In recent months, after drought, fire and flood, I have had questions from friends and family and clients about wicking beds – What they are and would it be a benefit to them in their context.
Wicking beds are something I use here at home, alongside other growing techniques, that help contribute to the productivity of my home. They are something I recommend to my clients. I have helped build on several occasions in different areas using different materials.
In a nutshell, a wicking bed is an enclosed garden bed that has a water reservoir on the bottom, and that this supplies the water for the plants growing above. The water wicks up through the soil so that it is watered from below rather than over saving time, is very water efficient. I have found it can survive our more extreme summers and still be productive.
Wicking beds were invented by Colin Austin an Australian inventor and entrepreneur who was concerned about the use of one of the worlds most precious resources in the way we grew our food – Water.
After much thought, design and concepts, he ultimately came up with this system that can revolutionise the way we grow food in our home gardens.
The real secret to the success of the wicking bed is to maintain the moisture levels of the beds at a more consistent rate, rather than the ebb and flow that can happen with the watering of our gardens – Too much (flood) or drought (not enough)
Some basic rules of thumb for wicking beds are always remember that the water will only wick up approx. 30cm. You need to have a hole in the side of the container at the reservoir level so that any excess water will overflow rather than build up and drown your soil and plants
There are several methods we can use to construct a wicking bed.
Something as simple as a polystyrene box, garden pots on the bottom, creating the water storage and then a piece of shade cloth, then the soil placed on top. The water wicks up the shade cloth and through the ground providing the plants with the water they need.
One of the most popular is using a 1000L tank (IBC) that can be cut in half and then divide the bottom half between the water storage and the top half soil. You can use river sand, works well though it can restrict the amount of water the reservoir can hold due to the small space between the sand particles. Another popular method is to use 20mm blue metal rock which will have a larger spacing for water. One thing to take into consideration is that sometimes broken up concrete can be mixed in with the blue metal and the lime within it can alter the PH over some time.
The third method I have been using, more so lately than in the past, is a method I was introduced to by Costa and his show ‘Costa’s Gardening Odyssey’ which used to show on SBS in what seems an age ago.
Using an older sealed packing crate, which interestingly enough can hold 9 old milk crates which will create the water storage. Then using geotextile fabric to drape over the top and the side of the milk crates makes the wick and also separates the soil from the water storage. Then place the soil on top
As an enthusiast and expert in sustainable gardening practices, especially concerning water-efficient methods like wicking beds, I've been deeply involved in utilizing and advocating for these techniques for several years. My expertise stems from practical experience, experimentation, and extensive research in the realm of eco-friendly gardening methods. I've witnessed firsthand the transformative impact that wicking beds can have on plant productivity, especially in regions prone to extreme weather conditions like droughts and high temperatures.
The concept of wicking beds revolves around creating an enclosed garden bed with a reservoir at the base, ensuring a consistent supply of water to the plants above. The innovation behind wicking beds was pioneered by Colin Austin, an Australian inventor and environmentalist concerned about sustainable water usage in agriculture. Austin's revolutionary system involves maintaining optimal moisture levels within the bed, preventing the extremes of overwatering and drought that conventional gardening methods often encounter.
Key elements to remember when constructing a wicking bed include:
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Water Reservoir Placement: The reservoir, usually at the base, should have an overflow hole at the level of the reservoir to prevent waterlogging and ensure proper drainage.
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Moisture Level Maintenance: Wicking beds operate on the principle of maintaining consistent moisture levels. The water wicks up approximately 30cm through the soil, supplying the plants with the water they require.
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Construction Methods: Various construction methods can be employed, ranging from simple setups using polystyrene boxes, garden pots, and shade cloth to more complex structures like repurposed 1000L tanks (IBC) cut in half or older sealed packing crates with milk crates as water storage, separated by geotextile fabric.
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Material Considerations: The choice of materials for the water storage layer is crucial. Options like river sand, blue metal rock, or repurposed containers have different water-holding capacities and considerations for plant health, such as potential alterations in soil pH due to the materials used.
Each method of constructing a wicking bed has its advantages and considerations, and choosing the most suitable one often depends on factors like available materials, space, and individual preferences.
In summary, wicking beds offer an innovative and efficient way to grow plants by utilizing water more effectively, contributing to sustainable gardening practices. The knowledge and experience acquired through practical application and continual experimentation have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the nuances and practicalities involved in implementing wicking bed systems for gardening enthusiasts and clients alike.
