Self-watering/wicking bed

[rexamus616]

Gday.

I've had this idea for a while, since I read abit of this blokes thread a few years ago. https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=108418

But I don't agree with using wood or plywood in the holes - it will attract termites, and plywood is glued together (toxic shit in your hole)


Then I saw this episode of Gardening Australia where they made a "wicking bed" http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s4010599.htm

So I decided this is what I need in the bush. But I originally planned to do it with rocks in the reservoir like on the show....

But thats abit far-fetched. So I thought I'd use something that was lighter and used less space. So I thought 'milk crates' would do.....

And they did.

Heres a sketch of the design:
https://www.icmag.com/ic/photo_popu...=vB_Editor_001&s=+&prod=attachments&ins=orig#


And my new design for next time: (more water space, and a soil wick)
https://www.icmag.com/ic/photo_popu...=vB_Editor_001&s=+&prod=attachments&ins=orig#



and some photos of the operation:

The hole:
https://www.icmag.com/ic/photo_popu...=vB_Editor_001&s=+&prod=attachments&ins=orig#

The topsoil:
https://www.icmag.com/ic/photo_popu...=vB_Editor_001&s=+&prod=attachments&ins=orig#

Checking sizes:
https://www.icmag.com/ic/photo_popu...=vB_Editor_001&s=+&prod=attachments&ins=orig#

 

[rexamus616]

Overflow pipe and trench
https://www.icmag.com/ic/photo_popu...1&s=+&prod=attachments&ins=link_thumb_2_orig#

Plastic layer with crates in position
https://www.icmag.com/ic/photo_popu...1&s=+&prod=attachments&ins=link_thumb_2_orig#

Overflow pipe cut through plastic, sealed with tape, and covered by shadecloth layer (peeled back for photo)
https://www.icmag.com/ic/photo_popu...1&s=+&prod=attachments&ins=link_thumb_2_orig#

Outlet end of overflow pipe. Covered with piece of shadecloth and taped in place. To be covered with soil. (I put a double handfull of leafmulch over outlet before covering with soil, to aid in keeping outlet free to drain)
https://www.icmag.com/ic/photo_popu...1&s=+&prod=attachments&ins=link_thumb_2_orig#

Replacing topsoil. (a tarp would have made the job cleaner and easier)

https://www.icmag.com/ic/photo_popu...1&s=+&prod=attachments&ins=link_thumb_2_orig#

 

[rexamus616]

All soil replaced, excess plastic liner cut off 5cm/2inch below soil level.
https://www.icmag.com/ic/album.php?albumid=58748&pictureid=1376200

Composted cow manure for added soil-carbon/humus. (raises soil C.E.C. or the capacity for your soil to hold nutrients)
https://www.icmag.com/ic/album.php?albumid=58748&pictureid=1376201

Dug into soil.
https://www.icmag.com/ic/album.php?albumid=58748&pictureid=1376202

Planted (after a months resting of the soil and recent rainfall)

DECEMBER 1st
https://www.icmag.com/ic/album.php?albumid=58748&pictureid=1376203

Another view. Just planted. Dec. 1st
https://www.icmag.com/ic/album.php?albumid=58748&pictureid=1376204

 

[rexamus616]

A month later (new years day)

JANUARY 1ST:
https://www.icmag.com/ic/album.php?albumid=58748&pictureid=1376205

https://www.icmag.com/ic/album.php?albumid=58748&pictureid=1376206

https://www.icmag.com/ic/album.php?albumid=58748&pictureid=1376207

https://www.icmag.com/ic/album.php?albumid=58748&pictureid=1376208

https://www.icmag.com/ic/album.php?albumid=58748&pictureid=1376209

 

[atk7]

Nice! how much rainfall during this tmeframe or have u had to haul water in and if so how often ?also how can you monitor resevior level to determine when it needs a recharge ? But I really like the setup .I may try this ,I live in a very arid area and this is a great hidden water res for a gorilla grow this is like what I had in mind but yours would be easier to pack in .

 

[TheBatCave]

nice one

 

[rexamus616]

Nice! how much rainfall during this timeframe or have u had to haul water in and if so how often ?also how can you monitor reservoir level to determine when it needs a recharge ? But I really like the setup .I may try this ,I live in a very arid area and this is a great hidden water res for a gorilla grow this is like what I had in mind but yours would be easier to pack in .

About 2 inches over a month. And one 5-10mm rain event after planting.

As for monitoring, I just judge by rainfall and the moisture of the soil.

I did consider putting in a 6 inch wide piece of PVC pipe, upright, BEFORE filling in soil, so I could fill the reservoir directly.... But i decided not to, as this would mean concealing the refilling pipe from aerial view. (helicopters)

The refilling pipe, being a large diameter, would allow you to check the reservoir.... But really, its easy to judge whether or not you need to water - if it hasn't rained, dig down into your soil and see if its moist.


The best thing about this system is that every bit of water you put on gets used or stored, rather than run down the hill/down into the aquifer. Also, any nutrient runoff is captured. (which could be a bad thing, when it come to flushing!)

In dry times, this method should last a month without watering. (well it did for me)

 

[Saibai]

Looks like your hard work and ingenuity will be rewarded come harvest time.

This is the way to go for permanent spots, dig another couple of new ones each season and soon you'll have more bud and plants than you know what to do with!

 

[b00m]

Nice find and your hard work is going to pay off for sure
Tagging along to see how it all goes

 

[slipperydip]

Beautiful work, following!

 

[TheBatCave]

love seeing dedicated out door growers use every day items to achieve the same effect

 

[Goldust]

just saw this
http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/13883-genius-idea-to-grow-tomatoes.html and reminded me of this post

 

[rexamus616]

Heres some pics of the stem of each.


Branches and shoots from top to bottom.

Adequate water supply -=> Happy plants.



Thanks for the replies!

 

[Saibai]

Nice, gonna be a tree!

 

[rexamus616]

Nice, gonna be a tree!

It is already! Bloody taller than me, and yet to flower!

The other two are coming along nicely too.... Luckily I put them on the northern side of the large one!

From a week ago, with name tags.

 

[rexamus616]

End of January

Valentines day


Skunk#1 Showing trichomes


Skunk#1 Top Colas

Critical Mass just starting to flower



Looks like the choppers are doing over our valley this week... Did over up north already

 

[rexamus616]

finished

finished

Terminator

Skunk

Wet from last nights rain, about to have 12mm more (moments after I took this picture)

Critical Mass

Harvested the Skunk and the Terminator, because of rain, mould and panic.... hahaha...

Critical mass has a little longer to go...

 

[noyd666]

good job mate , that system will get used here lol. skunk I go's well in green house to.

 

[rexamus616]

Thanks man. Yeah, I'm real happy with how its worked....

I'll definitely be doing it again...