All about wicking beds
|
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. |
|
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 in Mick and Nicole offer IBC wicking beds for sale. They use recycled IBC containers to do their bit for the environment, and give your vegetables a boost! And with prices starting from $270 per bed, they're some of the most cost effective wicking beds on the market.
To order - email: [email protected]
They make to order and can customise beds to your requirements.
To order - email: [email protected]
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, Mick and Nicole from Maple Garden Wicking Beds can provide ready to use half IBC beds with all fittings. They have been supplying wicking bed kits to Canberra and the surrounding region for over two years. They source food safe IBC containers and all the wicking bed components to kick start your container garden.
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 please be careful when handling!
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, Mick and Nicole from Maple Garden Wicking Beds can provide ready to use half IBC beds with all fittings. They have been supplying wicking bed kits to Canberra and the surrounding region for over two years. They source food safe IBC containers and all the wicking bed components to kick start your container garden.
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)
- Silicone used on lids to ensure no leaks (top half only), on the existing IBC tap (bottom half only) and overflow tank fitting (both halves)
- 5m length of 50mm slotted agi pipe (Australian manufactured)
- Section of geotextile (we use grey or white UV-stabilised road grade fabric for long life)
- 50mm pvc inlet pipe with cap and agi pipe fitting (Australian manufactured)
- One overflow hole with 15mm tank fitting and overflow pipe (Australian manufactured)
- All sharp edges are filed/chamfered down to ensure safety.
Important safety note: while they take care to file sharp edges of the steel cages of their IBC beds please be careful when handling!
Prices
Half IBC wicking bed kit = $270
Delivery available starting at $50 or free pickup from Murrumbateman, NSW (25mins from Belconnen).
All beds made to order. We are able to accommodate any size order including large (8+) bed orders.
Please contact Mick and Nicole directly on [email protected] to order!
Delivery available starting at $50 or free pickup from Murrumbateman, NSW (25mins from Belconnen).
All beds made to order. We are able to accommodate any size order including large (8+) bed orders.
Please contact Mick and Nicole directly on [email protected] 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!
|
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!!! |