All Hail to Leon! Isn’t he great? For those of you who don’t know, his channel is Gardening with Leon. Such a sweet man who cares about the environment! Thanks for your version!
Excellent concept... I would suggest cutting a "X" in the middle of the socked tubing and insert the watering 💦 tube through the "X" and the sock will automatically seal up the hole... you could also put a wine-cork on a stick to act as a "Float-bobber" to let you know how much water 💦 is within your pipes.
Put bug netting or something small like that on the overflow and fill tube. Mosquitoes will get in and breed in there otherwise, I made the mistake when i first set my wicking bed up. I also used the socked pipe.
Great video. In a bind You can use hanes geo components 50-ft x 36-in black dot silt ... Heavy-duty silt fence fabric that meets DOT specifications in over 35 states. 36 in wide x 50 ft long fabric. At Lowe’s 4.5/5 Price: $14.68 Brand: Hanes Geo Components
I do this same method. I had 500 poly sand bags and that's what I enclose them in. They have been in there five years and they are still working so I guess all is good down there.
Nice point about the air gap. I didn't catch that in any of the other videos. I planted a fig tree in a tub last year and it is doing good. I later read that figs are more of a dry plant so maybe not need the tub? Strawberries love these self watering pots.
I made several by using Leon's milk jugs and recycled bottles method inside of 18-gallon totes I had. I didn't use any fabric at all, except for around the watering pvc that goes into one of the milk jugs. Then I added The Tomato Guy's caging and training method. I easily had 50 pounds per plant. I can't speak to longevity. I'll know when I refresh my soil.
My sister makes a system snaking cotton in tubes. She has a reservoir for water and she inserts the tubes in the pots on one end and it drew the water needed from the reservior. She is a landscape designer and has used this in her rooftop gardens. I like this idea. I only wish it could be made with recycled pots .
i did similar thing. only difference, i drilll 3 3/16 in. holes at 3 inches. don,t lose soil. easy and its worked well for 3 yrs. now. also the sock material can be found separately{ at home depot} if you already have the 4inch french drain materiall w/o the fabric.
This is brilliant. I haven't had to buy pipe yet due to all the empty containers I've saved that still need to be used up. The only difference is the drain hole. I've been using up scraps of pet guard screen wire duck taped to the inside of the container instead. So far, so good. Please keep the videos coming
Making these today... our new neighbors gave us all the sewer pipe we could want, as well as posts and pvc pipe, and all I had to buy was the sleeves ... thanks 😊 Blessings 🌞
@TexasPrepper2 it was such a blessing to glean the wisdom from you about the Blackberries... that's where we are using these wicking tubs... I've 2 hillbilly blue tubs, and these will be our raspberries as well. Enjoyed the class and meeting your sweet wife. I just want to really thank you for sharing what you've learned and your degree from HKU. I'm working on my 2d PHD from there as well.🤪😂😂 The past 5 years have been pretty rough and being a bit overwhelmed by all we need to do to prepare and wee started from scratch... your encouragement and teachings have given us the courage, and stick-to-it-ness to continue step by step... now we are so much further ahead that we would have been if we just stayed frozen in overwhelm... Just saying, you may never know how you've touched our lives. Blessings 🌞
Protein tubs are a very valuable commodity in northern middle Tennessee, even rural - folks will fight over them. I did finally find some at a junkyard metal recycling place....
thanks mate, I'm doing this type of thing in my tiny paved townhouse backyard. My young vegie plants a doing really well. I noticed you have loads of land but you still choose this method. Good to see and good on ya.
Hi Alan, I was just viewing this video again because of the expense of buying the roll of Fabric barrier to build more tubs. I was watching your video and the pipe I purchased didn't come with the sleeve, but it's a fabulous idea. Upon doing some research, I found that you can buy the "Drain Sleeve" for a 4" pipe for $22 for a 100' section at Lowes or Home Depot. I think this design will work better for me...cost wise...
Fill the bottom with food grade and more stable plastic bottles without lids and holes punch in them. Knot them into or Cover with several layers of old tee shirts, tulle, screening, etc. pretty much free
I keep coming back and watching this video… I need to make at least 5 more wicking tubs for sum citrus trees , another black berry plant … maybe my high tunnel will be finished soon … I want to be ready to put the citrus trees in there
Good to hear from you guy. I really like these better. Easier to make, and for anyone that can not get any of the "commercial" ground cover these should last longer. I'm going to do a video on the differences between the Leon tubs and my "hybrids" in a few weeks. Also, using this pipe would be much easier if making an Earth Box "clone" from a storage tote or something. (BTW... I have 10 EarthBoxes and I love them so far) The tomatoes, peppers and BLACKBERRIES in my EarthBoxes look fantastic so far: ruclips.net/video/dJBusjiMFdk/видео.html
I do mine, the way you have that drip pipe, I use PVC and a Uniseal to go through. Then when it comes out, an elbow and a short section of PVC into that, cut to the level I want my reservoir to come up to. Then I use that for my fill tube. And, if for some reason I need to drain all the water out, I can just rotate the riser pipe at the elbow so it angles down, and the water drains down to where the pipe goes in. IDK if that makes sense without pics, lol.
Sure it makes sense. I started to put some L's on mine too. Did the Uniseal work without leaks? What size did you use? In the summer I have to water every day. Having the L's would increase my reservoir quite a bit.
I received the 5 Earth Boxes to plant my Triple Crown blackberries in. They have been growing in 3 gallon pots since I potted them up from the 1-gallon pots they were shipped in when I received them last summer. My plan was to have one plant growing in each Earth Box. In your video you plant 2 in each one. Given the size of mine now (in 3-gallon pots), should I plant one or 2 in each Earth Box? Thank you.
Wicking Tubs: Here's how to get them: ruclips.net/video/SlAOl995SaQ/видео.html Here's how to make them: ruclips.net/video/9guNoWP8_ls/видео.html Here's my "Hybrid" tub: ruclips.net/video/radHBan7-BI/видео.html
Hey there! New subscriber here! Great idea! I'm going to be planting some raspberries and thornless Blackberries soon. You berry patch looks nice and neat! Love it!
You know we have alkaline soil here, and cannot grow blueberries here because of the soil PH, but I bet these would work great for blueberries with acidic soil in them
I bet they would too. I’ve never grown blueberries. Personally, I don’t like the taste of them. (I got sick on them when I was a kid and never got over it) 😊
I’m finally getting around to planting my blackberry plants in my Earth Boxes. Couple questions: 1. What percentage peat? I thought I heard 50%, maybe that was minimum? In one of your videos I think you say 60-70%. 2. The directions that came with the Earth Box say to use Dolomite and they specifically say NOT lime. But your other video shows you adding lime. So I assume lime is the way to go? 3. The product directions also say to add Perlite. Is that necessary? Thanks in advance for answers.
I would say at least 50% PEAT. The PEAT helps to wick the water upwards. Use regular “garden lime“. Some people call it dolomite, but it’s really just a good garden lime. There is a certain lime that you’re not supposed to use and I forget what it is. I think it’s hydrated lime or something like that. Just use a lime that is for gardens and it’ll be OK. No, I never put pearlite in mine. Most potting mixes will have perlite mixed in with it. It’s the little white specks that look like Styrofoam. That’s perlite.
I’m 5’2 walking through the Sutherlands with the pipe over one shoulder pushing my buggy. Lol you are not kidding about it being funny. I knocked a couple folks pretty good.
I think that would work. Just make sure the ends are completely closed. I think you'd still have to make the snorkel hose and the overflow tube like I did it here. Let me know how it works!
Sure, but you lose some of the area that the roots would grow in. That would work for some things (maybe shallow rooted) but other things would need the extra room for root growth (like fruit trees and blackberries). For that reason, Leon uses one layer of 6" in a regular pot, and 4" in pots that will have fruit trees. Hope that helps, alan
They are around 20 gallons. I think they are about 20" in diameter and 20" tall Here's the best info I have on the tubs: Here's how to get them: ruclips.net/video/SlAOl995SaQ/видео.html Here's how to make them: ruclips.net/video/9guNoWP8_ls/видео.html Here's my "Hybrid" tub: ruclips.net/video/radHBan7-BI/видео.html
So if you aren't using a drip irrigation you just fill the reservoir until the water comes out overflow and then do that daily? And if you use drip irrigation it takes care of filling itself? Thanks for all you do! -Kurt
You can place them right next to each other if you want to. I spaced them out about 10 or 12 inches apart just for better circulation. I think it might help with fungus control… But not sure. If you are in a tight area and don’t have much room then go ahead and leave them right next to each other. It would be OK.
I've been watching every video I can to prepare for North Dakota backyard gardening. I'm doing my best to understand, but I just don't have all my crayons in one box. Has anyone done a glass bottom see through root growth to show just what's going on inside after their built and soiled. The struggle is Real 🤣
Saw a guy cut a 1 inch wide vertical strip 5 inch long on the side starting near the bottom going up the side and siliconed clear Plex to cover it on the inside to view water level
Thanks for sharing your idea in this excellent video. Just a question, pls. I don't understand how water gets topped up in the pipes without a vertical watering tube. Does the sole upright watering tube in one of the reservoir pipes somehow top up the water in the other pipes through absorption? Probably a dumb question, but I can't figure this out! Cheers.
Each tub has its own watering tube. And yes, the water from the bottom tube (with the upright tube) just fills the bottom reservoir with water... and fills up the other 2 tubes that are laying on the bottom. All the tubes laying horizontal in the bottom of the tub are perforated, plus have the (sock) ends open... so they fill up quickly.
With a 4" pipe you'll have to water more frequently than with a 6" pipe. I wonder if you couldn't stick some crushed rock in the bottom of that bucket, under the pipe with the tube sock on it, to increase the size of the reservoir? I did splurge and buy a huge roll of 6" pipe; yep, it was pricey, but it works so well.
True. In the summer I watered most every day... bit then, I'm in TX. The crushed rock thing might work. But it will make the tub pretty heavy if you need to move it around.
@@BIGALTX Maybe some water jugs instead? Or pop cans? Instead of the crushed rock. It'll be light. I don't know. Something modified from the other tubs that Leon shows us how to make. Coffee cans? Sorry, I can't offer more ideas; just woke up anyway. LOL
I like the way you take the initiative to try new things. I found a large tote at Walmart that cost me eight dollars. I had an old laundry basket that was cracked in a few places along the handles so I flipped it upside down and side that toe and found a really large thick pillowcase that my sister had around. I think it’s denim. It’s about like a Levi jacket only a little bit thicker. I had my sister so that mate reel into that laundry basket and then I sat it down inside the tote. if you know how a laundry basket is shaped, it comes up, kinda like in a dome in the middle and levels out. There are several holes and the laundry basket for aeration. I put my potty mix in and I am extremely surprised on how much production I’m getting out of it. not only that, but I can put 10 gallons of water in this thing and I only have to feed and water once every nine days. I took some other steps like painting the tote white, so it doesn’t draw the heat from the sun too. I also built a PCV pipe cage around it, and I drape a curtain around it to keep the sun off the toe. makes things much cooler. There’s not so much of operation. I’m thinking about purchasing another tote and lining the original and pouring water in between the two totes to keep it just a little bit cooler. When I do that I’m gonna put some wheels on it so I can move it around better.
@@BIGALTX no it’s going to be a wicking tub. Instead of using the pipes and landscaping tarp, I am using the laundry basket to raise the potting soil and instead of using the landscaping tarp I am using that old pillowcase. I’ll be able to put 10 gallons in it. I just checked it out. there’s still a gap of about 2 inches at the top. I’m hoping that will be enough air to air prune.
where do you get your boxes. The price range seems all over the place but if there is a good box (dimensions ?) at a decent price this open container gardening for more people. Thx
Wicking Tubs: Here's how to get them: ruclips.net/video/SlAOl995SaQ/видео.html Here's how to make them: ruclips.net/video/9guNoWP8_ls/видео.html Here's my "Hybrid" tub: ruclips.net/video/radHBan7-BI/видео.html Hope that helps...
Rookie question ... If the netting prevents any dirt from getting into the pipes, how are the roots -- that are in the dirt -- going to get any water? I don't get it.
It "wicks" the water up. That's why it's called a "Wicking Tub". A small % if the soil touches the water and it pulls water up to the roots of the crop Earthboxes work the same way
It looks like the over flow hole is above the pipe. Water can swamp the pipe. Leon puts his overflow hole 1 inch below the top of what ever it is you are using
Hey, I've got an epiphany for you. Instead of those costly tubes and netting in the bottom of the tub, I use three cut off chunks of inch and a half PVC pipe, cut with a pipe cutter to make it nice and smooth, on end, which holds up a circle of plastic (made from a Snap-On 5 gallon bucket lid) which holds a 2-in net pot inserted through a hole drilled at the center, using a hole saw. I fasten the three chunks of PVC pipe to the bottom of the reservoir container using a few dabs of hot glue. Water is allowed to pass underneath these pipes between dabs of glue, but the glue holds it in place so I don't have to worry about things tipping over as I'm setting things up. The net pot is lined with a double layer of nylon window screen. The screen offers a good separation layer, holds the growing medium and only allows the tiniest of particles through. It reaches through the bottom of the growing bin and winds up almost touching the bottom of the reservoir. I also put a few dabs of hot glue from the net pot to the plastic growing bin bucket bottom. I pack the soil very tightly in the net pot before I add the rest of the growing medium. It sits in the water, full of compacted growing medium held in by that window screen and makes a dandy wick. I pass a 1 inch PVC thin- wall pipe through the growing medium and through the plastic lid all the way to the bottom of the reservoir container, the end of which is cut on a bias, to allow water to flow freely as I pour it down the tube. I am 74 years old and don't like bending over a whole bunch, so I make the tubes about 3 ft tall and I make the overflow hole in the bottom bucket right next to where I put the filler tube, so I don't have to bend over to see it flowing out, telling me it's full. I'm all about simplicity, but I don't think I can make this any simpler. Oh, and did I mention cheap? For the price of a 5 gallon bucket with a lid and a 2-in net pot, three 2-in chunks of inch and a half PVC scrap, 3 ft of thin wall PVC pipe and a dozen or so dabs of hot glue, I'm an instant gardener. EDIT: I realized, too late, that I had explained what I do using 5 gallon buckets, but you use used protein tubs. That's still no problem, because you can buy a sheet plastic which is made like corrugated cardboard to use as the bottom of your growing chamber, the part with the topsoil and the plant. In this country it's called chloroplast. In Australia it's called Chloroflute. Go figure. Anyway, you could figure out how deep you want your water reservoir to be and just measure up a little bit above the drilled drainage hole and circumscribe a circle on the plastic sheet, so that it fits snugly down in the protein tub and hot glue it around the edge. Easy peasy
Well, I haven't seen anyone do exactly what you did, but it sounds pretty cool. I have seen some folks use net cups, but not exactly like yours... nice Thanks for sharing
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing. I have these same tubs and am going to try this. I'm in Oklahoma and have tried several methods of gardening on this property. Bugs are horrible out here. I will certainly be doing this. Liked 👍 & Subscribed. Look forward to learning more. Merry Christmas 🎄 ~Sammie 😁
This is genius. Thanks. Btw, I'm curious what part of TX you're from. I'm always interested in accents and TX is such a big state; there are different accents. I'm guessing you're east TX, maybe toward OK. Am I close?
@@BIGALTX I was making up some wicking totes from ibc totes that I cut in half. It came on a cardboard holder and it rolled off like toilet paper. I believe it was 100 ft long.
I really like this idea now do you lift the pots to decide when to water again, or do yo just go off the physical appearance of the plant . Also do you hit the top of the soil with water every time as well. THANKS IF YOU CAN HELP! Great info here.
The pot are VERY heavy when planted an watered. I just try to water every other day to make sure they're watered enough But now, I've got an automatic irrigation system: ruclips.net/video/0vHU8_fbZ0k/видео.html
With this hybrid, do you just pour the potting soil in on top of the wicking system? Or do you have other components to reach the brim of wicking system? Last Q. I imagine you first water the plant directly over the dirt, but afterwards to you water the plant directly through the tube poking up vertically out of the soil?
In the "Hybrid" tub I just pour the potting mix on top once I get my pipes in place. (make sure it's potting "MIX" not potting "soil" During the season, you normally water down the pipe, but it's Ok if you water on top too... I do it sometimes (if i'm hand watering)
Hey TP, That looks like a small fortune in potting soil. Are you using name brand soil? Here in GA, Lowes sells a huge bag of soil conditioner for around 3 bucks, that is nothing but ground up pine bark. Would that work in the Leon Buckets?
I think the potting mix you use should have a lot of peat in it to draw up the moisture. Not sure if ground up bark would work. This is $13 for a 3 CF bag.
I use BM7 but any good potting mix will work. "Dirt" will NOT wick the water so you have to use a mix with a lot of Peat in it. Watch this: ruclips.net/video/9guNoWP8_ls/видео.html
I got them from a business that was throwing them away 15 or so years ago They are industrial, very heavy duty totes...about 15 LBS empty Can't get any more :( I saw some on Amazon a few years ago and they were 80 bucks each !!
White closely. A small portion of the soil goes all the way down to the bottom of the tub. The water wicks up through that soil, to the rest of the tub.
@@BIGALTX OK Thanks, that makes sense. I don't know what white closely means, but I can understand that some of the dirt goes lower than the rest of it.
Hi I was looking at your self wicking tub video with the socks on the pipe,why couldn't you cut the tube length and slide them down in feed sack or corn sack.They are made out of polypropylene and as long as they stay out of the sun they won't rot.
Wicking Tubs: Here's how to get them: ruclips.net/video/SlAOl995SaQ/видео.html Here's how to make them: ruclips.net/video/9guNoWP8_ls/видео.html Here's my "Hybrid" tub: ruclips.net/video/radHBan7-BI/видео.html Hope that helps, alan
It's been a year and was wondering if you had good success using the self wicking method? Good production?? I think I'm going to try this year but use 5 gallon buckets as that is what I have on hand
I haven't used any 5 gallon buckets, but I had great success with Earthboxes, Wicking Tubs, and Grow Bags The Grow Bags were 7 and 10 gallon. Here's my comparison: ruclips.net/video/EklgdNg6WDU/видео.html
Figs can be kept for a long time. Lots of folks KEEP them in containers for years. Other trees probably need to be planted in the ground. Just depends on the variety. I've decided to plant most of mine in the ground. I'll do a video on it next week explaining my decision. 😀
Was looking at the pipe that already comes with a sock covering over it and then just covering the ends. Since I have so many to make this year buying a 100’ length seems cost effective then covering ends and using zip ties to secure. Thoughts on this plan or things to think about?
Sorry if I missed this but are the 4" pipes used perforated with small holes all over for the water to leach into or are they solid and the water flows into them from the two open ends?
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All Hail to Leon! Isn’t he great? For those of you who don’t know, his channel is Gardening with Leon. Such a sweet man who cares about the environment! Thanks for your version!
Thanks for that
Excellent concept... I would suggest cutting a "X" in the middle of the socked tubing and insert the watering 💦 tube through the "X" and the sock will automatically seal up the hole... you could also put a wine-cork on a stick to act as a "Float-bobber" to let you know how much water 💦 is within your pipes.
Great tips, thanks!!
Put bug netting or something small like that on the overflow and fill tube. Mosquitoes will get in and breed in there otherwise, I made the mistake when i first set my wicking bed up. I also used the socked pipe.
Great idea!!!
thanks
Just use the sock over over flow and fill or hey pantyhose 🤷♂️
Don't want that!!! Scratchy bumps. NO WAY!
@@codyrussow170 sock! Got lots of odd one laying around. Haha. Great idea!
@@blissfulacresoffgridhomest2098 hahahahaha was referring to the sock around pipe he is using 😂😂
Leon is fantastic. This is what we are doing this year. We are also applying his system to raised beds
Leon Rocks! :)
Great video. In a bind You can use hanes geo components 50-ft x 36-in black dot silt ... Heavy-duty silt fence fabric that meets DOT specifications in over 35 states. 36 in wide x 50 ft long fabric. At Lowe’s
4.5/5
Price: $14.68
Brand: Hanes Geo Components
Good to know... thanks!
I do this same method. I had 500 poly sand bags and that's what I enclose them in. They have been in there five years and they are still working so I guess all is good down there.
Wow. Five years… nice!
Nice point about the air gap. I didn't catch that in any of the other videos. I planted a fig tree in a tub last year and it is doing good. I later read that figs are more of a dry plant so maybe not need the tub? Strawberries love these self watering pots.
I had figs in these wicking tubs for a year or 2, then planted them in the ground.
They did great while they were in the tubs
I made several by using Leon's milk jugs and recycled bottles method inside of 18-gallon totes I had. I didn't use any fabric at all, except for around the watering pvc that goes into one of the milk jugs. Then I added The Tomato Guy's caging and training method. I easily had 50 pounds per plant. I can't speak to longevity. I'll know when I refresh my soil.
That is awesome!
50 LBS is fantastic...!!
My sister makes a system snaking cotton in tubes. She has a reservoir for water and she inserts the tubes in the pots on one end and it drew the water needed from the reservior. She is a landscape designer and has used this in her rooftop gardens. I like this idea. I only wish it could be made with recycled pots .
Wow, that sounds interesting. Lots of different techniques out there to accomplish what we need to do 😊
i did similar thing. only difference, i drilll 3 3/16 in. holes at 3 inches. don,t lose soil. easy and its worked well for 3 yrs. now. also the sock material can be found separately{ at home depot} if you already have the 4inch french drain materiall w/o the fabric.
Thanks.
I didn’t know you could buy the sock material separate. Thanks for sharing!
This is brilliant. I haven't had to buy pipe yet due to all the empty containers I've saved that still need to be used up. The only difference is the drain hole. I've been using up scraps of pet guard screen wire duck taped to the inside of the container instead. So far, so good. Please keep the videos coming
Will do... keep watching!! :)
Making these today... our new neighbors gave us all the sewer pipe we could want, as well as posts and pvc pipe, and all I had to buy was the sleeves ... thanks 😊 Blessings 🌞
That is awesome!
Great to meet you last Saturday! 😎
@TexasPrepper2 it was such a blessing to glean the wisdom from you about the Blackberries... that's where we are using these wicking tubs... I've 2 hillbilly blue tubs, and these will be our raspberries as well.
Enjoyed the class and meeting your sweet wife. I just want to really thank you for sharing what you've learned and your degree from HKU. I'm working on my 2d PHD from there as well.🤪😂😂
The past 5 years have been pretty rough and being a bit overwhelmed by all we need to do to prepare and wee started from scratch... your encouragement and teachings have given us the courage, and stick-to-it-ness to continue step by step... now we are so much further ahead that we would have been if we just stayed frozen in overwhelm...
Just saying, you may never know how you've touched our lives.
Blessings 🌞
Thanks so much for the kind words.
It's nice to know this channel is helping folks :)
Protein tubs are a very valuable commodity in northern middle Tennessee, even rural - folks will fight over them.
I did finally find some at a junkyard metal recycling place....
Wicking tubs are getting very popular! :)
Gardening with Leon is such a great channel. That old guy wants everyone to have success, and plant their own veggies.
Very true.
I'm a big fan!
Can't wait to see the difference between all of them
Me too :)
thanks mate, I'm doing this type of thing in my tiny paved townhouse backyard. My young vegie plants a doing really well. I noticed you have loads of land but you still choose this method. Good to see and good on ya.
Thanks, Anthony.
Hope yours do as well as mine have.
I like this method best of all the systems I've see on RUclips. All though I like the rain gutter system also. 😁🙇♂️
I have ALL my blackberries in these tubs now (about 20 tubs):
ruclips.net/p/PLutBw50GI1zw9M4UxWAN3n9yeJ_WYS8TD
Hi Alan, I was just viewing this video again because of the expense of buying the roll of Fabric barrier to build more tubs. I was watching your video and the pipe I purchased didn't come with the sleeve, but it's a fabulous idea. Upon doing some research, I found that you can buy the "Drain Sleeve" for a 4" pipe for $22 for a 100' section at Lowes or Home Depot. I think this design will work better for me...cost wise...
Sounds great!
"I can't remember what I paid for it..." 🤣🤣🤣🤣 You remember what you spent for scotch tape in 1999.
Uhhhhh
Probably true. You must’ve been talking to my wife 😊
I wrap mine in landscape fabric. Affordable
Great, thanks for sharing. 👍🏼
You have some of the best videos of all time
Wow... that made me smile... big!
Thanks!👍😎
Fill the bottom with food grade and more stable plastic bottles without lids and holes punch in them. Knot them into or Cover with several layers of old tee shirts, tulle, screening, etc. pretty much free
But... I LOVE my old T-Shirts 😎
hahaha
(good idea)
I keep coming back and watching this video… I need to make at least 5 more wicking tubs for sum citrus trees , another black berry plant … maybe my high tunnel will be finished soon … I want to be ready to put the citrus trees in there
Nice.
Glad I could help!
You have helped me alot
I have 2 of them made and planted my 2 of my berry vines that i bought like yours ... need to make 4 more for my berries and 2 for my apricot trees
👍
Thanks. Great idea. I am trying to grow some veggies this year . I'm using cut in half 275 gallon water totes. Got some from before i put my well in.
Yes great idea....I just started the wicking tubs in October last year they work great.... I'm going to have to try your way with the sock....
They just seem to be a little easier to make... I like them :)
Would you please subscribe to our Channel 👍
I found rolls of pipe filtering socks 4x100’ for $40. Cheaper I think to buy rolls of the sock just use as much as you need.
Thanks for the tip!
That’s a good idea! I bet it will work great.
Good to hear from you guy.
I really like these better.
Easier to make, and for anyone that can not get any of the "commercial" ground cover these should last longer.
I'm going to do a video on the differences between the Leon tubs and my "hybrids" in a few weeks.
Also, using this pipe would be much easier if making an Earth Box "clone" from a storage tote or something.
(BTW... I have 10 EarthBoxes and I love them so far)
The tomatoes, peppers and BLACKBERRIES in my EarthBoxes look fantastic so far:
ruclips.net/video/dJBusjiMFdk/видео.html
Paint your wicking tubs and they will not fade in the Sun make sure you sand them so the paint will stick it worked for me
Good to know... thanks!
I do mine, the way you have that drip pipe, I use PVC and a Uniseal to go through. Then when it comes out, an elbow and a short section of PVC into that, cut to the level I want my reservoir to come up to. Then I use that for my fill tube. And, if for some reason I need to drain all the water out, I can just rotate the riser pipe at the elbow so it angles down, and the water drains down to where the pipe goes in. IDK if that makes sense without pics, lol.
Sure it makes sense.
I started to put some L's on mine too. Did the Uniseal work without leaks? What size did you use?
In the summer I have to water every day. Having the L's would increase my reservoir quite a bit.
I received the 5 Earth Boxes to plant my Triple Crown blackberries in. They have been growing in 3 gallon pots since I potted them up from the 1-gallon pots they were shipped in when I received them last summer. My plan was to have one plant growing in each Earth Box. In your video you plant 2 in each one. Given the size of mine now (in 3-gallon pots), should I plant one or 2 in each Earth Box?
Thank you.
Where did you get the blue buckets? Thought I seen on another video, but I can't find the info. Thanks. You made me want to grow some blackberries.
Wicking Tubs:
Here's how to get them: ruclips.net/video/SlAOl995SaQ/видео.html
Here's how to make them: ruclips.net/video/9guNoWP8_ls/видео.html
Here's my "Hybrid" tub: ruclips.net/video/radHBan7-BI/видео.html
I like this setup
Should last for years
I think they should last 5 to 7 years. I’ve already had to replace one of these, but the rest of them look pretty good.
Hey there! New subscriber here! Great idea! I'm going to be planting some raspberries and thornless Blackberries soon. You berry patch looks nice and neat! Love it!
Thanks for the sub!
I love Leon too. Made my first wicking tub from a rubbermaid tub this year.
So many think it's GOT to be made out of a protein tub (like mine) but a rubbermaid tote would work great!!!
Thanks
How is the comparison between the new hybrid and the Earth Container going?
You know we have alkaline soil here, and cannot grow blueberries here because of the soil PH, but I bet these would work great for blueberries with acidic soil in them
I bet they would too. I’ve never grown blueberries.
Personally, I don’t like the taste of them.
(I got sick on them when I was a kid and never got over it) 😊
@@BIGALTX Well I have my blackberry cuttings all ready to form roots hopefully so I can test some wicking tubs out in the spring
Genius, brilliant!!
Thanks.
I can't take credit for the initial idea, but this "hybrid" variation is something I came up with :)
You can buy the sock *only* at most places that sell the drainage pipe
Probably true.
The sock comes with some of the pipe, but it can be bought separate
Thanks for sharing.
I’m finally getting around to planting my blackberry plants in my Earth Boxes. Couple questions:
1. What percentage peat? I thought I heard 50%, maybe that was minimum? In one of your videos I think you say 60-70%.
2. The directions that came with the Earth Box say to use Dolomite and they specifically say NOT lime. But your other video shows you adding lime. So I assume lime is the way to go?
3. The product directions also say to add Perlite. Is that necessary?
Thanks in advance for answers.
I would say at least 50% PEAT. The PEAT helps to wick the water upwards.
Use regular “garden lime“. Some people call it dolomite, but it’s really just a good garden lime. There is a certain lime that you’re not supposed to use and I forget what it is. I think it’s hydrated lime or something like that. Just use a lime that is for gardens and it’ll be OK.
No, I never put pearlite in mine. Most potting mixes will have perlite mixed in with it. It’s the little white specks that look like Styrofoam. That’s perlite.
RockStar!!! ty for sharing your knowledge!! 🤟🤟
Thanks!
I’m 5’2 walking through the Sutherlands with the pipe over one shoulder pushing my buggy. Lol you are not kidding about it being funny. I knocked a couple folks pretty good.
Hahaha... Folks were looking at me pretty funny.
I bet they were ready to get you OUT of there :)
That’s smart! My drain tubing did not come with the sock over it. Perhaps I could wrap ground cloth around the pipes?
I think that would work.
Just make sure the ends are completely closed.
I think you'd still have to make the snorkel hose and the overflow tube like I did it here. Let me know how it works!
You could do a double layer of the pipe to make a larger reservoir for water at the bottom.
Sure, but you lose some of the area that the roots would grow in. That would work for some things (maybe shallow rooted) but other things would need the extra room for root growth (like fruit trees and blackberries).
For that reason, Leon uses one layer of 6" in a regular pot, and 4" in pots that will have fruit trees.
Hope that helps,
alan
@@BIGALTX I was thinking that a deeper pot and the extra water capacity would be good for our Texas summers
The ground cover I got from Costco has lasted forever and it is lighter and thiner. It has never deteriorated.
Cool. I'll check it out!
why remove the sock in the first place? ive used the 4" tile with sand sock for years and it works great, no need for fabric.. thanks for posting👍
Compare the 2 earth boxes and mineral bucket growing tomatoes.
Will do :)
Just found the channel researching blackberries binge watching now what size are the tubs height and capacity
They are around 20 gallons. I think they are about 20" in diameter and 20" tall
Here's the best info I have on the tubs:
Here's how to get them: ruclips.net/video/SlAOl995SaQ/видео.html
Here's how to make them: ruclips.net/video/9guNoWP8_ls/видео.html
Here's my "Hybrid" tub: ruclips.net/video/radHBan7-BI/видео.html
Sorry, another question. I did not buy the fertilizer with the Earth Boxes. Would 10-10-10 be ok to use in the initial planting?
Yes, absolutely 👍🏻
So if you aren't using a drip irrigation you just fill the reservoir until the water comes out overflow and then do that daily? And if you use drip irrigation it takes care of filling itself? Thanks for all you do! -Kurt
Yes, just water by hand until the water comes out the overflow hole.
Great video. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
outstanding idea!
Glad you think so!
Looking forward to see the results👍
Wait no longer... AMAZING results!!!
Container veggies Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLutBw50GI1zwJe4AJnYbZIMzCHjSuWnbq
Container Blackberry Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLutBw50GI1zw9M4UxWAN3n9yeJ_WYS8TD
Hey how close do you place your wicking tubs to each other. ?
Can they be placed against one another.
I enjoy watching you informative videos.
You can place them right next to each other if you want to. I spaced them out about 10 or 12 inches apart just for better circulation. I think it might help with fungus control…
But not sure.
If you are in a tight area and don’t have much room then go ahead and leave them right next to each other. It would be OK.
I may just have to try this idea TP2 thanks for sharing :-)
You’re welcome 😊
Give it a shot!
I've been watching every video I can to prepare for North Dakota backyard gardening. I'm doing my best to understand, but I just don't have all my crayons in one box. Has anyone done a glass bottom see through root growth to show just what's going on inside after their built and soiled. The struggle is Real 🤣
Saw a guy cut a 1 inch wide vertical strip 5 inch long on the side starting near the bottom going up the side and siliconed clear Plex to cover it on the inside to view water level
Keep the dirt out, genius! 👍
That's the plan! 😎
Thanks for sharing your idea in this excellent video. Just a question, pls. I don't understand how water gets topped up in the pipes without a vertical watering tube. Does the sole upright watering tube in one of the reservoir pipes somehow top up the water in the other pipes through absorption? Probably a dumb question, but I can't figure this out! Cheers.
Each tub has its own watering tube.
And yes, the water from the bottom tube (with the upright tube) just fills the bottom reservoir with water... and fills up the other 2 tubes that are laying on the bottom.
All the tubes laying horizontal in the bottom of the tub are perforated, plus have the (sock) ends open... so they fill up quickly.
@@BIGALTX All clear now - thanks!
Great video and a new sub from Florida 🤟🏼
Good to have you!! :)
With a 4" pipe you'll have to water more frequently than with a 6" pipe. I wonder if you couldn't stick some crushed rock in the bottom of that bucket, under the pipe with the tube sock on it, to increase the size of the reservoir? I did splurge and buy a huge roll of 6" pipe; yep, it was pricey, but it works so well.
True. In the summer I watered most every day... bit then, I'm in TX.
The crushed rock thing might work.
But it will make the tub pretty heavy if you need to move it around.
@@BIGALTX Maybe some water jugs instead? Or pop cans? Instead of the crushed rock. It'll be light. I don't know. Something modified from the other tubs that Leon shows us how to make. Coffee cans? Sorry, I can't offer more ideas; just woke up anyway. LOL
I like the way you take the initiative to try new things. I found a large tote at Walmart that cost me eight dollars. I had an old laundry basket that was cracked in a few places along the handles so I flipped it upside down and side that toe and found a really large thick pillowcase that my sister had around. I think it’s denim. It’s about like a Levi jacket only a little bit thicker. I had my sister so that mate reel into that laundry basket and then I sat it down inside the tote. if you know how a laundry basket is shaped, it comes up, kinda like in a dome in the middle and levels out. There are several holes and the laundry basket for aeration. I put my potty mix in and I am extremely surprised on how much production I’m getting out of it. not only that, but I can put 10 gallons of water in this thing and I only have to feed and water once every nine days. I took some other steps like painting the tote white, so it doesn’t draw the heat from the sun too. I also built a PCV pipe cage around it, and I drape a curtain around it to keep the sun off the toe. makes things much cooler. There’s not so much of operation. I’m thinking about purchasing another tote and lining the original and pouring water in between the two totes to keep it just a little bit cooler. When I do that I’m gonna put some wheels on it so I can move it around better.
That sounds like a pretty neat idea. Basically you’re making a grow bag… If I understand correctly.
@@BIGALTX no it’s going to be a wicking tub. Instead of using the pipes and landscaping tarp, I am using the laundry basket to raise the potting soil and instead of using the landscaping tarp I am using that old pillowcase. I’ll be able to put 10 gallons in it. I just checked it out. there’s still a gap of about 2 inches at the top. I’m hoping that will be enough air to air prune.
@@sofakingphat8087 Got it... pretty cool
For the information greatly appreciated. ☮️☝🏿💜
Glad it was helpful!
its me again, thank you again.
You’re welcome!
Mine have worked great but the black syrup tubs are not as thick as the other color tubs and if you scoot them on concrete they start leaking..
I haven't used any black ones, but YES... I have found a big difference in the thickness of tubs
where do you get your boxes. The price range seems all over the place but if there is a good box (dimensions ?) at a decent price
this open container gardening for more people. Thx
Wicking Tubs:
Here's how to get them: ruclips.net/video/SlAOl995SaQ/видео.html
Here's how to make them: ruclips.net/video/9guNoWP8_ls/видео.html
Here's my "Hybrid" tub: ruclips.net/video/radHBan7-BI/видео.html
Hope that helps...
wow such a great idea, would this work for things like fig trees, or citrus?
Yes, absolutely.
I had 9 fig trees in these for a couple years before I put them in the ground. I think they would do well long-term also.
Rookie question ... If the netting prevents any dirt from getting into the pipes, how are the roots -- that are in the dirt -- going to get any water? I don't get it.
It "wicks" the water up. That's why it's called a "Wicking Tub".
A small % if the soil touches the water and it pulls water up to the roots of the crop
Earthboxes work the same way
I bought mine at Lowe’s for 6”x 100 for $122.00
👍👍
This is brilliant! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure!
Thanks for watching.
It looks like the over flow hole is above the pipe. Water can swamp the pipe. Leon puts his overflow hole 1 inch below the top of what ever it is you are using
The hole is 1" below the pipe, like Leon's.
I used 4" pipe and the hole is drilled at 3".
Hey, I've got an epiphany for you.
Instead of those costly tubes and netting in the bottom of the tub, I use three cut off chunks of inch and a half PVC pipe, cut with a pipe cutter to make it nice and smooth, on end, which holds up a circle of plastic (made from a Snap-On 5 gallon bucket lid) which holds a 2-in net pot inserted through a hole drilled at the center, using a hole saw.
I fasten the three chunks of PVC pipe to the bottom of the reservoir container using a few dabs of hot glue. Water is allowed to pass underneath these pipes between dabs of glue, but the glue holds it in place so I don't have to worry about things tipping over as I'm setting things up.
The net pot is lined with a double layer of nylon window screen. The screen offers a good separation layer, holds the growing medium and only allows the tiniest of particles through. It reaches through the bottom of the growing bin and winds up almost touching the bottom of the reservoir. I also put a few dabs of hot glue from the net pot to the plastic growing bin bucket bottom.
I pack the soil very tightly in the net pot before I add the rest of the growing medium. It sits in the water, full of compacted growing medium held in by that window screen and makes a dandy wick.
I pass a 1 inch PVC thin- wall pipe through the growing medium and through the plastic lid all the way to the bottom of the reservoir container, the end of which is cut on a bias, to allow water to flow freely as I pour it down the tube.
I am 74 years old and don't like bending over a whole bunch, so I make the tubes about 3 ft tall and I make the overflow hole in the bottom bucket right next to where I put the filler tube, so I don't have to bend over to see it flowing out, telling me it's full.
I'm all about simplicity, but I don't think I can make this any simpler.
Oh, and did I mention cheap?
For the price of a 5 gallon bucket with a lid and a 2-in net pot, three 2-in chunks of inch and a half PVC scrap, 3 ft of thin wall PVC pipe and a dozen or so dabs of hot glue, I'm an instant gardener.
EDIT:
I realized, too late, that I had explained what I do using 5 gallon buckets, but you use used protein tubs.
That's still no problem, because you can buy a sheet plastic which is made like corrugated cardboard to use as the bottom of your growing chamber, the part with the topsoil and the plant.
In this country it's called chloroplast. In Australia it's called Chloroflute. Go figure.
Anyway, you could figure out how deep you want your water reservoir to be and just measure up a little bit above the drilled drainage hole and circumscribe a circle on the plastic sheet, so that it fits snugly down in the protein tub and hot glue it around the edge. Easy peasy
Well, I haven't seen anyone do exactly what you did, but it sounds pretty cool.
I have seen some folks use net cups, but not exactly like yours... nice
Thanks for sharing
With this method, I imagine the fill tube could have its own sleeve cap at the bottom.
Sure, that would work!
@@BIGALTX OK cool
You, sir, are a humble genius! Thank you!
Wow, thanks Curtis!
I must say... they are working fantastic :)
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing. I have these same tubs and am going to try this. I'm in Oklahoma and have tried several methods of gardening on this property. Bugs are horrible out here. I will certainly be doing this. Liked 👍 & Subscribed. Look forward to learning more. Merry Christmas 🎄 ~Sammie 😁
Glad it helped
This is genius. Thanks. Btw, I'm curious what part of TX you're from. I'm always interested in accents and TX is such a big state; there are different accents. I'm guessing you're east TX, maybe toward OK. Am I close?
Yep, ETX but further south of OK
'Bout 1/2 way between Dallas and Shreveport
Home Depot sells just the sock , I bought some.
Wow... I've never seen just the "sock"... great find!
@@BIGALTX I was making up some wicking totes from ibc totes that I cut in half. It came on a cardboard holder and it rolled off like toilet paper. I believe it was 100 ft long.
I got a 100ft roll for a good price at McCoy's
GREAT!
I really like them better than the original ones.
I really like this idea now do you lift the pots to decide when to water again, or do yo just go off the physical appearance of the plant .
Also do you hit the top of the soil with water every time as well. THANKS IF YOU CAN HELP! Great info here.
The pot are VERY heavy when planted an watered.
I just try to water every other day to make sure they're watered enough But now, I've got an automatic irrigation system:
ruclips.net/video/0vHU8_fbZ0k/видео.html
With this hybrid, do you just pour the potting soil in on top of the wicking system? Or do you have other components to reach the brim of wicking system? Last Q. I imagine you first water the plant directly over the dirt, but afterwards to you water the plant directly through the tube poking up vertically out of the soil?
In the "Hybrid" tub I just pour the potting mix on top once I get my pipes in place. (make sure it's potting "MIX" not potting "soil"
During the season, you normally water down the pipe, but it's Ok if you water on top too... I do it sometimes (if i'm hand watering)
Thank you!
Do you need to remove one of the pieces of pipe at the bottom so the soil will be able to wick water?
I don't think so.
There should be enough soil in contact with the water to do the wicking.
Can't find these wicking tubs anywhere , I would appreciate any help finding them ,Thanks !
Maybe this will help: ruclips.net/video/SlAOl995SaQ/видео.html
Do you really need overflow pipe if you have holes in the pot underneath?
There are no holes in the bottom of the tub. Only the overflow hole on the side. Maybe I didn’t make that clear.
Do you have to put holes in those black pipe so the water can get in there
No, the ends of them (with the sock covering) allows water to get in
Hey TP, That looks like a small fortune in potting soil. Are you using name brand soil? Here in GA, Lowes sells a huge bag of soil conditioner for around 3 bucks, that is nothing but ground up pine bark. Would that work in the Leon Buckets?
I think the potting mix you use should have a lot of peat in it to draw up the moisture.
Not sure if ground up bark would work.
This is $13 for a 3 CF bag.
@@BIGALTX I mixed 1/3 compost-peat- coconut coif and i cant get it to wick. any ideas?
Great Idea!🌱🌵🌾
Thank you! 😊
What kind of soil do you use in these containers you are planting these blackberries in?
I use BM7 but any good potting mix will work.
"Dirt" will NOT wick the water so you have to use a mix with a lot of Peat in it.
Watch this: ruclips.net/video/9guNoWP8_ls/видео.html
What are the type of totes u have the grow bags in?
I got them from a business that was throwing them away 15 or so years ago
They are industrial, very heavy duty totes...about 15 LBS empty
Can't get any more :(
I saw some on Amazon a few years ago and they were 80 bucks each !!
Is it worthwhile to surround the bin with shade cloth so it doesn't overheat the soil (and the worms) too much ?
I haven't found heat to be a problem for these tubs at all, except they do have to be watered regularly in the heat of the summer.
I love this. Thank you!
So glad!
How does the water bridge the air gap to get to the soil?
White closely.
A small portion of the soil goes all the way down to the bottom of the tub. The water wicks up through that soil, to the rest of the tub.
@@BIGALTX OK Thanks, that makes sense. I don't know what white closely means, but I can understand that some of the dirt goes lower than the rest of it.
Hi I was looking at your self wicking tub video with the socks on the pipe,why couldn't you cut the tube length and slide them down in feed sack or corn sack.They are made out of polypropylene and as long as they stay out of the sun they won't rot.
As long as it is water permeable material, it might work.
Some of the feed sacks I get don't look like they would let water through.
Sir where can I buy the blue tubs
Wicking Tubs:
Here's how to get them: ruclips.net/video/SlAOl995SaQ/видео.html
Here's how to make them: ruclips.net/video/9guNoWP8_ls/видео.html
Here's my "Hybrid" tub: ruclips.net/video/radHBan7-BI/видео.html
Hope that helps,
alan
It's been a year and was wondering if you had good success using the self wicking method? Good production?? I think I'm going to try this year but use 5 gallon buckets as that is what I have on hand
I haven't used any 5 gallon buckets, but I had great success with Earthboxes, Wicking Tubs, and Grow Bags
The Grow Bags were 7 and 10 gallon.
Here's my comparison: ruclips.net/video/EklgdNg6WDU/видео.html
great idea
Glad you think so!
Thank you, How long can you keep your fruit trees on their wicking container?
Figs can be kept for a long time. Lots of folks KEEP them in containers for years.
Other trees probably need to be planted in the ground. Just depends on the variety.
I've decided to plant most of mine in the ground.
I'll do a video on it next week explaining my decision. 😀
Did it work out good? Just curious because I got all the stuff to try it.
Absolutely.
STILL using them!
ruclips.net/video/SWeyCB4DHxQ/видео.html
Was looking at the pipe that already comes with a sock covering over it and then just covering the ends. Since I have so many to make this year buying a 100’ length seems cost effective then covering ends and using zip ties to secure. Thoughts on this plan or things to think about?
That's what I did
I like that method :)
@@BIGALTX thanks!!!! Really enjoy your videos!!!
@@BIGALTX I’ve done sever Mr Leon tubs but small. Finally got the mineral tubs this year. Found 20! Getting hard to find and not for free anymore.
@@andileew830 So true...
Question how do you know the drainage pipe is food grade safe
I doubt there is any way to know that... or that the tubs are
@@BIGALTX Thank you for the reply. I enjoy your videos.
can dryer hose be used in a wicking tub?
I don''t think so.
I think it would crush under the weight of the soil, etc
Sorry if I missed this but are the 4" pipes used perforated with small holes all over for the water to leach into or are they solid and the water flows into them from the two open ends?
I these were perforated, but you can use either kind.
Since the ends are open to water coming in, it shouldn't matter
Got my socked pipe today ... im on a mission to have black berries as pretty as yours
I will need PICTURES!!! 👍😎