Whats a wicking bed?

skipd · **Posted:** Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:40 am

I have heard it talked about and saw some pics here but am still in the dark as to what its about.
Can someone please enlighten me as to what a Wicking bed is, please.
Kind regards, skipd.

Food&Fish · **Posted:** Thu Dec 30, 2010 5:22 pm

A wicking bed is a super water efficiant garden its just a very water wise dirt garden
The old tales about your veggie garden has to be in good draining soil thats old hat
Wicking beds are a dirt garden with a water reservoir under neath
in hot weather you water your dirt garden every day a wicking bed depending on the no of plants you may need to water every 4 days
google wicking beds or just use the search button on the forum

Tristrin · **Posted:** Thu Dec 30, 2010 9:17 pm

Think of a wicking bed as a large self watering pot

Ours has vermiculite in the bottom, then a layer of shadecloth, then good quality potting mix. A pipe extends from the top down & along the bottom with holes cut into it to allow water to seep out. It's also important to have an overflow for excess water to flow out. Fill the bed from the top of the pipe until water starts to flow out the overflow.We can see down our pipe to see when water needs to be added.

skipd · **Posted:** Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:52 pm

Them wicking beds look wicked. :thunbs:

Might have to give one a go sometime.
Doesnt look like it would cost much to setup, and it must cut down on the bed shrinking so much, so many good points, worms, feeding bucket for them, less water use.
I love finding out about this stuff.
There is some good stuff if you troll through a bit of google.
Laters. :wave:

decal · **Posted:** Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:55 pm

Looking at adding a couple of wicking beds to our veggie Patch. Our plan is to is corrugated garden beds but have the bottoms put in. So basically a low water tank with the top cut out.

Want to grow potatoes in them.

:thumb:

dufflight · **Posted:** Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:19 pm

Can't remember the name but you dig a trench and fill it with timber. Then cover with dirt. As the wood breaks down it holds a lot of water and provides fert for the plants. Little to no watering and can last for 30 years. First 12 months before the wood starts to break down its not ment to perform that well but after that. I've got a 2 story palm tree that I need to cut down. Just need to dig a deep trench first.

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