Wicking growbed variation

[theremart]

122 Wicking grow bed.wmv - YouTube

This is experimental as I have not done one in this size / shape before, but thought I would share my adventure.

[theremart]

Update

Garden bed update ( wicking grow bed ) - YouTube

[theremart]

2nd wicking bed.

New style of wicking / selfwatering bed with Pondliner. - YouTube

[Cherryman]

Always experimenting Mart, that's what I like about you!

I try to understand what you are doing now.

Using the (rain)overflow to be directed straight underneath the grow-bed?

I have a few remarks, i hope you don't feel offended.

- Doesn't the compost become to dense? When moist and "working" it can become very dense and slimy it might plug up your inlets. I guess that's where a gravel bed would come in?

- What is the expected maintenance before things get stuck?
In short, it looks good but (too) complicated imho.


A while back I did see a great garden, the waterways from overflow and for irrigation where great and simple design!

Just a rock/stone based raised small waterway trough the whole garden, with strategically placed outlets along the way, simple adjustable with basic wood or stone, fine-tuning distribution.

Used as overflow, but also as irrigation when needed. An "on demand"littel river/aquaduct " in your garden.

Never a plug up, or when, easy visible. Just a simple U-shape, no top. Easy to maintain, never fails. On the side of the "waterway" growbeds fn all sizes and shapes, beautiful!

It looked easy to maintain, durable and briljant!

Keep it up Mart!

(My stevia in the aquaponics system is rising fast, but leaves stay small, any suggestions?)

Rob

[Guruji]

Wicked plants

My plants with wick:

Plants with wick - YouTube

[theremart]

RE: Thoughts about wicking bed.

>> Always experimenting Mart, that's what I like about you!

I can't help myself ;-)


>>Using the (rain)overflow to be directed straight underneath the >>grow-bed?

Well a pool beneath the grow bed yes.



>>- Doesn't the compost become to dense? When moist and "working"
>>it can become very dense and slimy it might plug up your inlets. I
>>guess that's where a gravel bed would come in?

I have built about 20 of these, and this is more in style of a huge "earthbox" The soil is always moist, never walked on so it does not pack, also I always add many red wiggler worms to the grow bed. They break up the soil and eat the decaying roots. I find them hard at work in my first system and that to me is a complete success.

It is possible that all of the holes may gum up, but hey i can learn my lesson and then try again.


>>- What is the expected maintenance before things get stuck?
>>In short, it looks good but (too) complicated imho.

Each of these beds is an adventure of building on what I have learned from before so I do share what I have learned from the past, and others like yourself have helped to make it even better.

My setup may not be the right one for you. My area sand, sand and more sand. So water does not stay at the roots it just keeps flowing on down into the ground.


>>A while back I did see a great garden, the waterways from overflow >>and for irrigation where great and simple design!

I have seen a similar design at a location called "Echo" here in Florida, but I do believe that was dependent on having clay.

There are tons of great designs out there, but often they do not fit every need.



>>(My stevia in the aquaponics system is rising fast, but leaves stay >>small, any suggestions?)

I have bigger leaves on my plants when I cut out the all the flowers at the top of the plant ( like the top 1 inch ). This encourages the plant to bush out and put out larger leaves. The strength of the plant that was going into the flower then goes into more leaves. This works well for me.

Thanks for your input.


Cheers!

[theremart]

Thanks for your video!

My plants with wick:

Plants with wick - YouTube

Hi,

Thank you for posting this. Are you using rope or something else for the wick? Interesting how the roots follow the wick down.

[theremart]

Next update on second wicking bed.

New Wicking Garden Bed Part 2 Compost in. - YouTube

Compost is in, as well as rock dust, bone meal and diatomaceous earth.

[theremart]

Update

Wicking garden beds, direct bilge pump solar. - YouTube