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Vegepod Raised Garden Bed Kits
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Frame connectors poor quality
I have owned the Vegepod for approximately 3.5 years. Whilst the overall design is good the vegecover frame connectors are made of poor quality material and is NOT durable. They started cracking into the 2nd year of use and is now most connectors are no longer usuable requiring replacement. I had it in a partially shaded area. I would have expected better quality given it's price.
Purchased in June 2018.
Problematic
On principle the vege pod looks great. Upon receiving the boxes. Put the frame together found the watering hose missing and the tubes were sent within days great! I say only to find the netting did not fit. Requested replacement which was received but attempts to stretch the cover as advertised in the video was hopeless as it’s application required the strength of superman to fit it in the frame. At this stage there is a gape on two sides.
Not sure how other people get it together.
TS
Nsw
Purchased in May 2021 for $600.
was hoping for better veggies!
Set up my vegepod at my cabin in southwest British Columbia. Didn't need the irrigation line as we get lots!!! of rain.. Herbs grew really well but alas the slugs managed to find their way in and ate my cabbages which initially looked great. Tried some cherry tomatoes but the 2 plants outgrew the large size container.
Nest year will wrap some copper around the legs so the slugs won't climb up and in and will stick to small growing veggies and herbs.. Even though it wasn't a great success it was still fun trying
Purchased in October 2019.
- 2 reviews
LOVE THE CONCEPT BUT THERE ARE A FEW FLAWS
Was very excited when I found the Vegepod. Received it quite quickly and started to put it together only to discover that one of the corner struts was bent on the trolley with wheels. customer service was great and they sent out a replacement straight away. Then it was time to put the actual pod together where again I found there was a piece missing. Luckily I found a similar piece at Bunnings because Vegepod never did send out the missing piece, even though they said they would. Now after three weeks I see the wheel area connections are now r...
Read moreusting. It’s such a great idea and my Vegas are growing but a few simple things could make this really good. For the cost of it - it’s not cheap I’m disappointed. Was going to buy another medium sized and small Vegepod but don’t think I will if things start to rust after only 3 weeks. DisappointingPurchased in July 2020 for $600.
Hi Leahbel thanks for the commentary and sorry to hear wasn't quite perfect. We have also changed the wheels this year to improve anti-rust.
Hope the veg is growing well!
Thanks
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- 4 reviews
- 2 likes
Disappointed, bugs still eating my plants
I saw an ad for the vegepod where it made claims about pest free growing with the cover, so I invested over $500 to get the large one with the stand. It was a bit of a nightmare to assemble the base as it did not line up but finally got it. Bought quality soil and put my plants in. The plants are growing okay, not any better than the ones that I have in raised garden beds, but was horrified to find that something is eating the plants.
The cover has been on the whole time, apart from the few minutes where I water the plants. The clamps us...
Purchased in February 2020 at TVSN (TV Shopping Network) for $538.80.
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for giving us an opportunity to clarify things. Let's go through point by point. Did you ever contact our customer service to discuss btw?...
Read more 1) We do say that it stops the vast majority of pests and this is 100% true. As you allude to, pests can be brought in by soil for example (irrespective of their graded quality), the tiniest of aphids (size of pinheads) are going to get through any mesh (even Vegepod's super fine grade) etc, and some can even slip under the canopy between the wall and canopy but there are ways to avoid that. There are great FAQs around this on our website too. 2) Unsure as to why you had problems lining up the base and it "being a nightmare" for you. A strong emotive word there so clearly frustrated and we are sorry to hear that. This is highly unusual and indeed contrasts greatly to our typical rave reviews saying how clever it is without requiring any tools (please see on here and on the Vegepod Owners FB page - not run by us mind you) and how the instructions are very clear. We do have assembly videos on our site too which makes things fail-proof. Perhaps you did not go to those? If you'd like to expand on those initial troubles we will review it with you. Thanks. 3) You are clearly frustrated by pests which we can help with. Remember "just putting netting over normal beds" not going to get you like for like as you infer. We trust you will get to notice and appreciate all the features and benefits as you delve deeper into the actual gardening use of it (eg: the microclimate, the hinging, the self-watering wicking wells, the irrigation misters, the no weeding, the no harsh elements, the raising of the bed, the anti-flooding overflows, the food safety, the portability, the durability etc etc). Please call us in future and we can talk you through it all Deb. Have a great growing season and we look forward to hearing from you soon.- 32 reviews
- 44 likes
- Verified
Limited life of some components, flawed design
I purchased a large vegepod with a cover from a Mitre 10 store in February 2016. I closely followed recommendations to raise it (using besser blocks and sleepers), and a mixture to fill it with. Vegepod staff were very courteous and helpful with this (and a missing parts issue).
However plants did not thrive: the perlite in the mix and in the water catchment attracted mould, the use of overhead irrigation encouraged fungal diseases and weed growth in my SE Qld location, and it attracted large numbers of bush cockroaches which I have since learn...
Purchased in February 2016 at Mitre 10 for $349.
Hi Wary,
Thanks for the courteous and well explained review and giving the opportunity for us to educate all.
Yes, the model five years ago had stainless bolts which eventuated being “not so stainles...
- 14 reviews
- 14 likes
Okay product. Quality control needs improvement. Not good in windy areas.
Hello I purchased a Medium Vegepod with cover and stand off TVSN and I have some problems. The sprays leak and one is fitted off centre so not all areas of the pod receive water. The other issue is the cover blows off when wind reaches 19 Kilometres per hour. The lid also blows off whilst hinged open when tending to the unit with only minimal wind. Fortunately the hose prevents the lid from blowing away completely. TVSN also shipped to wrong address.
Purchased in February 2019 for $400.
Hi Matthew, Thanks for the review and providing us the opportunity to explain.
The sprays should not leak. Did you contact the office? They will provide spares if required. The sprays on any angle d...
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Good concept but product quality seems very poor
I excitedly bought my Vegepod last year along with the stand for my tiny courtyard. Having grown up in the self assembly era I am no stranger to flat packs but this took it to a whole new level because the quality of the parts didnt fit easily together and there were too many of them. Once I eventually got it together it was out of square (and still is), the legs are not overly sturdy and the rust has already stained my tiles.
The cover on top has been effective in keeping the bugs off but the irrigation system has leaked since day 1 so I have...
Okay but does have a few problems, already showing signs of rust
I started using my pod less than 2 months ago. In the lid section there are already rust stains at the base of the vertical poles where they meet the cross bars. I only noticed this when the lid was turned upside down when the retraining cord came undone, and the rusty water flowed out through the plastic joining pieces.
I've pushed the retaining clips firmly into place but the lid does come off ift you open it up and the string comes undone. Not sure how it will perform in high winds but I think I will probably have to tie down the lid as t...
Read morehere are only two clips at the front, four would be better. I find the sprinkler system is patchy and no longer use it - some areas receive no water at all, whereas one of the nozzles is far too forceful and causes water to pond, this causes patchy seed germination. Be prepared for some strong pongs and loads of small flies if you add the amount of cow manure the instructions recommend. I have the large pod and stand and find the growing surface area to be very good, the plants that are growing, grow well and I'm delighted with their progress - already eating radishes and lettuce. You need a strong surface to stand it on as it is very heavy when full.Gday Growing Better, Thanks for the review and the opportunity to respond.
You must have one of the older frames. They have been changed to stainless steel in more recent times. They shouldn’t break ...
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- 3 reviews
Finally put together the trolley.
The instructions are terrible. Had to download the pdf so I could make out the individual items. I returned it to the supplier and received a replacement. Rang the company and by trial and YouTube got it together. 2 issues I had were the nuts (27 instead of 28) and 1 of the angle trolley supports had a lip on the inside castor hole that made it difficult to feed the bolt through. Used tthe allen key to help it lock into place. I persisted and won. Hopefully won't have the same problem with the vegepod unit.
G'day Anna, Thanks for the feedback, albeit just on the trolley stands and not the pod or the fun growing part yet! Look forward to hearing your growing results.
The paper instructions have indeed ...
Thank you for replyinf to my review. Putting together the vegepod was a breath of fresh air compared to the trolley. Used the YouTube vids to help. Had it completed in less than an hour. Looking forw...
Read moreard to the growing part. I will be telling others about it. Will be starting my garden once I work out what I want to plant.I have an ant problem and bought the Vegepod so I could grow veggies without finding my plants got at. Went away for a week and came home to find the veggies happy and healthy. I tell everyone about t...
Read morehe Vegepod. Need to get another one so I can grow more!Challenges.
As someone who rents, I love the concept of the vegepod. I have the large version with two tables to support it.
My concerns are:
1. Canopy flies every time there is any wind
2. The spray system does reach the outer regions of the pod and plants that I located in order to climb up the arch have died. Adjusting the spray seems quite simple - change the location of the holes so it is more far reaching.
3. The clips for the arch do not seem to hold it securely & it keeps popping out.
4. I tried to call customer service to register my concern...
G'day Michele, Thanks for the review, we love all the feedback.
1. The canopy should definitely not move whenever there is wind. That is exactly what the hinge clips are made for. Do you have the lip...
- 4 reviews
Not What I Expected
I found it hard to put together. Really is a two man job.
The hood kept coming off the base whenever I opened it and had to be slotted back in - very annoying
Hard to grow a combination ofl vegetables - especially a combination of tall and short as the only place tall ones can grow is in the middle otherwise the plant is squashed by the shape of the hood
The sprayer inside the hood kept coming away from the hose so I had to water by hand which meant lifting the lid which meant reattaching the lid as it kept detaching itself.
I ended up n...
G'day M Adams, sounds like you had rough run. Not typical and probably could have done with some advice along the way methinks. Did you try getting in touch with our mob?
We have an assembly video onl...
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- 3 reviews
- 2 likes
- Verified
Great...but
We have two small ones and they are great, have grown all sorts of veggies and herbs successfully. However, there are two 'faults'. The product is presented as being pest free but this isn't the case as small insects get in easily through the gap between the canopy and pod itself. I've since put in sticky yellow insect catchers which does work but it is a real pain having to constantly change them as they fill up quickly with dead insects. So, a long way from being pest free. The other issue is that the ends of the canopy frames are rusting, not a good look. It isn't the nuts and bolts as they are plastic.
G'day Manny, thanks for the review and allowing us to provide comments for everyone to see. There is a tiny 2mm gap between between canopy base and wall once hinged down but we wouldn't say that it le...
Read moret's pests in "easily". It will indeed keep the vast majority of pests out such as big ones like possums and birds and also the majority of the most destructive small ones such as cabbage moth, white butterfly and slugs/snails. The only pests really small enough that can get in are aphids. Some small insects getting in are good for pollination and not really pests unless destroying plants. Re the poles we have since changed them to gal steel. Although the slight rusting in the ends of the old ones where the powder coat flaked inside connectors doesn't typically ruin the integrity of the poles, the discolouration if for nothing else was worth changing them hence we did. If you would like some replacement poles just email us!According to our local nursery, when we took some examples to them, one of the bugs that gets into our pods are cabbage moths.
I will take the replacement poles if they are no charge, thanks
G'day manny, In that case you have brought the cabbage moth in with your seedlings. The gap is too small for them to enter as adults I assure you 100percent. Nurseries do not protect heir seedlings li...
Read moreke our canopies do (unless they are spraying in the nursery which quite a lot do without telling people). Anyway, to ensure no cabbage moth or white butterfly are born into your pod you should run your fingers over the leaves both sides so as to clean off any eggs. They can be size of pinhead yellow cylinders and not in clusters so hard to see. Spend ten mins with them and run over leaf first!bolts rusting on legs
When I saw Vegepod's in Elsternwick and on TV thought best item i had seen and purchased a few. They are fiddly to put together. The plants with good soil premium works well. The disappointment in first ones is that the leg bolts have rusted and will need to be replaced and Vegepod should supply with recall....
G'day Jim! I remember dealing with you and hope you're all good. I recall seeing the pics of the set up and you had some issues with putting the canopy over etc. We have since put up assembly videos ...
Read morestep by step to help overcome any issues some may face. Re. The bolts, it was quite a long time ago and we have since changed the leg bolts to stainless steel. Just send us an email to info@vegepod.com.au asking for replacement bolts for however many size stands you have - no drama! Happy growingNovice gardener
I had a lot of trouble putting it together. The mesh is so tight the frame is a bit bent. I have not been able to secure the lid on properly as the little plastic clips wont stay in the bottom bit. So the lid just sits on top and gets blown off in the wind. I love the idea of the VegePod, have had 1 good crop of leaves and herbs. Its like I need an expert assembler to check mine out so then it will be more user friendly. I bought it when I saw the product on Shark Tank plus as an Avalonian I was keen to support a local business
G'day Lesley, thanks for the review and allowing us to cover off some points enmasse. Glad to hear you have had good crops too.
Usually if the mesh is super tight this means the poles weren't forced a...
Questions & Answers
My vegepod is not thriving
Tomato leaves turning yellow
Strawberries not fruiting
Spinach not growing
Any ideas?
Hi Anne, Sounds like a classic case of either not enough sun or not rich enough soil (or both!). Please also feel free to tap into the Vegepod Owners FB groupd (not run by us!) where over 10,000 podde...
Read morers are all helping and sharing. A lovely mob and great resource. Thanks and welcome to the family!I cant find a way to prevent build-up of large mats of very fine roots, no matter what I have grown in the soil. This has never happened in my regular garden so I would love to know why it does in the pod and how to deal with that, apart from a huge amount of energy to pull it all out and separate the roots from the soil
Hi Proodle,
Not quite sure what you mean as a difference to any other garden bed. Hopefully i can help with a little advice. All plants will build up roots in the soil directly beneath them for genera...
how much is the small size
hi pam
the base unit with canopy is $199.
stands are optional extras
thanks
Get an answer from our members and Vegepod representatives
Details
Features:
- The Vegepod Raised Garden Bed Kits are contained, making it easy to control the growth and quality of your veggies away from the ground and pests.
- It’s self-watering - a wicking system waters the plants from below the bed, letting your greenery last weeks without needing to be watered.
- A protective polyethylene knitted mesh cover protects your crops from pests and UV, and also regulates temperature by letting water and air get through.
- An overflow hole helps prevent the flooding of soil, so you’re not left with over-watered plants.
- This kit comes in a small, medium, and large size.
Points of praise:
- A number of reviewers reported that the pod’s mesh cover effectively protected their plants from the elements, and particularly helped seedlings survive even in high winds.
- They also said that the kit was easy to put together, even for gardening and DIY novices.
- According to reviewers, the pod’s self-watering worked well, which made maintaining their gardens very low maintenance.
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Hi Paul, After 4 years some of the older models have been known to crack and they are easily replaced. We have increased the UV stabiliser and thickness of those parts too. Please contact info@vegepod.com.au
thanks