We built four 4x8x2 self wicking beds last year. Instead of lining the beds with Plastic we bought four 330 gallon IBC totes and cut them in half to make two 4x4 “tubs”. We then put a “U” shaped section of slotted 4” drain pipe in the bottom to distribute the water. We inserted a piece of 1-1/2” PVC pipe in the center of the “U” to fill the reservoir. We filled the bottom with course River sand instead of gravel. We did not put weed fabric between the sand and the soil. I spent many years working for a company that manufactured large filters for large commercial swimming pools. In the early days most of these were “sand & gravel” filters. They had a layer of course ricks in the bottom, medium rocks above that. Then small rocks followed by a layer of course sand then fine sand. After the initial start ups, we never had a problem with the sand being pushed down through the gravel. Each layer would only penetrate at most an 1” or so into the layer below in spite of the fact that the tanks were under pressure. Therefore I knew there was no need for the weed cloth to keep the soil out of the reservoir. You might still want to do it to keep the roots from working their way into the reservoir. I figured any roots that got that far would either be happy because of access to unlimited water or they would get water logged and die. The beds worked great last year. We didn’t do anything to them this year but top dress with Black Cow and plant. So far so good.
Sometimes I use good used tires .. 18 wheelers and large tractor tires. Some might point and say "He's growing in tires!" .. yet look at all those who are growing in plastic pots! The Tires I get for free and I've put 6 mm black plastic in the bottom .. but first I raid a dumpster for good used carpet padding .. that protects the plastic from one side .. then I sift all the dirt so there are very few rocks .. only sand and dirt. I put in the bottom a good roll of 4 in perforated black plastic pipe. I use a small square of landscape material to close off the end of the pipe so debris doesn't get inside. Excess water will find it's way out of the plastic section once the water has reached the level of the plastic inside. You can also do this with a 2 ft x 1 ft x 20 ft. trench dug into the ground. It makes no sense to me to water a garden with a sprinkler system .. while watering the weeds too .. and losing all that water. It's much more efficient to build a wicking system. You can also create little ponds .. part with water .. part with dirt .. and the earth can be shaped to be pleasing to the landscape. I live in Arkansas too .. I grow banana trees and taro among other things .. that gives our place a very tropical look during the summer months.
Tammy addressed that at the end of the video. Essentially, there is space to allow the water remaining to freeze (and expand) without causing problems, but not having personal experience with that climate, she couldn't speak personally to it. Perhaps someone who has used one in a harsher climate can share their experience.
We built four 4x8x2 self wicking beds last year. Instead of lining the beds with Plastic we bought four 330 gallon IBC totes and cut them in half to make two 4x4 “tubs”. We then put a “U” shaped section of slotted 4” drain pipe in the bottom to distribute the water. We inserted a piece of 1-1/2” PVC pipe in the center of the “U” to fill the reservoir. We filled the bottom with course River sand instead of gravel. We did not put weed fabric between the sand and the soil. I spent many years working for a company that manufactured large filters for large commercial swimming pools. In the early days most of these were “sand & gravel” filters. They had a layer of course ricks in the bottom, medium rocks above that. Then small rocks followed by a layer of course sand then fine sand. After the initial start ups, we never had a problem with the sand being pushed down through the gravel. Each layer would only penetrate at most an 1” or so into the layer below in spite of the fact that the tanks were under pressure. Therefore I knew there was no need for the weed cloth to keep the soil out of the reservoir. You might still want to do it to keep the roots from working their way into the reservoir. I figured any roots that got that far would either be happy because of access to unlimited water or they would get water logged and die. The beds worked great last year. We didn’t do anything to them this year but top dress with Black Cow and plant. So far so good.
Sometimes I use good used tires .. 18 wheelers and large tractor tires. Some might point and say "He's growing in tires!" .. yet look at all those who are growing in plastic pots! The Tires I get for free and I've put 6 mm black plastic in the bottom .. but first I raid a dumpster for good used carpet padding .. that protects the plastic from one side .. then I sift all the dirt so there are very few rocks .. only sand and dirt. I put in the bottom a good roll of 4 in perforated black plastic pipe. I use a small square of landscape material to close off the end of the pipe so debris doesn't get inside. Excess water will find it's way out of the plastic section once the water has reached the level of the plastic inside. You can also do this with a 2 ft x 1 ft x 20 ft. trench dug into the ground. It makes no sense to me to water a garden with a sprinkler system .. while watering the weeds too .. and losing all that water. It's much more efficient to build a wicking system. You can also create little ponds .. part with water .. part with dirt .. and the earth can be shaped to be pleasing to the landscape. I live in Arkansas too .. I grow banana trees and taro among other things .. that gives our place a very tropical look during the summer months.
I live in Michigan. What would you do with the beds for winter time?
Tammy addressed that at the end of the video. Essentially, there is space to allow the water remaining to freeze (and expand) without causing problems, but not having personal experience with that climate, she couldn't speak personally to it. Perhaps someone who has used one in a harsher climate can share their experience.
I tried to do this diy.... let's just say my hose is still used. But it's a simple system and they work.
Great video!
Her garden is so beautiful and green. She is a sweetheart!
thank you for the follow up. I made one of these!