All about wicking beds
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Wicking beds are a great way to grow vegetables in any area with hot, dry summers where there is competition from larger plants (like big gum trees) that make it all but impossible to establish a vegetable garden in the ground.
Wicking beds work on the same principle as 'self watering’ pots - they are watered from underneath as well as above. The difference is that the reservoir in a wicking bed usually larger and often filled with gravel to help with the wicking action. Wicking beds are often much larger too, offering a viable alternative to standard raised beds for growing your vegetables. Because the soil in the bed isn't actually in contact with the surrounding soil, you can grow water loving vegetables in places you wouldn't normally be able to - saving space, and integrating yields into established ornamental gardens. You can even grow good yields on top of concrete or underneath gum trees! If you would like to buy a wicking bed made from a recycled IBC keep reading! If you want to learn how to make one yourself, please see the information videos at the bottom of this page. |
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Buy a wicking bed!!
If you don't have the time or materials to make your own bed, we are proud to tell you that our friends Aimee and Brendan now offer IBC wicking beds for sale. They use recycled food grade containers to do their bit for the environment, keep you safe and give your vegetables a boost! And with prices starting from $300 per bed, they're some of the most cost effective wicking beds on the market.
To order - email: cbr.wickingbeds (at) gmail.com
They make to order and can customise beds to your requirements.
To order - email: cbr.wickingbeds (at) gmail.com
They make to order and can customise beds to your requirements.
What's a converted IBC bed?
IBCs (intermediate bulk containers) are used to freight 1 cubic metre of liquids around the world on container ships. The plastic tub is surrounded by a sturdy steel cage. Reusing IBCs is a great way to reduce waste.
But it can be daunting to buy a whole IBC because you will need an angle grinder to cut through the steel cage and then you need to cut through the plastic and drill your holes in the right places. Cutting through the plastic with a jigsaw, angle grinder (or by hand) also generates a lot of small plastic dust so there's a big clean up operation involved to avoid getting microplastics all over your garden!
To save you the trouble, Aimee and Brendan can provide ready to use half IBC beds with all fittings. Please note they only use food grade or pharmaceutical grade IBCs (for human medicine) so you can be assured of a safe garden bed.
Each IBC bed comes with the following:
Important safety note: while they take care to file sharp edges of the steel cages of their IBC beds Aimee and Brendan can't guarantee there won't be a few sharp edges left - please be careful when handling! As an extra precaution, they also cut out the middle section of the cage, meaning the plastic insert is higher than the cage, so there are no pointy metal ends sticking up to catch your arm on when reaching into the garden bed. Some sellers cut the cage and then turn it upside down - great if you are making one at home but it tends to be less strong and is harder to safely transport. Aimee and Brendan's approach retains the strength of the original cage, while making it safer for you to work with and move around. This approach means it takes a little longer to make the beds but it's a sturdier and safer bed!
But it can be daunting to buy a whole IBC because you will need an angle grinder to cut through the steel cage and then you need to cut through the plastic and drill your holes in the right places. Cutting through the plastic with a jigsaw, angle grinder (or by hand) also generates a lot of small plastic dust so there's a big clean up operation involved to avoid getting microplastics all over your garden!
To save you the trouble, Aimee and Brendan can provide ready to use half IBC beds with all fittings. Please note they only use food grade or pharmaceutical grade IBCs (for human medicine) so you can be assured of a safe garden bed.
Each IBC bed comes with the following:
- Top or base half of IBC (just over 1 square metre growing space - dimensions are 1.2m long x 1m wide x about 45-50cm high) - check out the video below to learn the differences between tops and bases
- Food grade silicone used on lids to ensure no leaks (top half only)
- 5m length of 100mm slotted agi pipe (Australian manufactured, 100% recycled product)
- Section of geotextile (we use UV-stabilised fabric (grey or black) for long life)
- Flexible inlet pipe (Australian manufactured - they use the flexible one because it allows you to bend it easily to where you want it to go)
- One outlet hole with 25mm fitting comes as standard.
- Additional overflow hole above main outlet (no fitting)
- Additional basic outlets can be drilled and fitted for an additional fee
- If you want to connect beds together, they recommend using a more heavy duty, quality bulkhead fitting which they can provide for $25 per outlet/inlet.
- Connector piping can also be provided for a small extra cost.
Important safety note: while they take care to file sharp edges of the steel cages of their IBC beds Aimee and Brendan can't guarantee there won't be a few sharp edges left - please be careful when handling! As an extra precaution, they also cut out the middle section of the cage, meaning the plastic insert is higher than the cage, so there are no pointy metal ends sticking up to catch your arm on when reaching into the garden bed. Some sellers cut the cage and then turn it upside down - great if you are making one at home but it tends to be less strong and is harder to safely transport. Aimee and Brendan's approach retains the strength of the original cage, while making it safer for you to work with and move around. This approach means it takes a little longer to make the beds but it's a sturdier and safer bed!
Prices
Half IBC wicking bed kit = $330
Buy 2 or more wicking bed kits = $300 per bed
Need someone to install and fill your bed, ready for planting?
Additional $295 per bed.
Please contact Aimee and Brendan directly on cbr.wickingbeds(at)gmail.com to order!
Buy 2 or more wicking bed kits = $300 per bed
Need someone to install and fill your bed, ready for planting?
Additional $295 per bed.
Please contact Aimee and Brendan directly on cbr.wickingbeds(at)gmail.com to order!
Watch our video series on making an IBC wicking bed!
Ever since they featured on an episode of Gardening Australia, wicking beds made from IBCs have been gaining in popularity. The (slightly cheesy) video series below explains how we made our own IBC wicking beds, which is also how Aimee and Brendan do it, with some tips and tricks if you would like to try it yourself!
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Video 1. All about IBCs.
A quick tour of an intermediate bulk container (IBC). IBCs can be made into very durable wicking garden beds. Video 2. Two ways to cut an IBC in half
Cally explains the pros and cons of different cutting methods. Video 3. How we cut IBCs in half
A time lapse including tools we use and safety equipment. Video 4. Filing down sharp edges
A time lapse showing filing down the cut ends of the cage. |
Video 5. Top halves vs base halves
There are definite differences between the two halves of an IBC. Note that we do try to get people matching halves when we can! Video 6. Components in a wicking bed
An overview of the piping, geotextile and outlet holes. Video 7. Drilling outlet holes and fittings
A quick look at the best location to put your outlet hole and what kind of fittings you can use. Includes fittings to join beds together. VIDEO COMING SOON!!! Video 8. Filling up an IBC bed
Watch as we put together and fill our latest IBC wicking bed in our garden. Features laying the piping, filling and testing reservoir, geotextile and soil. VIDEO COMING SOON!!! |