Morning Kevin, I'm doing a similar project on a smaller scale, I'm very curious about your drains as I have freeze concerns as well. Any more information about how you set that up? Or if you thought it was necessary? I read the update on your site, dry by fall? :) Thx
Yes, I would include a drain. I used a bulkhead fitting to create the seal with the rubber liner and then glued it in a PVC pipe extension and shutoff valve. Due to the thickness of the boards I used for the bed frame, it was challenging! I had to cut an opening with a hole saw for the bulkhead unit to fit and be able to thread tight. I'll post a picture of the drain assembly on the Gardenhike website with a new update. It won't show the bulkhead fitting but will give you an idea of what the drain looks like.
10/10 on your experiment. Some constructive criticism, I think most of what you have is accurate except I think you should add some aerators to turn the sump into carbonic-acid(rain water). I was thinking of having one far away from my home but use a somewhat deep sump so that I could circulate the water using an air-lift pump underground-air-line instead of an electric powered water pump. Also the deeper the better b/c high organics will have a high-high-ph therefore require well-drained-soil to get the low-PH nutrients.
I'd expect the water to have an increase in pH when oxygenating the water, especially during cold weather because water exhales CO2 at lower temperatures and increases oxygen levels. High CO2 in water is associated with lower pH so I'm a little perplexed with the notion that an airlift pump will lower pH.
On the top level, since they are exposed to soil, eventually yes. But I’m hoping to get at least 20 years out of them. Since the bottom level is protected with a rubber liner, they should last a lot longer.
I added an update in a blog post on my website, www.gardenhike.com The update is towards the end of the post. Here’s the link: www.gardenhike.com/large-self-watering-raised-garden-beds-concept-materials-assembly/
A mind map! A man after my own heart.
this is fantastic ! great to see your work
Complicate and EXPENSIVE ,although the Idea merits further explorations .
Morning Kevin, I'm doing a similar project on a smaller scale, I'm very curious about your drains as I have freeze concerns as well. Any more information about how you set that up? Or if you thought it was necessary? I read the update on your site, dry by fall? :) Thx
Yes, I would include a drain. I used a bulkhead fitting to create the seal with the rubber liner and then glued it in a PVC pipe extension and shutoff valve. Due to the thickness of the boards I used for the bed frame, it was challenging! I had to cut an opening with a hole saw for the bulkhead unit to fit and be able to thread tight. I'll post a picture of the drain assembly on the Gardenhike website with a new update. It won't show the bulkhead fitting but will give you an idea of what the drain looks like.
10/10 on your experiment. Some constructive criticism, I think most of what you have is accurate except I think you should add some aerators to turn the sump into carbonic-acid(rain water). I was thinking of having one far away from my home but use a somewhat deep sump so that I could circulate the water using an air-lift pump underground-air-line instead of an electric powered water pump. Also the deeper the better b/c high organics will have a high-high-ph therefore require well-drained-soil to get the low-PH nutrients.
Interesting…..I’ll put some thoughts into how I can do this. Thank you
I'd expect the water to have an increase in pH when oxygenating the water, especially during cold weather because water exhales CO2 at lower temperatures and increases oxygen levels.
High CO2 in water is associated with lower pH so I'm a little perplexed with the notion that an airlift pump will lower pH.
Very cool idea. How old are those spruce trees that are taking all the water?
About 25 years old
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@Garden Hike where are you located? Zone?
Northern Great Plains, U.S., Zone 4
Won't the boards rot out?
On the top level, since they are exposed to soil, eventually yes. But I’m hoping to get at least 20 years out of them. Since the bottom level is protected with a rubber liner, they should last a lot longer.
Update?
I added an update in a blog post on my website, www.gardenhike.com
The update is towards the end of the post. Here’s the link:
www.gardenhike.com/large-self-watering-raised-garden-beds-concept-materials-assembly/
I’d love to watch your video, but your audio is too low.