SIP Raised Beds (201) + Self-Watering Containers + How-To Monitor Moisture Levels

I wanted to share an update on how my wicking bed is working out so far. This year I'm growing peppers, ground cherries and watermelons in it. Things are looking pretty good!
We've had quite a bit of rainfall recently. Fortunately, this raised bed was able to capture and conserve much of that rain. At the same time, it hasn't been so saturated that the plants' roots have drowned and died of root rot.
In this video you'll get a quick look at several SIP self-watering container designs. I'm using 5-gallon buckets, window boxes and 30 gallon totes. Corn, tomatoes, carrots and more!
Finally, I'll demonstrate how you can measure and monitor the moisture levels in your containers or raised beds. The tool used in my video is linked below:
3-in-1 Moisture Meter (Amazon):
amzn.to/2HvmiGY
For more info about my SIP Raised Bed design:
• Self-watering SIP Sub-...
albopepper.com...
For my tutorial on 30 Gallon SIP Tote construction:
albopepper.com...
For the video on my SIP Window Box:
• Homemade Self Watering...
#Albopepper #Irrigation #RaisedBedGardening #SelfWatering #WickingDeds
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[@Albopepper]

Learn more about how to use a self-watering planter: For a QUICK intro to SIPs (under 5 mins): kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYnch2COqLaKhKc Self-watering SIP Sub-irrigated Raised Bed Construction (How to Build) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqGce5evo9Rsnqs SIP Raised Bed (Update 2) + Watering & Aeration Screen Explanation kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHuVhWmdittrfcU SIP Raised Bed (Update 3) + Winterizing Planters & Totes kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3zVm3ZrqKhombc Self-watering planters have pros & cons. Read more about how they can benefit you the most: albopepper.com/sip_expectations.php

[@magicshopmumma2042]

Best explained gardening channel that I've found. I'm from Sydney, Australia but still relevant.

[@SJmystic]

One that you used Weather Underground to show the weather in PA. It's my favorite weather site! Love all the detail you provide and the updates. Thank you so much!!

[@jroberts29576]

+1 for PA! I’m right between Pittsburgh and Erie. Great videos man. Thank you for all of the great information.

[@freewaybaby]

Came here to see the beds, but got distracted by your glorious chives!!!

[@Albopepper]

There's a little something here for everyone! ;) Thanks for visiting my channel!!!

[@wobby1516]

I’m in 🇬🇧 but find your channel very informative. At the moment I’m converting a trug into a sub irrigation planter, I’ve also done the same for my runner bean planter. We’ve 4 hanging baskets that I bought to test thinking they wouldn’t be that great as they only have a small centre wick, they are great though.

[@enriqueandersen]

Gracias por mostrar tu lindo trabajo.

[@davejohnson9792]

Great stuff Al! I have my 4x4 SIP box up and running and I'm getting some nice growth so far. I had to use 3" corrugated perforated piping as that was all I can find locally - although it measured more like 3.5"...regardless it seems to be working fine and I witnessed the drain pipe flowing out water after heavy rains! Very gratifying, thanks for all of the knowledge!!

[@GilbertBigelow]

Really good video that shows actual results from sip.

[@bobwinner8936]

Love the t-shirt.

[@diverhose]

Thank you! Very informative and thorough thinking in designing your gardening setups.

[@beatmakerbrown]

Nice, great videos, I have built a sip after watching your videos, I have been thinking on the tank freezing over in winter and thought to myself you could put an aquarium heater inside, as long as there is always enough water inside, with a float valve that would probably raise the temp enough to stop the freeze and also benifit the plants with a bit of extra warmth

[@beatmakerbrown]

Probably not the safest idea, but would be good if the heater had a long power cord, running to a safe outlet

[@kskorner74]

in those instances of a lot of rain, you could always use a container under the drip hole to catch the runoff

[@Albopepper]

Good idea!!!

[@7munkee]

Rainwater is also charged with nitrogen!

[@patcourtemanche]

Will definitely set up a few of those elevated planters next season. Great video! Thanks!

[@Albopepper]

Hi Patrick. Sounds good! I've gotten lots of good feedback from people who have built these systems. I hope you have a great season. Thanks for watching!

[@jakewirthlin3883]

He is very and precise helpful. Thank you

[@careymendoza5306]

Can you please show how to make a trellis for climbing plants ? Thank you in advance 😊

[@Albopepper]

Please watch this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fl6XdYaepdeEq9U

[@gazsto9510]

Great informative video! Your larger planters, what size are the reservoirs? Do you have an aeration area for the soil? Still learning and just want to get some real working advice from experience growers like yourself, appreciate any help you can throw my way. Soil depth for succulents and vegetables for instance, even beds for flowers, if you had a larger trough planter what's the minimum soil depth. Lots of question, but mainly 'water reservoir depth' and 'soil depth' for the different plants is the most important, if you can a spare a few minutes would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks Gaz

[@TheDarkevil8490]

I know you warn about not doing this build any shallower but I was wanting to know if it can be made deeper? I have carrots that grow very long and I'm worried about it being too wet at the bottom. I want to build a bed that's at least 20 inches deep.

[@garywest3763]

Your containers on the cement slab. The Plants look good, do you have a Ground wire going into each container?. I have seen growth rates Increase if the soil has a ground wire in it for the Plants to get the earths electrons into the soil.

[@lurklingX]

oh wow you're in PITT? i have fam near there. zelienople. i was wondering about the tray you are using for the planter boxes (petunias). i have two of these but no idea where to find a tray to fit. any thoughts? thx!!

[@marthamaxwell9997]

Excellent!

[@Albopepper]

Thanks for watching Martha! :-)

[@johnkozaczok3713]

Awesome video, What do you think about adding this with a aquaponics system?

[@gerisullivan9946]

Fantastic Video! I watched it several times. I duplicated your box almost exactly except I elevated mine off the ground. If I use 7 tubes, I have slightly less than 1/2" between tubes. If I use six tubes, I have just over an inch. Which is better? Also, after all the work of building, I'm very unsure what to pack between the tubes. I think you said 70% Peat Moss and 30% Vermiculite. Do I have this correct? Thank you

[@vertigo6982]

I think he said in the first video he wouldve liked to have more space in between his tubes.. so I would probably go for 6 tubes with the inch spacing.. it just means more room for filler.. and that means more filling.. which means.. more material to do the wicking.

[@yva1118yva]

i think his original video said he had a quarter of an inch, & was "stuffing" the mix in between, but did not wish to go too much wider because that would mean too much soaked soil/rotting, so over an inch each seems like way too much. it also looked & sounded like he was going with almost half ratio vermiculite for that bottom part.

[@suzocomo7707]

Over by your spaghetti squash, I noticed that the tote(s) began to crack and deterioration. Was wondering how long totes last till they break down in direct sun light?

[@samanthamctague4538]

most of my backyard is concrete, do the containers have to be off the concrete? I was hoping to build the SIP wood bed on top of the concrete? I'm in Southern California, so no rain during the summer usually.

[@raniamarghalani3204]

❤️❤️❤️

[@kskorner74]

do you top water your lants in at transplant?

[@Albopepper]

Yes, I water them in. Also, I top water a little bit with directly sown seeds, until they germinate.

[@ryanr5527]

Anyone here have experience growing hops in these SIP's? I'm about to build one and I'm wondering if root rot may be a problem with such an aggressive root system. I'm in San Diego.

[@April31963]

Do you drain the beds in winter?

[@lurklingX]

i have winter questions, too. saw somewhere that SIP setup is suggested for just annual plants.... but for anywhere that freezes, suddenly questions arise. just like how you are not supposed to do drip irrigation in wintertime and should overwinter inside so it doesn't get busted up or whatever (ice). no idea how it works with SIPS. drain? leave it alone? *shrug*

[@davidcamp5023]

Do you have a tutorial on how to make the PVC supports and trellises?

[@Albopepper]

Hi David! I just produced this one. See what you think! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fl6XdYaepdeEq9U ;-D

[@Truthfearsnotrial]

Have you tried to use the 4" corrugated drain pipe in the bottom of a five gallon bucket for SIP?

[@Albopepper]

Thanks for watching. This video shows the approach I was taking with the 5 gallon buckets: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2KbeZqobZWZf8Um29s It maximizes the water reservoir and also the grow area for the root zone.

[@goodgnusable]

How do these smaller containers handle hot climates? Something like Phoenix, AZ? Would the soil and underlying water heat up too much?

[@Albopepper]

In hot climates, I would keep these beds on the ground and would not mount them on legs. I think that would work fine. But I'm in PA so my temps don't go over 90 F. I think the heat stress would be the same as a regular raised bed. But the advantage is having a water reservoir to constantly supply moisture. The plants really thrive!

[@randyman8984]

What size pvc pipe do you use to get the cut out bottle to fit to water? Love the videos, Thanks

[@Albopepper]

Thanks for watching Randy! I had used 1/2" inside diameter schedule 40 pipe to slip inside of the cut water bottle.

[@randyman8984]

@@Albopepper Do you have a video showing how you assemble ? I looked at the 1/2 inch today and it looked too small IMO

[@ohsoeasynutrition]

Great Video! So if you find that your soil is too moist, what is the corrective action? or too dry? Thanks

[@Albopepper]

Hi Almarie! Thanks for watching my video. If the soil is too moist, I would try to identify the cause: 1) Was it because I was watering too often, filling the reservoir to the top every single day? If so, then I'd try backing off on the watering and see how that goes. I don't even fill the reservoir in the Spring, because in my climate I get plenty of rain. Meanwhile, my plants are still small and don't need as much water. 2) Are the weather patterns causing the issue, due to excessive rain fall? In a region that suffers constant, heavy rains, then it might be good to add a layer of plastic to the top of the soil. It would need to be set up in a way that the water runs off of the edge of the bed. The potting mix needs to be mounded up in the middle, making a slope. 3) Does the potting mix composition need corrected? In my application & growing zone my SIPs work fine with no plastic covers. But something that makes a big difference is using a good potting mix. I think that adding some coarse perlite (up to 10% of total volume) can really help out. The added pore spacing can help to balance the effects of high moisture levels. As for SIPs that are too dry, simply fill up the reservoir & then spray the top of the soil with water. Water it more often. Remember that if peat moss completely dries out, it tends to repel water, so try to avoid that. If severe climatic issues are accelerating soil evaporation, then using a plastic layer can help with this as well. Or even using some sort of a mulch could help. Just remove the mulch at the end of the season, composting it if it's organic. Try mixing in a little extra coir if you need to boost water absorption. These are a variety of tactics that can help you to adapt the usage of one of these to your particular growing area. I hope that helps!

[@ohsoeasynutrition]

This is great information I will read over it :D

[@turtle2pond]

Drought is still ongoing right now in 2016 :/

[@Albopepper]

That's so frustrating! I hope you get a break soon. :-( SIP systems such as these are able to provide options for gardening despite limited water supply. But yeah, our planet is in vital need of some TLC.