Category: Wicking Beds
-
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…
-
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.…
-
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…
-
“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…
-
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…
-
Common Misconceptions and Design Flaws of Commercialised and Popularised Wicking Beds
Many so-called “wicking beds” found on the internet fail to wick properly. Unfortunately, even reputable sources like the ABC have promoted flawed designs. These issues stem from two major misconceptions. Misconception 1: Soil Filling the Reservoir Some believe that rain or excess surface watering will cause soil to fill the water reservoir. This only happens…
-
Making a Styrofoam Wicking Box
Building a Styrofoam box is a cheap and simple way to get started with growing healthy crops at home. Take care while building and you will soon be up and growing in no time! Remember, a lot of guides on the internet about making wicking beds are flawed, you can learn more about that by…
-
A Guide to Making Your Own Healthy Soil
Soils along the Queensland coast are often composed of silt and fine sand, with little clay and low mineral content. These sandy, low-fertility soils are sometimes sold as “topsoil” at garden supply stores, but the term refers only to their origin at the surface, not their quality or fertility. When using commercially sourced topsoil, screen…