I’ve been dreaming of this moment since March 2020; 2 weeks before lockdown when I attended the Philadelphia Flower Show & was first introduced to the Vegepod – a raised garden bed kit based out of Australia that is truly changing the game when it comes to growing your own produce. Let’s just say it’s been a LONG TIME COMING where I’d have the opportunity to not only have the space to grow my own veggies, but be able to do so in the heart of deer/rabbit/fox country here in the suburbs of New Jersey. Long story short – it hasn’t been possible for me to effectively accomplish until now & I’m so grateful.

Let’s backtrack for a moment – my mom ended up buying a Vegepod while at the Flower Show last year. We were entirely sold on the fact these beds are completely deer/critter proof due to its height off the ground & durable mesh cover that still enables the proper amount of sunlight with protection for optimal produce growth. You’d think that’s too good to be true – now add the self-watering feature and you’ll feel as if you’ve hit the jackpot. As someone who tried to grow a vegetable garden with my mother, it’s extremely hard to maintain when you’re battling the war of the temperatures & pests 24/7. With Vegepod, all the hard work that goes into growing your produce safely & effectively is taken care of for you.

Corduroy Button-Down | (Similar) Denim | Boots | Gardening Gloves

Also loving these assortments of spring button-down shirts & rain boots

So as I mentioned above, my Mom is the reason I decided this was something I wanted for myself the moment I had the space & ability to harvest my own produce. She started with one large Pod and now has a total of FOUR! She didn’t think the obsession would hit so hard but once she started harvesting her homegrown produce, there was no turning back. After tasting some of the lettuce and peas she was growing, it’s actually astounding how much fresher and tastier these veggies are right from the soil. In fact, it’s made me so much more aware about how many preservatives/wax coating features are placed on the produce we purchase in order to preserve it for retail sale. Don’t get me wrong, it makes sense why farmers do it but after tasting lettuce fresh from the soil, I couldn’t get that satisfaction out of my head. I’ve honestly been chasing that sensational feeling ever since & now, I finally will get the chance to experience it again.

There are three Vegepod sizes available from small to large, as well as Vegebags that allow those in more-confined homes/apartments to successfully grow produce despite outdoor space limitations. I went with the Medium-Size Pod with a Raised Stand & couldn’t be happier with my choice. It’s the perfect size to grow a substantial amount of produce while still maintaining “control” over tending & harvesting. Although I truly don’t have to do much when it comes to caring for my growing produce other than trimming and watering here & there. What’s also great is that there’s a built-in reservoir underneath the 8 cubic feet of soil this particular size Pod holds – so in the event we get tons of rain, my veggies will remain well hydrated without my personal interference. But in the event I ever had to leave for an extended period of time, I could easily hook up the hose and activate the self-watering feature, should I be concerned.

Now I know you’re wondering how this could possibly be deer/critter proof, especially in this high-trafficked area of NJ where you can’t grow anything without animal interference. But the magic of protection stems from the Vegepod protective cover – made of polyethylene knitted mesh that combats the both harshness of UV Rays and all the critters that normally take interest in your crops. This cover also helps manage temperature by allowing water & air to penetrate; and for the harsher months, you can purchase a second Hothouse layer that will Greenhouse your crops during peak winter temps. In fact, you can add some protective security of the cover itself with the addition of clips that are very easy to install & secure the protective cover to.

As we continue to grow our veggies here in our new Vegepod, I’ll be sure to add every new development within the process to my Outdoor Garden IG Highlight. But ultimately if you’ve ever wanted to grow your own produce without the stress of deer/critters & maintaining a watering routine, I truly hope you consider a Vegepod for such a rewarding endeavor. Not only will you find immediate satisfaction & success with growing your own produce, but it’ll inspire more time outside & enjoying the process all the more worthwhile. And if you tell me, the latter is probably of most importance to remind ourselves of these days.