Tag: tips and tricks
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The Plant Health Pyramid
The plant health pyramid is a framework that explains the links between the health of a plant and its nutrition. It was developed by John Kempf and was presented as a talk in 2021 which can be found on YouTube. It highlights that a plant needs minerals from the soil and complex compounds from the…
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The Basics of Building your own Wicking Beds
Wicking beds can be purchased, but many sold as ‘wicking boxes’ do not actually wick. Before buying, read our article on the countless ways to make wicking beds and make sure to watch out for many of the common misconceptions and design flaws of commercialised and popularised wicking beds. Proper wicking beds are easy to make. Any container…
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Grass Measurement Posts
Grass measuring posts can be used to show increased pasture growth, if any. Taking photos from the same position over a period of time is one reliable way of finding out. Improvement in pasture quality is shown by cattle consistently showing preference for one plot over the other. This too can be recorded on photos and/or in…
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The Real Costs of Using Cloth and Stones in Wicking Boxes and Beds
Based on two common misconceptions, a common mistake made when making wicking beds and boxes is the use of stones and a sheet of cloth to cover the stones and the reservoir. The costs of doing so are high. Rocks waste space where the soil biology should be, the cloth stops the wicking process, and…
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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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Consequences of Misconceptions in Wicking Bed Designs
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…