How To Make Wicking Beds

Bringing the outside in with indoor plants is all well and good, but how do you avoid an insect invasion in your home?

- Bree Townsend

Wicking beds are a great option for growing herbs and vegetables while keeping water use down. You can convert an existing raised garden bed into a wicking bed or make one from scratch with a few materials and second-hand goods. They work by creating a water reservoir at the base of the garden bed. The capillary action of the soil can then suck the water up as required for access by plant roots.

Follow our step-by-step guide to create your own wicking bed at home.

STEP 1

First things first, you need to select your garden bed. The possibilities are endless but you could use second-hand apple crates, corrugated iron water tanks cut into rounds or 1000-litre IBC tanks.

Regardless of your chosen platform, make sure to remove all sharp edges to avoid liner punctures (or injury).

If using a timber product, ensure the timber is in good condition and is not treated with anything toxic. If you opt for an IBC tank, make sure it has only been used for food storage previously (olive oil, etc instead of chemicals).

The main consideration when choosing your garden bed, however, is height. Make sure it’s about 70cm tall.