An EarthPod™ is a simple, but cunningly-designed miniature farm. The Classic EarthPod measures 2200mm x 1000mm x 600mm high, covered by a hoop tunnel that creates a protected micro-climate.
The carefully-optimised size means that you have enough space to grow a significant amount of food, and yet can easily fuss over the plants inside (so, for example, insects can be removed by hand, and not with pesticides).
An EarthPod™ is a large, raised-bed garden. It contains layered compost, organic materials, soil, and other natural nutrients. At the very bottom is a water-retention layer from which water rises through the soil by capillary action. This approach to watering by wicking reduces evaporation loss, encourages strong root systems, and means we can keep the plants healthy without using wasteful hosepipes and sprinklers.
If you need more food than one EarthPod™ can produce, then simply adopt more than one EarthPod™.
If you are a confident gardener, we can install an EarthPod™ for you and you can tend it yourself. If you are busy, tired, over-stretched or would rather gnaw off your own arms than spend time gardening, then we can look after it for you.
Wood
Wooden EarthPods are pre-assembled, so installation is simply a matter of preparing a level surface and loading in the watering system and earth layers. It takes three or four hours. We offer wood that is carefully sourced for sustainability and performance.
The woods we are offering at present are:
Kiln-dried pine
Our Kiln-Dried Pine is chemical-free, and our most wallet-friendly way into urban permaculture. Pine EarthPods are coated with Rubio Monocoat, an eco-friendly, VOC-free hard-wax oil produced in Belgium. This provides superior longevity and liquid resistance whilst maintaining the appearance of the wood.
Pine EarthPod, sealed with eco-friendly Rubio Monocoat
Pine EarthPods are sealed in your choice of natural shades 1 to 12 on the chart. Bright colours (13 to 20) are quoted on request
Off-the-grid food supply to complement the off-the-grid electricity
Pine EarthPod (you can visit this EarthPod at Chardonnay Deli in Constantia)
Siberian Larch
Siberian Larch is a sustainable, slow-grown, high-density softwood. It is comparable in hardness to oak, has natural resistance to fungus, and can be used without treatment (untreated, it will weather from its raw straw-to-golden colour to a silvery grey). It is one of the strongest and hardest commercial softwoods. Because of its durability, it is traditionally used for cladding and boat planking, and it looks great.
Siberian Larch in its raw state
Japanese Cedar
Japanese Cedar is naturally insect-repellant and resistant to decay, so it doesn’t need chemical treatment. The wood fades to a silvery grey, or can be sealed to preserve the original colour. Our 38mm Japanese Cedar is sustainable, and comes from an FSC-certified supplier. It also smells nice, which is why they make cigar boxes and high-end furniture out of it.
Japanese Cedar EarthPods, busy repelling insects
Japanese Cedar EarthPod being beautiful in a corner
A Japanese cedar EarthPod on its own patio
A Japanese Cedar EarthPod tucked discreetly behind the greenhouse
EarthPods doing what they do best: growing food in small spaces
Cover and kits
If you have an existing raised-bed garden, you can use our covers and kits to turn it into an EarthPod.
Covers only
If you already have a food garden, you probably wish you had nicely made covers like ours to keep out harsh weather, insects and animals. We now sell the covers separately, which should make your garden significantly more productive.
