Hi,
I've been diving around Wicking Beds for the past few days. They have some interesting aspects about them.....so much so that I think that they are a perfect companion to an aquaponics system.....particularly for things like root crops, potatoes or plants that are too large to occupy expensive grow bed space.
I've written a blog post on them.....here.
Gary
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer
www.microponics.net.au - for candid dialogue on integrated backyard food production.
www.urbanaquaponics.com.au - the home of the Online Urban Aquaponics Manual.
Just planted spuds in one of mine today
Heres mine beeing constructed
If its free pick it up
Hi FishFood,
I can recall a previous post in which you mentioned that you were building a wicking bed. Have you had a chance to produce any plants from them and, if so, have you found that they live up to their promises around water saving and productivity?
Gary
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer
www.microponics.net.au - for candid dialogue on integrated backyard food production.
www.urbanaquaponics.com.au - the home of the Online Urban Aquaponics Manual.
Yes Gary they are going great guns the 2 wicking beds havent had water for 2 or 3 months they are full of worms and crops so far lettuce corrieander
and now spuds
on a side note the other 2 wicking beds with coco coi [fiber] have garlic ,onion ,shollots [spelling] spuds and cabbage
The 2 non wicking beds next door are dry as
If its free pick it up
Heres photos of the coco beds under construction
With these i just used the bath plug drain with a stand pipe with a hole a third of the way up
If its free pick it up
Gary, fishfood & all,
Thanks for the posts and pics on wicking beds. They will be a useful addition to the garden which can more easily watered by cistern. We have 2 large cisterns not hooked up yet, but hope to get them in use by next summer's garden. Right now Bellingham is about the last city in the state of Washington to not have water metering. That will soon change, which is for the best. Wicking beds look good! Thanks again.
Heres todays photos on wicking beds
If its free pick it up
Excellent article Gary, definitely want to give these a go...
FF pics will be a great help.
FF have you tried the tyre tower method for growing spuds?
I see a few tyres in the background of some of your pics...
Originally Posted by newfarmer
Na i use the wicking beds just planted this years the other day
If its free pick it up
Hi
I am about to construct my first wicking bed - so a couple of questions: My beds need to be 2400 long (so the chook run will fit on top between crops) - FF I notice that your beds are divided in half - is this necessary? Any preference for the lining material for the bottom? Also does anyone know of where I can get cheap railway sleepers in Brisbane?
Thanks
Kathy
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