Title image above is copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

First published 2nd February 2025

These are hedge bags, I love them to bits, and have them everywhere!

And if you think they’re being used to dump garden waste then you are almost correct!


copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

The smaller one is 40 L and measures 200 × 200 × 1000 mm

The larger one is 90 L and measures 300 × 300 × 1000 mm

These are designed to have hardwood stakes pushed through slots at top and bottom, which provides rigidity and enables them to be carried if required. I have heaps of bamboo stakes here, and use two or three of those per slot instead.

When I have a lot of clearing or trimming to do, I set one up nearby in under a minute, and throw all the waste into it. Much like those large collapsible garden bags, except I don’t empty these hedge bags. My goal is more permanent.

Admittedly this is not instant, but over time that waste will decompose and create an almost ready-to-go garden bed rich in organic matter.

I say “almost” as the initial volume will decrease with time as everything breaks down, and you’ll need to top up with or incorporate other media to fill the bed. Or you could of course keep topping up with new waste to break down until it is completely full or you run out of patience or time.

Or skip all the above and go straight to filling it up with your planting medium of choice from the outset!

These hedge bags make it too easy to create a garden bed — just plonk one where you want, fill it up however you wish, and move it if you change your mind!

Here for example, once ready to go, these two (preferably two of the same size for neatness!) could be used to grow something up the side of the shed. They can prep the area at the same time by killing the grass whilst there, making the laying of weedmat or heavy mulch for lawn maintenance easier.


copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

Where they really shine is they can literally go anywhere they will fit. You could put them on a concrete path, or on a verandah, or even on an apartment balcony

I am growing strawberries in this 40 L bag on concrete:


copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

This is metre-high turmeric growing in pure compost in another 40 L bag tucked into an otherwise impossible to grow-in area. I am so impressed with this that I shall see how the galangal goes next season in one of these.


copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

The possibilities are endless with these — chuck some thicker branches in the bottom that are otherwise hard to get rid of, then fill with lawn clippings, leaf litter, and other small matter. (Do break up any lawn clippings though, otherwise they will mat and reduce the infiltration of water and air needed for decomposition.)

One other major advantage of these hedge bags is that these sit flush with the ground. The drainage holes in the bottom enable water to leave via capillary action, rather than pooling in the bottom as with regular pots. It’ss fair to say though, that the rate of drainage probably wouldn’t be as effective as in raised, more permanent timber and metal above-ground garden beds, which have no bottom.

But still, this flush-with-the-ground nature is appealing, and I am seriously considering filling one with my homemade succulent mix, simply because I’ve run out of undercover room for some larger succulents which need plenty of drainage from the rain we get. I need to get some space cleared first, but it will make an interesting follow-up post to come!