What is a raised wicking bed?

A raised wicking bed is a self-contained method for growing vege- tables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. The bed provides a built-in water reservoir that allows plants to water themselves. The design is ideal for individuals who are new to gardening, but experienced gardeners will find it helpful as well.

What does a wicking bed do?

Invented by an Australian named Colin Austin, the idea with a wicking bed is that you prevent water from leaving the bottom of the bed with a waterproof liner or layer. This creates a water reservoir underneath the soil.

What are the disadvantages of a wicking bed?

Wicking beds do have some disadvantages as well: They cost more to install than in-ground swales and standard raised beds. They will freeze sooner in the fall than in-ground beds. There are additional freeze/thaw considerations that need to be taken into account, which is not required for conventional gardens.

What do you put in the bottom of a wicking bed?

Wicking beds water plants from below rather than above. It's basically a container with a water reservoir at its base. Moisture is drawn up through the soil via a process called capillary action or wicking.

What grows best in a wicking bed?

How to Make a Wicking Bed with Bread Crates | Large Water Capacity

How deep should the soil be in a wicking bed?

The optimum depth of soil in a wicking bed is around 40cm, as it provides sufficient soil depth for growing vegetables, while allowing newly-planted seedlings easy access to water. Using a soil depth of 40cm, with the standard water reservoir height of 20cm requires a raised bed height of 60cm.

Can you grow tomatoes in a wicking bed?

Wicking beds are great for ensuring your tomato plants have a steady supply of water over the summer months, but they can be problematic in heavy rain as the roots can stay too wet. If you haven't planted with manure then top-dress with some slow-release organic fertiliser.

Can you use sand in a wicking bed?

While the volume of river sand used in wicking beds is insignificant compared to that used in the construction industry, it still contributes to the problem.

How often should I water my bed wicking?

Watering (place hose in inlet) only once or twice a week in summer, less in winter. Waist height for easy gardening especially for people with mobility issues. 4-5 crops per year compared to one summer and one winter crop. Plants can be grown closer together and roots will grow deeper.

Do wicking beds smell?

Why wicking beds stink (but they don't have to!) So when there are too many nutrients in the wicking bed, bacteria start to use the delicious nutrition and ferment them into greenhouse gas methane and other even less palatable compounds that tend to smell quite unpleasant.

Can you grow strawberries in a wicking bed?

We typically plant strawberries during the hottest parts of the year, which means they require daily watering for at least the first month or two, or until the plants become established and the weather cools off. A great way to get around this watering malarkey is to plant into a wicking bed system.

Do wicking beds need Wicks?

To build a 600mm high wicking bed

This clever 'self-watering' system 'wicks' or draws up water from a reservoir below and delivers to it plants as they need it. It might sound like magic, but this process is driven by what's called capillary action.

Can you grow carrots in a wicking bed?

Planting carrots in your wicking bed

They are perfectly suited to wicking beds, as the main point of failure when growing carrots is inconsistent water. When stressed as seedlings from drying out and then being flooded, carrots can quickly bolt to seed before producing a fat healthy root.

Can I use gravel in a wicking bed?

Here's what you need:

Note that the gravel filled reservoir should not be more than ¼ the height of the bed (e.g. 10cm in a 40cm deep bed). For wicking to occur through the gravel, make sure the gravel pieces are less than 10 mm in size. You can also use scoria, crushed bricks or sand, or a combination.

Can you put worms in a wicking bed?

The theory is that by incorporating a worm farm into the wicking bed, the whole bed becomes part of the worm habitat, and the soil is fertilised and aerated by worm activity. Microbial activity is enhanced by the breakdown of Pine bark in the water reservoir.

Can I grow garlic in a wicking bed?

Garlic roots go down quite deeply and they will not be happy if there is water staying around the roots. Your developing garlic will rot quickly if the soil doesn't drain well. This is why garlic doesn't do very well in wicking beds, as the constant moisture is too much for the garlic.

Is sand a good wicking material?

This layer of sand helps the water to wick upwards, it keeps the soil from washing down into the reservoir, and prevents the soil from getting in the reservoir and causing anaerobic rotting. Make sure the sand you use is clean, and doesn't get mixed up with organic matter.

How do you fertilize a wicking bed?

- Due to the wicking process nutrition can be pulled down through the soil at a greater rate than in conventional garden beds. As a result your plants will appreciate regular feedings with fish fertiliser (once a month) and seaweed extract (once a fortnight).

Does potting mix wick?

A mix with 20% sand in it will assist the wicking action as it will allow the water to move more freely. The resulting open structured potting mix also allows for maximum root development in the root zone.

Can you grow asparagus in a wicking bed?

I've planted them a lot more intensively in the wicking bed (9 in aprox 1m²) as a bit of an experiment so like to feed them regularly with a basic compost tea to keep them well fed.

Can you plant potatoes next to garlic?

When planting your garlic, it's worth noting that it companions well with the following plants: Tomatoes. Fruit trees. Potatoes.