That part about allowing the soil to dry out occasionally rather than being moist all the time makes a lot of sense. That moisture can benefit fungi and other harmful bacteria. ...detrimental to the plant's roots. Love that.
@Sydney Spice have you ever watched videos on Johnson Su bioreactors? You might learn some very, very useful information about the massive benefits of fungi and bacteria on plant growth and agricultural production.
I cut my iron residential oil tank down for a wicking bed plus a raft hydroponic tank; the latter doubles as a reservoir for heating the polytunnel, which is ditched around and mainly wicking naturally in the rain belt :)
Thanks Rob, I'm likely going to use this method next year for my sweet potatoes...getting them close to the house for extra heat but not affecting our wood basement.
I wonder if you could integrate this theory into ‘in-ground’ beds somehow by digging drainpipe into the ground and then layering the soil overtop in a raised bed. Then earthworms and microbes could still come up as in a traditional raised bed but with the benefits of underground water source. Obviously you would have to water more often as it would drain down as well as wicking up, but then may increase the benefits to the plants. I’ve also seen people incorporate Vermicompost pits into their raised beds as well. Wonder if the worms would find the wicking bed suitable though… lots of ideas. Thank you for this video!
I experimented with a few of my raised beds last year by putting a pond liner on top of the gravel bed to stop the roots from sitting in water. I then put up 6 wicks through holes and spiraled them into a loop, sort of like a lasso in the soil, my beds are 3 x 8 ft and the wicks are made with cotton tee shirts bound together like a torch wick, they are also just above the liner so it's easy for the wicking action to take place I too worried about the constant water on plant roots like you mentioned. So far I've noticed the water doesn't need filling as much and the plants seem to be getting enough water. My droughts are only for a month to six weeks in my area so this may not work for everyone as my plants are only half mature for the most part during the drought period and require less water, but for me it seems to work. Got some of my seeds in starter trays under lights already....yahoo, can't wait for this snow to melt and get back at it. Cheers to all you gardeners out there.
Good ideas. What I wonder as I begin to design my own metal stock tank self-watering grow beds is how would I replace the t-shirt wicks in a year or so when the roots have grown into the shirts. I am 75, in good health, and strong, but I don't want to have to shovel all that potting soil out to replace wicks. Now I'm thinking maybe I put gravel or sand in the bottom like this guy does. The tanks sit ready for my soil, but I'm stuck on this detail. Good luck on your plan.
Have you ever tried to wick in the ground? Could I dig a trench, line it with plastic, add 4" rocks, then landscape fabric & soil? No overflow, I know but...
Hello, What do you do when the nutrients in the wicking culture bed are consumed ??? Does the soil change with a new one or is compost or biomass always added ??? How do you ensure plant nutrients for several consecutive growing seasons ??? Do we use organic fertilizers? At how many crop cycles does the soil change from a wicking crop bed ??? Everyone shows how to start a wicking culture bed ... Nobody says how to maintain it and how much it can be used until exhaustion and then changed ... Please, can you answer these questions ???
I just clicked the 'Subscribe' button, then realized i was already Subscribed, I wish I would get ALL of my subscribed videos, I have the bell icon vibrating, Its disappointing. You would probably get more views too! Great channel
We are in process of building ours now. What is the best size of gravel? Is your dirt going directly over the gravel or do you put a barrier between the rock and dirt?
you all prolly dont give a shit but does anyone know of a method to log back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid forgot my account password. I would love any tricks you can offer me
@Boone Sergio i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later with my results.
VergePermaculture: Hi, here is a link to a video where I first learned about SIP ( Sub Irrigated Planter, I think) raised beds: ruclips.net/video/Lp9Jdyno9hI/видео.html . On the surface they appear very similar, SIP uses perforated drainage pipe instead of gravel. My question was really about if there is a significant difference in performance between the 2 types of bed or if it is simply an arrival at an identical solution by 2 different routes.
I have pondered using wicking beds but I have concluded they are not a great idea. They use too much water. I spot water my plants whereas wicking beds soak the whole bed. They also tend to over water the roots leading to outbreaks of disease. My friend's wicking beds have seen all but corn die in the early stages of growth whereas my spot watered and mulched vegies are thriving.
Could it be that his soil was too heavy? I’m planning a bed, and a lot of the videos call for a lightweight, porous mix with coconut coir and vermiculite as the wicking layer, but also a lightweight mix above that.
Nice work Rob. I keep finding the gravel in the bottom of my old beds completely clogged with soil... regardless of the filter material (shade cloth or geotextile) have you tried and beds without the gravel and filter . e.g. soil all the way to the bottom? I think I'm going to try a few.
That part about allowing the soil to dry out occasionally rather than being moist all the time makes a lot of sense. That moisture can benefit fungi and other harmful bacteria. ...detrimental to the plant's roots. Love that.
@Sydney Spice have you ever watched videos on Johnson Su bioreactors? You might learn some very, very useful information about the massive benefits of fungi and bacteria on plant growth and agricultural production.
we're starting from scratch and in the planning stages. this video was very helpful. thank you!
I'm happy I found your video very informative I appreciate your thoughts.
I cut my iron residential oil tank down for a wicking bed plus a raft hydroponic tank; the latter doubles as a reservoir for heating the polytunnel, which is ditched around and mainly wicking naturally in the rain belt :)
Thanks Rob, I'm likely going to use this method next year for my sweet potatoes...getting them close to the house for extra heat but not affecting our wood basement.
Thanks Veta.
I wonder if you could integrate this theory into ‘in-ground’ beds somehow by digging drainpipe into the ground and then layering the soil overtop in a raised bed. Then earthworms and microbes could still come up as in a traditional raised bed but with the benefits of underground water source. Obviously you would have to water more often as it would drain down as well as wicking up, but then may increase the benefits to the plants. I’ve also seen people incorporate Vermicompost pits into their raised beds as well. Wonder if the worms would find the wicking bed suitable though… lots of ideas. Thank you for this video!
Wicking beds make so much sense! I modified the concept for Texas. I'll try to link my video.
Here is the link if RUclips allows it: ruclips.net/video/mChLwAm3720/видео.html
Really appreciated the blog article and video Rob!
I experimented with a few of my raised beds last year by putting a pond liner on top of the gravel bed to stop the roots from sitting in water. I then put up 6 wicks through holes and spiraled them into a loop, sort of like a lasso in the soil, my beds are 3 x 8 ft and the wicks are made with cotton tee shirts bound together like a torch wick, they are also just above the liner so it's easy for the wicking action to take place I too worried about the constant water on plant roots like you mentioned. So far I've noticed the water doesn't need filling as much and the plants seem to be getting enough water. My droughts are only for a month to six weeks in my area so this may not work for everyone as my plants are only half mature for the most part during the drought period and require less water, but for me it seems to work. Got some of my seeds in starter trays under lights already....yahoo, can't wait for this snow to melt and get back at it. Cheers to all you gardeners out there.
Good ideas. What I wonder as I begin to design my own metal stock tank self-watering grow beds is how would I replace the t-shirt wicks in a year or so when the roots have grown into the shirts. I am 75, in good health, and strong, but I don't want to have to shovel all that potting soil out to replace wicks. Now I'm thinking maybe I put gravel or sand in the bottom like this guy does. The tanks sit ready for my soil, but I'm stuck on this detail. Good luck on your plan.
how is the "top irrigation" done? Drip, or soakers, or....??? thanks! nice vide!
Have you ever tried to wick in the ground? Could I dig a trench, line it with plastic, add 4" rocks, then landscape fabric & soil? No overflow, I know but...
Just started my first 2 wicking beds. Interested in learning more. Love the color of your house!
Hello,
What do you do when the nutrients in the wicking culture bed are consumed ??? Does the soil change with a new one or is compost or biomass always added ??? How do you ensure plant nutrients for several consecutive growing seasons ??? Do we use organic fertilizers? At how many crop cycles does the soil change from a wicking crop bed ??? Everyone shows how to start a wicking culture bed ... Nobody says how to maintain it and how much it can be used until exhaustion and then changed ... Please, can you answer these questions ???
I just clicked the 'Subscribe' button, then realized i was already Subscribed, I wish I would get ALL of my subscribed videos, I have the bell icon vibrating, Its disappointing. You would probably get more views too! Great channel
We’ve found you don’t need a inflow pipe, you can just add water in the overflow pipe.
Awesome builds! Can you describe how you built the turnable / adjustable drain mentioned at 6:10?
Just don't glue it.
What’s the build list for that rotating elbow? Just bulkhead and pvc elbow?
We are in process of building ours now. What is the best size of gravel? Is your dirt going directly over the gravel or do you put a barrier between the rock and dirt?
You're a great professor
Thank you.
You have good luck with that solar hot water heater is up on the roof ?
how do you deal with the rain??? if worried about anaerobic soil
What thickness of poly liner did you use for the wood frame wicking beds? Looking at building some for my back yard for next spring. Thanks!
you all prolly dont give a shit but does anyone know of a method to log back into an Instagram account..?
I was stupid forgot my account password. I would love any tricks you can offer me
@Seth Reese instablaster :)
@Boone Sergio i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out atm.
Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Boone Sergio It worked and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thank you so much, you really help me out :D
@Seth Reese glad I could help xD
Looks totes awesome!
Hi, how would you compare the wicking beds against a SIP bed? The concept seems very similar but I was wondering about the results.
What is a sip bed?
VergePermaculture: Hi, here is a link to a video where I first learned about SIP ( Sub Irrigated Planter, I think) raised beds: ruclips.net/video/Lp9Jdyno9hI/видео.html .
On the surface they appear very similar, SIP uses perforated drainage pipe instead of gravel.
My question was really about if there is a significant difference in performance between the 2 types of bed or if it is simply an arrival at an identical solution by 2 different routes.
I have pondered using wicking beds but I have concluded they are not a great idea. They use too much water. I spot water my plants whereas wicking beds soak the whole bed. They also tend to over water the roots leading to outbreaks of disease. My friend's wicking beds have seen all but corn die in the early stages of growth whereas my spot watered and mulched vegies are thriving.
Great points. I also have a love hate relationship with them.
beldengi , you may like my modified version. I made a video
Could it be that his soil was too heavy? I’m planning a bed, and a lot of the videos call for a lightweight, porous mix with coconut coir and vermiculite as the wicking layer, but also a lightweight mix above that.
Nice
What state you in ?
George Ashing Texas!?
Regarding the Drying-Rewetting, see here: ruclips.net/video/N31UFLD9RLA/видео.html
Thanks, that is awesome!
Nice work Rob. I keep finding the gravel in the bottom of my old beds completely clogged with soil... regardless of the filter material (shade cloth or geotextile) have you tried and beds without the gravel and filter . e.g. soil all the way to the bottom? I think I'm going to try a few.
Nick, I have not had that issue. perhaps it is the carbon content of our soils. I have tried medium less beds but they over wick.
really helpful link - thank you
Check out his big hose @2:27 lol
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Discover how to do it with Avasva.
There are much better videos than this on the subject, I fell a sleep listening to this guy yawn
Please do away with your intro. Boring.