. Chicken coops are not cheap and need not only to survive the harsh winter weather conditions in the Cape, but the coops still need to look attractive after a couple of years.
Here is what we do:
Base and Chicken Run
The hen-house rests on a Base off the ground. The Base and the Chicken Run is made with solid, thick pine battens that have been CCA pressure-treated (CCA: Chromated Copper Arsenate). This procedure offers long-term protection against attack by wood-destroying fungi. It requires no maintenance.
Chicken Mesh
We don’t use galvanised chicken wire as it has a short life-span. Galvanised chicken wire will eventually rust and become brittle and pose a danger to chickens and children alike.
We use a robust plastic mesh instead. Granted, it is much more expensive, but it lasts for decades and will not change its appearance. It requires no maintenance.
Hen House
We make the chicken house with solid pine panels, rust-resistant screws, galvanised bolts and stainless-steel hinges. We treat the timber with an expensive marine-grade wood sealer that soaks into the wood and does not create a film. The treatment process takes between three and six days to complete. The same method is applied to ocean-going wooden yachts.
However, it does require maintenance once or twice a year, which is a quick and painless procedure.
One needs a kitchen sponge (the green and yellow ones) soaked in mineral turpentine to scrub off the upwards facing surfaces like the roof and egg-box lid. All other surfaces are not that important.
Let it dry for around six hours and then give it a maintenance coat or two with Woodoc Marine 50 and you are done. It is quick and easy and will ensure that your hen-house looks pretty and will last for many years to come. Woodoc 50 is available in any builders or bigger hardware shop.
Please don’t use sand-paper and don’t use any kind of lacquer, shellac, polyurethane, varnish and wax.
No problem. Instruct us to email you a secure credit and debit card payment link from PayFast.
You can pay with a Visa or Master card, but we do not accept Diners and American Express.
No. Even galvanised chicken mesh will eventually rust, become brittle and fall apart. Not only does it look unsightly, but it can become a danger for chickens and children alike. GardenStuff uses a robust plastic mesh instead. This plastic mesh lasts for decades without changing its appearance.
No, it’s not a foregone conclusion that having backyard chickens will automatically lead to a rat problem. The same goes for composting with edible food scraps, pets, or other animals with readily available food. While there’s always a potential risk, taking proper precautions can significantly reduce the likelihood of attracting rats.
Chickens are messy eaters by nature. They tend to scatter and spill food while pecking, attracting unwanted pests like rats. However, a “No Mess” Chicken Feeder from GardenStuff can help prevent spilt food and minimise the risk of attracting rodents.
Here are some tips to prevent rat problems in your backyard:
- Use a “No Mess” Chicken Feeder: This feeder is designed to minimise food spillage and deter rodents from accessing the feed.
- Store all food in rodent-proof containers, including chicken feed, pet food, and compostable scraps. Metal bins with tight-fitting lids are ideal.
- Clean up spilt food promptly: Don’t leave any food scraps lying around.
- Regularly clean pet feeding areas: Remove leftover food and water after each meal.
- Maintain a clean compost bin: Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods to your compost, as these can attract rodents.
- Secure your coop and compost bin: Ensure there are no gaps or holes that rats can squeeze through.
- Consider using rat deterrents: There are various natural and commercial rat deterrents available, such as peppermint oil, ultrasonic devices, or traps.
By following these tips and maintaining good hygiene in your backyard, you can enjoy your chickens, compost, and pets without the unwanted presence of rats.
You probably had a bad experience with a low-quality planter. Yes, all outdoor wooden things will rot eventually. But they will only do so “in no time” if abused. Constant over-watering, for example, is such an abuse. Some people want to do good by lining planters with plastic. This should not be done as it traps moisture in between the plastic and the wood.
If looked after, one can expect years of good service before some maintenance might become necessary. GardenStuff uses thick timber, not thin planks like from pallets. GardenStuff uses rust-resistant screws, not staples or nails that rust. Why? Because rust causes wood-rot to set in.
We’re thinking about getting a chicken coop, and yours looks to be the nicest I’ve found! And the reviews I’ve read are great 🙂
We’re just worried about attracting more snakes (as there are a lot of snakes where we are in rural Gauteng), and I am mostly just worried about our kids encountering snakes while collecting eggs. Do your designs consider snakes in particular, or do you have amendments/suggestions for us that we could add to your coops?
Dear Jessica,
We understand your concerns about snakes, especially with young children. Many of our customers are in areas with a high snake population, so we’ve given much thought to this issue. In the 12 years we’ve been building chicken coops, we’ve never had a single report of a snake getting into one of our coops.
We design all our coops with snake safety in mind:
- Solid Construction: The henhouses are enclosed with solid wood on all sides, including the bottom, to prevent snakes from slithering in.
- Screened Ventilation: Even the ventilation holes are covered with fine mesh to keep out unwanted visitors while allowing for airflow.
- Secure Doors: The chicken door and egg box lid close tightly, leaving no gaps for snakes to exploit.
- Elevated Design: The entire coop is raised off the ground, creating an additional barrier against snakes.
- Enclosed Run: The chicken run is fully enclosed with durable, tightly woven mesh that snakes cannot penetrate.
With these features in place, snakes will have difficulty accessing your chickens or eggs as long as the doors are closed.
Linseed oil has been used for centuries to protect and maintain interior and exterior wood. Thanks to its non-toxicity and environmentally friendly characteristics, it is undoubtedly one of the most popular finishing oils globally.
Impregnating the wood to saturation, linseed oil provides a golden hue, becoming amber over time. It deeply nourishes wood while providing flexible protection that is waterproof and abrasion-resistant.
Raw linseed oil has a drying time of about three days or more.
Key features of linseed oil:
- Non-film forming (as opposed to varnishes)
- Waterproof, elastic and wear-resistant finish
- Satin finish
- Slight smell of grass
- Deep penetration
- Golden to amber
- Affordable and ecological
- Easy to use
- Easy care
- Drying between 12 and 24 hours if polymerised and drying agents are used.
- Enhances the beauty of the grain
- Dried by evaporation and oxidation
- Compatible with most oils
Want to do it yourself? Here is how to go about it:
- Sand the wood with 120-grit sanding paper to ensure good oil penetration.
- Mix the first coat with a mild citrus or odourless thinner solvent for better penetration.
- Apply the first coat with a brush, roller or cloth.
- 10 to 15 minutes after application, wipe the surface to remove any excess oil. Failure to complete this step will leave you with a sticky surface.
- 2-3 coats, applied at 12 to 24-hour intervals, are necessary for proper protection. Make sure you follow the directions specific to the product you’re using.
- For an ultra-soft touch finish, proceed with a light sanding with 600 or 800-grit sandpaper or fine steel wool at least 24 hours after the last application.
- Maintenance will have to be done about twice a year or according to the wear of the finish. Dry-looking or discoloured wood indicates that you must reapply a light oil coat. Clean the surface with a damp cloth, let dry completely and apply the oil, wiping off all excess oil after 5 minutes at most.
That’s the secret to a beautiful satin finish that will always retain its original appearance, given proper care.
Important: Getting rid of oil-soaked rags
A cloth soaked in linseed oil may catch fire! Dip the rags in water to prevent an exothermic reaction, and the danger is averted.
Yes. Planks from pallets are too thin. They are not suitable for planters that are filled with soil.
We don’t recommend lining a wooden planter. Moisture will get trapped between the lining and the timber and cause wood rot to set in.
Also, if a plastic lining is used, its leaching chemical components might be an issue of concern for an organic gardener.
There is, however, an exception. If you use a planter treated chemically or made from pallets and grow edibles, the inside should be lined with food-grade plastic to reduce the risk of chemicals leaching into the soil and the plants.
The short answer is, Containers have a bottom, Raised Bed Gardens are bottomless.
The short answer is yes; you can plant directly into the container.
The most significant issue with containers that have a wooden bottom is good drainage.
Excess water must be able to drain through and escape to prevent undue wood rot. It also prevents plants from having long-lasting “wet feet” which causes root rot to set in.
We design and construct our wooden planters in such a way that makes lining and other methods superfluous.
The second most important issue is using a potting soil that is suitable for containers to get good results. The soil needs to be light, fluffy and porous and won’t become compacted in the box. The mix should drain well, but also hold moisture.
Don’t worry about getting an order right straight away.
No order is ever binding and at no point are you compelled to accept something that you are not 100% happy with.
Place whatever you like into the shopping cart. Add the delivery address on checkout, and this is it. You are not asked to make a payment, or commit, or add credit card details – nothing. We only ask for the delivery address as we need it to calculate the shipping costs.
Once you have done the check-out, we will email you with the shipping cost details. It is then up to you to accept or to add or remove products, or bail out altogether. Only once you are satisfied with your shopping list and the costs, we will email you a proforma invoice. Even then you are by no means expected to make payment. A proforma invoice will automatically be cancelled after a certain time if it cannot be matched to a transaction.
For our planter boxes, we use natural, solid and uncontaminated pine from sustainable forests in the Cape.
To protect your health, we do not use reclaimed timber or wood from pallets.
All our planter boxes are 100% organic.
Common Mistakes To Make:
The biggest mistake is when you fill your raised garden bed with only potting soil or compost. The earth will drain too quickly, washing away nutrients and the plants will starve.
Never add organic material like straw, grass, or wood chips into the soil. They work great for the top of the soil to use as a mulch to keep in moisture, but never as an amendment into the ground.
Never add organic material like chicken, sheep, goat, horse, or cow manure into your garden. It must be composted first, as in, it must no longer look like poop anymore or have poop-like shapes.
The Best Soil Combination:
The goal should be to create an ecosystem for plants which is well aerated yet retains moisture and nutrients, feeds the roots, encourages worms and other microbial activity, and is, in essence, a living, breathing soil.
The best soil combination for raised garden beds should have two parts:
- A good base or growing medium.
- High-quality amendments to feed your plants.
50% of your growing medium should be compost.
You can use animal-based compost (composted manure from chicken, goat, horse, or cow) or plant-based compost (composted wood chips, grass clippings, straw, leaves, kitchen scraps).
Both work well.
25% of your growing medium should be coconut coir.
Coconut coir is the natural fibre obtained from the husk of coconuts. It’s sustainable as opposed to the commonly used peat moss or sphagnum moss, which takes thousands of years to redevelop. The purpose of coconut coir is to keep the soil aerated while retaining moisture and nutrients. Coconut coir also has a neutral pH, unlike peat or sphagnum, which is more acidic.
25% of your growing medium should be sand.
Sand offers aeration and drainage. Use coarse sand if you can get it and stay away from beach or dune sand.
Adding amendments will ensure your plants have plenty of food to grow into nutrient-rich plants:
- Azomite
Azomite is essentially rock dust; It’s got lots of minerals and trace elements that you want back in your garden. Mineral depletion in our soil today is a real thing. Add it to your ground, and your garden will thank you with high-yield produce! - Worm Castings
Worm castings are essentially worm poop. It is a great soil enricher and food for your plants because it not only provides a good source of nitrogen, it also attracts more worms into your garden. Worms equal a healthy garden. - Bone Meal
Bone meal is a mixture of finely and coarsely ground animal bones and slaughterhouse waste products. Organic gardeners use it to add phosphorus to garden soil.
The calcium infusion from bone meal helps plants develop strong and healthy cells and seeds. It also strengthens the stems and aids in the development of new shoots in perennial crops and shrubs. The calcium in the bone meal can also help prevent common problems in vegetables such as blossom-end rot in crops like tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.
How to fill up a Raised Garden Bed:
Do you need a ground cover?
Yes, if you have moles or place the raised garden bed on grass. Otherwise, don’t bother.
If there is a danger of moles, place the raised bed on some chicken wire. This will prevent moles from digging their way into your box.
If your raised bed is to be on grass, put down some cardboard first to prevent grass roots from growing in the box.
Try not to use a plastic sheet, as desired earthworms will not get into your raised bed.
- Fill up 2/3 with compost.
- Add a layer of coconut coir.
- Add more compost.
- Add worm castings, rock dust, bone meal, and coconut coir.
- Repeat step 3 and 4 until the raised bed is full.
- Plant your herb and veggie seedlings and water well.
If the container is intended to be on bare ground, it will not necessarily need to have a base. Having a base adds substantially to the cost. A bottom is only beneficial if the container is on paving, or a deck, etc.
If your concern is moles or penetrating grass, put down some chicken-mesh or cartons first.
To illustrate, compare the prices for two equally sized planters, the ‘Jumbo, on Ground’ and ‘Bottomless Raised Bed, Square’.
We would recommend using raw linseed oil. It is entirely non-toxic, easy to apply and does an excellent job in prolonging the lifespan of your planter.
Just a word of caution when applying linseed oil. Liquid linseed oil in the can is no more hazardous than any other oil. But left-over linseed oil on rags, paper towels and so on has the unique ability to generate heat as it dries – sometimes getting so hot that it bursts into flames.
To protect the health of you and your family, we do not use wood from pallets, as they are often chemically treated to conform with international shipping laws. Some of those treatments contain toxic substances like Arsenic (Arsenic is a known human carcinogen and can be lethal in high doses), a poison that you might end up eating, should you grow herbs or veggies in wooden planter boxes.
The wood we use is uncontaminated, natural timber from sustainable forests in the Cape. Our planter boxes are certified 100% organic.
We do not use reclaimed timber and wood from pallets, as many are treated to conform with international shipping laws. Some of those treatments contain poisonous chemicals like Arsenic (Arsenic is a known human carcinogen and is acutely toxic), a poison that you might end up eating, should you grow herbs or veggies.
The wood we use is uncontaminated, natural, rough sawn timber from sustainable forests in the Cape. Our planter boxes are certified 100% organic.
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Sale products and custom-made items are not accepted for return.
Please speak to GardenStuff’s management about how to go about this or email us info@gardenstuff.co.za.
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If left untreated, wood will begin greying, which is caused by UV rays. Any wood that is left outside exposed to the elements will eventually rot. The speed of the decay depends on one thing only: Is the wood allowed to dry?
Four conditions rot needs to occur:
- Wood
- Oxygen
- Warmth
- Moisture
So what is the one thing that causes decay?
Fungi. The simplest of all plant life. Microscopic fungus spores are all around us. Wherever they land, if the four conditions above are present, then you will have rot, and that rot will continue as long as those conditions are present.
Even if you remedy the conditions, the fungus is still present and will resume growth (aka rot) when the conditions are more favourable.
All of GardenStuff’s products are constructed with nothing but Quality in mind. No corners are cut and no cheap components are used. All products are used by the business owners themselves, to test and learn how their creations live up to expectation and how quality and functionality can be further improved. If something goes wrong within a reasonable time-span and there is no sign of abuse or misuse, all will be done to rectify the problem.