Author: Peter Van Beek
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What about Wicking?
Wicking boxes and beds are for people who like to grow at least some healthy vegetables but are short of time, water, suitable space or money. With wicking boxes, they can grow healthy vegetables on balconies, concrete surfaces, near trees and on heavy clay soils. Wicking refers to water moving sideways and upwards without any…
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The Real Costs of Using Cloth and Stones in Wicking Boxes and Bed
A common mistake made when making wicking beds and boxes includes the use of stones and a sheet of cloth covering the stones. Rocks waste space where the soil biology should be, the cloth stops the wicking process and the amount of water held in the open spaces between stones is less than in soil.…
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Countless Ways to Make Wicking Beds
Wicking beds can be made from almost any materials, we are limited only by our imagination. Here are some common options: Styrofoam Boxes Styrofoam boxes of all sizes can be turned into wicking beds, from 50-litre boxes to 13-litre mini versions using 40 mm PVC pipe as a reservoir. These can be decorated and placed on…
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Build Your Own Shadehouse with Poly Pipe and Battens
A shade house protects against excessive sun, wind, and pests such as insects and possums. A simple structure can be made using materials that can be purchased at any good hardware store. This design minimises waste and time, with an estimated material cost of $500 as of March 2025. Use 30% shade cloth as 50%…
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Saving Macadamia Trees with Bio-Booster
In mid-April 2020, 11 young macadamia trees had been transplanted to the Bundaberg Botanical Gardens. These trees are a sub-species of Macadamia jansenii, as are the commercially grown ones. They are being grown to ensure that all genetics of the native macadamia tree are preserved, not just the commercial ones. Holes were dug, the trees…
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From 30 steers in 2000 to 90 in 2020 with soils and pasture still improving
This is the story of Brent Lashford ’s change to regenerative grazing, starting in 2000. Brent bought his property in the Machine Creek area behind Mt Larcom, Qld, 25 years ago, after looking around for 18 months. That included getting to know and learning from people like Peter Andrews and others who have pioneered natural…
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Sea minerals to bigger avocados. A Case Study.
Building Soil Carbon Nature’s way is, amongst other things, about diversity in the soil biology and feeding it with what that needs. They require more elements than what artificial fertilisers provide. One source of the most complete range is the sea where anything that has been washed away finishes up. Deep sea minerals are being…
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“Our Growing Business”, a Y6 Student Run Project
Students at a Queensland public primary school, inspired by the school’s wicking beds, purchased and cultivated seedlings, later selling them to raise funds for their Year 6 camp trip. We started our business off by selling seedlings we bought and raisedfor several months during school. We made recycled newspaper pots togrow them in and we…
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Building Wicking Beds for Schools
Wicking beds are amazing for schools and are a brilliant way to help get your students gardening. The tips in this guide can also be used for home gardens, but we will be referring to specific materials needed to ensure compliance with school regulations. Choosing and Preparing the Site Find a position that gets at…