LOW Cost DIY Self Watering Raised Garden Wicking Bed From an IBC

[@Selfsufficientme]

G'day Everyone, the link to the detailed article on our website is: selfsufficientme.com/how-to-make-an-ibc-wicking-bed-2-ways/ Remember, our new website is coming soon and we will finally have our own merch store plus other helpful resources in the future! Thanks for your support! Cheers :)

[@MrJFoster1984]

Water storage/drinking water, worm farms, aquaponics, fire fighting trailers, growing beds, Have 12 of them, they are great. If you look online there are fittings available which can adapt to go to fresh water and ag line.

[@rohantherockwiththerocketh7871]

Mate this is a ripper way to do a bunch of garden beds if you have a few dollars to spare. Have a ripper Mark!

[@myshinobi1987]

I wonder if you could apply this self watering principal to the Birdies garden beds (the full height ones in particular) as I have three already in Hügelkultur.

[@Basskip]

Hi Mark/Celia, is there a specific kind of paint we should be using to protect the IBC? Thanks for the great video

[@Mr.Binks.]

@basskip hi, Celia here, I just used a good quality tinned spray paint.

[@aaronhopkins6697]

My garden tip I've been doing for years is. Wash out the compost and manure bags in a wheel barrow then you have the best free nutrient water to add to the garden and plants. Waste not want not ! Happy gardening 👍

[@GardeningandMyDailyLife]

Bạn thật biết cách tận dụng hết những gì mình có không để lãng phí ❤️👍.

[@kathrynbillinghurst188]

Thanx ✌️😁👍💐 Good ☝️ one!

[@nunyabusiness863]

Actually never even thought to do that. I always shook my head at the waste in the corners and sides of the bags, not even thinking about rinsing them out. Thank you so much for this!

[@W4iteFlame]

That is a good and logical idea. Thanks

[@nickbrailey990]

Thank you

[@whobee7872]

In a quaint little Aussy neighborhood, not too far away, lives a man named Mark, brightening up every day. Once a soldier, now with a spade in his hand, He tends to his garden across the vast land. With a sparkle in his eye and a grin so wide, Mark shares his gardening tips with great pride. On his KZbin channel, he's known far and wide, teaching folks to grow, with joy by their side. "Let's Get Into It!" is his famous cheer, As he dives into gardening, year after year. From onions to celery, he knows what to do, With his trusty old shovel and watering can too. His tales are amusing, his humor so bright, As he talks 'bout his garden, in the day and the night. With rhymes in his speech and a bounce in his stride, Mark's gardening wisdom, you'll surely abide. So if you're in need of a laugh and some green, Just tune in to Mark, you'll see what I mean. For a veteran turned gardener, so charming and wise, with his catchphrase he'll say, "Let's Get Into It!" with pride!

[@danielleterry2331]

Very nice 👍

[@ZachMason-c9v]

He didn't see it 😭😭

[@ml.5377]

A joy to read!

[@amydecker6207]

That's great!

[@babystepsgarden6162]

You surely brightened up my day! Thank you so much! 🌺🌻🌺🌻🌺

[@bmelloyello]

This gave me an idea, maybe a little impractile but if the need arrises and water is really scarce, you could set these up in a row of descending elevation, so you water the highest bed, the water filters through and drains out into the 2nd bed, and so on. Plants that require the most water could be in the highest beds, and more drought tolerant plants could be in the lowest beds.

[@RommelManurung]

Similar concept to Balinese (among other indigenous cultures) paddy rice field to both maximise and conserve water use

[@VK-qo1gm]

A brilliant & very practical idea, especially as water is one of our most precious resources

[@lelleithmurray235]

Yes! That sounds like a very good idea! So much of the water won't go to waste.

[@miamikkelsen1]

I believe that might be the setup we see in the still picture around 4:48?

[@gengar90]

great idea

[@dannyfrommyceswickfarm1758]

Hi Mark my wife and I live in central Vic, we have almost 150 wicking beds it's the only way we can grow our vegetables due to the lack of rain fall here we use 20 mm gravel 150mm thick then a good wheelbarrow load of tree mulch 80 litres of fresh cow manure and soil to fill best garden beds I've ever grown in. our irrigation system is a closed system so we don't wast any water

[@Selfsufficientme]

150 wicking beds! WOW! Great stuff Danny - I bet you guys grow a ton... or more ;) All the best :)

[@traryvery8851]

That is so impressive 😀

[@betterlivingonabudget]

I've never seen an IBC garden bed before, great idea.

[@marilynturcotte5304]

I love what she has done with her gardening concept. Only containers that are food-grade and large barrels, the use of wire-mesh trash cans as protectors for the lettuce, well, I'm borrowing that idea to stop chipmunks from digging in my garden beds.

[@vginnmusa3128]

Keeps rats & quail from eating your sprouts too!

[@weirdsweetcoolplants]

Why not trap the chipmunks? Then get a campfire, some herbs and spices and some friends. I can see it now: "Chipmunks roasting over an open fire...."❤😂

[@bettinaripperger4159]

@@weirdsweetcoolplantstaste like chicken 🍗 🐿️

[@bradjolliffe7382]

Hey mark im a Farmer in the Riverina about 30 kms west of wagga we have a veggie garden full of 30 or more ibc tubs we use a full size tub and use your method of adding wood in the bottom and we use waste from our feedlot and straw and hay it makes a great mix and the height of a full ibc is great because that’s comfortable to weed and manage being a ex shearer I love the full size containers saving bending obviously we’re lucky enough to have these ibc tubs on hand moret than we can use from our farm cropping program but we’ve also found them excellent for storing of winter wood for the fire just by pulling the Blatter out I’m amazed at the price people pay for them when in reality a lot of farmers just burn them or hand them back into there chemical agents that dispose of them a few phone calls and you will find a lot of farmers are happy to get rid of them and be happy for someone make use out of them rather than burn them

[@Selfsufficientme]

G'day Brad, ahh the beautiful Riverina... That brings back memories. I spent several years in Wagga when I was an Army recruit and then later as a recruit instructor. I haven't thought of using whole IBCs for Hugelkultur raised beds - that sounds like a great idea! It's also a top way to repurpose these containers. Thanks for sharing 👍🙂

[@ReynoldsinTexas]

Thank you brother I'm in Texas USA and I'll need to do this very quickly as we head into summer. I appreciate all your videos! Much love

[@veganwinter]

I think we have similar conditions to you here in Queensland , Aus. Hard growing but worthwhile! Good luck!

[@dr.froghopper6711]

I’m in New Mexico and I live at 5000’ elevation SW of Albuquerque. We water here like we enjoy sex: long and deep. These totes will help!

[@beverlyzoch9042]

We live in Southeast Texas and we go from really wet to really dry! This sounds like a good idea. Thanks

[@TXJan0057]

I really like the way the edges are covered and the use of sand in the water reservoir these are both features I haven't seen in wicking tubs before.

[@NHamel123]

Jack Spirko has vids on these working in the DFW area if you need more inspiration

[@theSam91]

Wicking beds are the way to go for arid/semi arid areas. Where I am the yard is 100% hydrophobic sand. You can make wicking beds out of timber too, we used some old fence pailings to make raised beds then used a large pond liner for the reservoir. Tree roots can't get in, the plants have all the water they need while not wasting a single drop. The plants don't even wilt in summer! They just make so much sense.

[@rachalnocchi5600]

What a fantastic idea! These raised beds are potentally so much less expensive to buy. Thank you for showing yet another way to garden!❤🌱

[@Shiaraenaa]

Good Day Mark, I'm writing to you from Poland. I have been watching your channel for over two years now and I wanted to thank you, it helps me both learn and stay interested in gardening. I absolutely appreciate your unending enthusiasm and kindness. I have a feeling we would disagree about a lot of issues and I absolutely love that it doesn't have to matter at all. I live in a big city, in a block of flats and at times looking at KZbin was my only connection to gardening. Right now I am a part of a growing communal garden in the middle of the city hoping to bring some joy and good food to more people. Thank you a lot!

[@Selfsufficientme]

G'day and thanks for supporting my channel for so long! I agree; the beauty of gardening is how it acts as a perfect conduit to join people together, no matter their opinions on other things. Well done on getting out and getting into it in your communal garden! These growing spaces are gold for city areas, and I wish they had more. All the best :)

[@jaypeabee]

Great job. Good tip: have a plugged hole at the very bottom of the wicking bed. Every 12 months or so, the water should be completely emptied out (which is where sand is a bit problematic). Dissolved mineral salts and other nutrients from the soil can build up in the water reservoir that can end up burning vegies after a while 😊

[@hansimuli]

First pink hair lady that isn't off-putting. Thank you very much. I learned something today.

[@denisehawkins7280]

I have 10 of these and they work fantastic..I have them placed where a normal in ground bed won't work due to the yard flooding in heavy rain... I paid $100.for each full one and then cut them in half ...making two beds for $50 each.... Plus I have five full ones connected to shed roof gutters ..these are full of water for extra for the gardens when times are dry.... I have these all covered in two layers of heavy duty shade cloth to stop the water from turning green or you can paint them ... My ibcs are all food grade...make sure of that... Mine had vinegar in them so when I got them I fully washed them out with some bi carb soda to neutralise any vinegar that may of remained as a residue... Great video thanks for the share... 💞

[@Selfsufficientme]

G'day Denise, thanks for taking the time to share your feedback and experience with reusing IBC! Cheers :)

[@iluomopeloso]

How do they do over winter? I'd love to try this, but I'm worried that the winter freeze would kill all the microorganisms that don't have anywhere deeper to go like they do in raised beds that are connected to the ground.

[@_Timo1]

Phenomenal idea! I'd take the hose trim off from the top and tuck the fabric under it then zip tie through it to hold it cleaner. maybe even connect the outlet pipes together and catch the excess in a full IBC tote as a catchment system. I might implement this into my future plans.

[@Mr.Binks.]

Such a great idea!!

[@C9638-g4v]

Around our place, the IBC frames are used for storing and seasoning firewood. The couple of wicking beds have a simple 13mm irrigation pipe outlet which is on a 90 degree fitting so the pipe can be rotated to adjust the depth of water in the ibc

[@crazychickenladyhomestead6918]

We found some old rubbing alcohol totes for $35 each. The did not come with the caps/plugs. We cut them in half, drilled a few holes for drainage and added sticks, small aged logs and leaves about 1/3 the way. Then I messed up and used topsoil. However, it grew greens and herbs very well. After a year, I added store bought container soil and planted strawberries and asparagus in one. They're doing PHENOMENALLY! We also planted potatoes in another and topped it with bagged garden soil. Those are 3ft tall now and the lemon balm, catnip, collards and kale are all going crazy. Hugelkuter is a great thing even with crappy soil!

[@ericv00]

Hugelkultur is my way of getting rid of my brush piles, haha! (and I get rid of my grass clippings by using them for mulch) Have to grow veg just to deal with my yard waste!

[@epicgardening]

Love this Mark! I have fond memories of my IBC connected to a gutter, connected to a hose... that overflowed...into my garden...LOL. - Kevin

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Kevin! Yeah, that's another great idea and useage for an IBC. Cheers mate :)

[@khamsibq]

That is amazing work I follow u from Saudi arabia We r lacking water in certain ares in saudi arabia I think wicking tub is gud for planting rice at home

[@garulusglandarius6126]

Love this system, love this lady , I’m going to try at least one bed this year. Thanks guys 👍👍🇦🇺🇬🇧

[@peteraugust5295]

I use IBCs here in Germany for water storage. Prices generally vary from 50-70€ (80-115AUD). If you want a food safe one, you can add another 50% on top. Maybe more. I generally get mine from a guy that runs a logistics company, where I get a pretty good discount.

[@James-mv9qx]

I've had these going for several years, except I used 20mm drainage stone instead of sand. They work great for a couple of years but in my case the grass and weed seeds were blowing in and they'd grow the roots into the shade cloth around the edge. It would get really matted in and you can't pull it out, so you end up with a 10cm "tuft" of grass around the edge which eventually takes over. Really need to cut that cloth well below the soil line

[@GeoffryWK]

That was a very interesting video. It gave me a few ideas for my next garden once the ground is prepared. Maybe not with the IBC, but for raised beds. And from a USAF Veteran, Thank you Mark for your Service in the Australian Military. We Veterans are a Brotherhood.

[@autumnwest5854]

Thank you for your Service

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks for your service Doug! Cheers mate :)

[@Pat206]

So true!

[@Cubevanlife]

Bloody hell I’ve just ordered two 9’ raised corrugated metal beds online. I have three spare IBC totes for water collection in my backyard that I purchased from local farmers for $50 each. If you cut them in half you get two beds and you can give them a proper cleaning. This is brilliant.

[@virginiarocks]

Wow. It would be interesting to have a garden tour of her garden someday. Interesting topic.

[@montymc450]

Wicked wicking wondrous work. Deserves s double thumbs up

[@Selfsufficientme]

LOL... 🙂👍

[@BeeKayy13]

I have never in my life watched views climb whilst watching something. I am so happy for you and your channel Mark. Well done. And THANKYOU for getting into it on camera. You are a smart and wonderful man and I am so glad to have access to such great and wholesome content. Love from Melbourne 🌾⭐

[@donaldsanders5124]

Here in SC USA I pay 40 dollars for used IBC's that have had soap in them. I cut them with a Saws-All and get to raised beds for 20 dollars each. I use Horse manure all stall waiste that's aged from a local Horse Rancher for 20 dollars a PU truck load ( I have to go get it myself at that price) and that feels two to three raised beds. If you use the German Hugoculture technique wth rotten wood in the bottom you can even feel four raised beds with one PU truck load. I drill 1/2 in holes around the bottom at six inches from bottom for drains. I tried smaller holes but the clogged up.. You don't loose any soil with 1/2 so no worries there. I've got nearly thirty IBC raised beds now and have veg's to give away every year to my family, friends and church. But having some many raise beds allows me to grow a lot of different different types of Corn, Tomatoes, Squash, insted of just a few types. I like the variety but you don't need that many for a small family. Mayby ten or twelve would be plenty to grow a lot of food for fresh eating and canning for winter. Love your video's and I get a huge chuckle every time with that big thumb of your's, lets get in to it. haha

[@nascar8rc]

Just wanted to say been watching your videos for a very long time. And have never commented on any of them until now. Just wanted to let you know I love every video that you've done. Thanks so much for all your insight and hard work 👍 And all that you do! 👍

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thank you for the kind feedback and also for supporting the channel for so long without getting sick of me! Cheers mate 👍🙂

[@crt9082]

Love this garden chat...and love the Lil tour of her garden. Would love to see it again!

[@Benlikesstuff]

I actually live in Brisbane. So I can actually use the same guy :) how great ! 👍

[@keiheaherakiwi1611]

Hoselink hoses and equipment is the BEST…… cheers to hose link

[@veganwinter]

Agree! Such a good investment.

[@Thingys-Jill]

A 275 gallon food grade IBC here in Idaho, USA is $350 plus tax and delivery. Just not feasible. I'd be putting a bucket under the overflow to catch that water! I think it's an awesome idea and thoroughly enjoyed the video.

[@kyyurtman1416]

That's a brand new one. Search Mqrket place for IBC that have been used for food products. I get mine for $40 here in Kentucky. Most of the ones I have gotten over the years have been used to hold sunflower oil, vegetable oil, and soy bean oil. They have always come with the main valves, caps, and cage. Keep looking. You can do the same thing in a smaller scale with 55 gallon food grade barrels. Cut them in half the long way. Place 2 4x4 or 4x6 pressure treated beams parallel with on the ground. Place the barrel half laying on the 2 beams. Find the comfort spot and use metal roofing screws that have the gasket to secure to beams. Add plumbing, sand and soil and your good to go.

[@williamrutherford8346]

Buy used ones that are food grade or ones contained mulch dye. We have them in Maryland for less than $100. Then split into 2 garden beds.

[@vginnmusa3128]

I get used ones for $45-100, depending on what was in them, condition (bent cage or base) & source. New unused ones cost what you are quoting.

[@traryvery8851]

As folks are saying, used food grade is the way to go and if water and heat are issues you will be happy with wicking beds.

[@pinkiepinkster8395]

Still worth it bc you will now get many years of free food.

[@ReapWhatYouSowGardening]

Great video Mark! I did the same thing but with plastic storage totes for growing TONS of veg in. Been doing it for 3 years now

[@NeighborhoodOfBlue]

Careful with those. They break down in sunlight as they are not UV-rated.

[@ReapWhatYouSowGardening]

@@NeighborhoodOfBlue mine NEVER broke down and some of them are even 4 to 5 years old

[@metasamsara]

I like to put felt in the bottom of my indoor pots to prevent dirt coming out through the drainage and it has the advantage of keeping moisture wicking at the bottom. It's very similar to the water retention of sphagnum moss. I recently started window indoor garden beds of 40L each and it has a water retention part in the center of the bottom while the feet drain out. I put rocks in the feet and felt above before packing dirt to properly diffuse the water from the center puddle throughout the whole bed evenly, at least that's the hope. It also has the advantage of keeping plants roots warmer in pots for overwintering.

[@barryjanis]

Those square containers look great and I am sure they will be abundantly , productive. Thanks for sharing.

[@lodzalater8169]

She's a lovely lady , made me smile at the end . Hope to see another follow up in future 🙏

[@allandriver2066]

The great thing for me about wicking beds is that because they are self contained they are perfect for people who rent. I have half a dozen beds made from 200 litre plastic tanks that I have cut in half and work perfectly. Big enough to grow a decent crop....but small enough to move if needed.

[@droac3]

I made my own from scratch following an ABC Gardening Australia video. Worth a look too. Very similar design and works really well. Thanks to you both for the video.

[@nateross14]

I've made and used wicking beds with 5" water reservoirs with the fabric....too much hassle and not with it IMO. A much simpler wicking bed with a tote or any container is to just omit the water reservoir tubes and fabric....no need for them and they just take up valuable root growing area. Just drill over flow drainage holes in the side of the container about 2" above the bottom and fill with your wicking soil. This will create a shallow 2" water saturated soil area at the bottom below the root zone and wick exactly the same or better than messing with all the tubes and fabric.

[@vk4vsp]

If you're building one of these from scratch, you'll find the IBC comes on its own metal pallet, so no need to raise it up. A lot of companies get material such as ad-blue (which is just urea), or canola oil (used for lubricating machinery) in IBCs. Once they're empty, they send them back to the manufacturer for the deposit, which is only a few dollars. So if you can find someone who's willing to sell you an IBC for the cost of the deposit, you're winning. I built ours after watching Rob's videos, so I used a lot more ag pipe than Celia and just used a thick layer of sugar cane mulch on top of the sand, rather than cloth, to keep the soil and sand separated. It probably mixes a bit after a while, but that doesn't matter once the bed is established. The most important thing with wicking beds of any kind is to use plenty of organic matter in the growing medium, so the water can wick up through it.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with growing the wicking way in an IBC! Cheers :)

[@njato9761]

Ive been thinking of building raised beds for a long time but have always held of because of the cost. The solution to my problem just presented itself. Thank you

[@abbibrannan333]

So I did google what it would cost in Washington State. Alibaba has 264 gal. for $98. Alignean food grade 330 gal. $67. yes there is a big difference in the prices. This is the best self=wicking system I have seen on the web, Thank You both!

[@thierryviez4551]

I did this kind of reservoir 15 years ago in Perth it works perfectly love it and also don't need much water 👍🏼

[@lelleithmurray235]

Good day Mark! What a lovely garden your friend has, and an excellent example of recycling plastic. One big thumbs up! 👍

[@johniwan1]

I started with one free IBC tote and it worked well. When I went looking to buy more they were $300+ here in Massachusetts (US) and I had to fetch them myself. For around $200 I could build a 4'x8'x3' (1.2mx2.4mx.9m) bed from galvanized metal roofing panels and 2"x6"x8" lumber from Home Depot. They look great and I'm now up to 8 units. I call them my "fat old guy" beds because I don't spend my day all bent over anymore and weeding is a pleasure too! This year I'm building them for 2 of my neighbors. Great channel Mark but I hate when you complain you don't get as much during "winter". The only crop we get here in winter is icicles and all the snow you can eat!

[@chezmoi42]

Remember that she is buying used units, not new. But good work on inventing your own recipe for your beds!

[@johniwan1]

@@chezmoi42 The $300+ were also used, new was 500+. I figured there were companies with stacks of them to get rid of but I guess there's a huge market in this area. Oh well, I like mine better.

[@VEWNZ]

Wow wow wow The perfect solution for me (too much decking & concrete ... running out of ground for food growing) Now all I got to do is locate those IBC Wicking Beds here in Wellington NZ. Her garden was just as stunning as yours

[@gryphenicedancer8796]

I don't know why KZbin recommend this, but I'm glad it did. I'm in Central Florida, a lot of this is useful. My yard is small, but I think I can fit at least two in the back. Fresh veggies all year round!

[@forrestberg591]

The work you do is fantastic and it’s influence incalculable! I’ve been gardening for two years now, inspired in part by you. I can’t quantify the joy it’s given me, but I can say with certainty it’s been enough to share

[@JT-ds4bu]

I live in the States and already use your Hügelkultur techniques for years. I am going to start pricing this process out where I live. Thank you so much!

[@johnjude2685]

I catch rain already estimated 360 gallons with about 1/3" of rainfall, and wasted water is something I dislike. Water is a great resource, and I don't waste it Almost never using tap water. Them raise bed does look great Thanks

[@teenagardner3623]

Great video once again about options of growing space in raised beds plus self watering. We can all appreciate the recycling. I also appreciate the lasagna/ compost in place method.

[@murlthomas2243]

I have regular Birdies beds. I use hugelkultur methods also. Large tree limbs/ trunks, wood shavings (pet bedding), leaves, straw and growing medium mixed with compost. I use straw to mulch. The straw layer below helps retain moisture in the growing medium above, and the straw mulch keeps the water from being evaporated. Each spring, I renew the straw layer. We are very dry in Oklahoma, and it limits the amount of watering I do in the summer.

[@jasonbean2764]

We're on the brink of a drought here in Florida. I'm grateful that our new chief community gardener had the foresight to install raised beds and drip irrigation! I just wish he hadn't had to use pressure treated lumber. I guess it's all he could find.

[@jessicapacella2937]

Is that why all my grass is dead

[@gidget8717]

Yup! When its dry in Florida, your lawn is brown. BUT the rainy season is just around the corner. The first year we lived down here, it rained every single day the month of july. Irma was our first hurricane, we had lived here for 6 years. ​@@jessicapacella2937

[@Selfsufficientme]

I would use an alternative to treated lumber where possible but having said that, there's no concrete evidence (that I've seen) of serious leeching into food. I still would ensure the harvest is washed properly, especially root veggies like potatoes and carrots. All the best :)

[@FusRoDarshinae]

These can be made better looking with a wooden raised garden frame built around it. You can make it as cheap or luxury as you like, I prefer the look of horizontal fence palings with a wider thicker wood around the top that you can sit on. Stained or oiled timber looks great and you can use treated timber as it does not come into contact with the soil, or if you do use untreated it will last longer from not touching the soil. In wetter climates you can also make more drainage just drill holes in the bottom. If you build a wooden frame around the IBC, the metal frame is then optional, you can use that for other things. You also then dont need to put pipe around the top of the plastic.

[@brucemattes5015]

This is so much more practical than the traditional wooden raised beds that I made out of pressure treated southern yellow pine decades ago in 1983-1984. The sad truth was that in just 11 years, when I was forced by circumstances to disassemble those beds, I found to my dismay that I could take a long-shanked, flat blade screwdriver and with little to no real effort thrust it all of the way through the 1.5" thick 2×8's and 2×10's that those beds were constructed from. I theorized that my soil was so biologically alive that it overcame the anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties of the wood preservative used to treat the southern yellow pine.

[@paulaspatch-y8i]

Its my first year/growing season using these types of beds, mine cost $50 each ( just for the half tank) and we did everything else, so far, its amazing

[@jonathan_r_lee92]

Great shout-out to Rob Bob. I don't do aquaponics but his videos have been very educational on the process of gardening in that way.

[@smetzroth01]

I've been slowly transitioning from raised beds to wicking for a few years now after the last drought we had. My wicking beds are all ibc and perform awesome. I'm currently awaiting delivery of a 3m x 1.1m wicking bed from a fellow toowoomba local watersaver Gardens. He used wood bark in the reservoir with great success.

[@debramcglinchie2664]

I purchased materials to convert my corro beds from birdies from same fellow years ago - unfortunately the wood chip breaks down & the plastic he supplied was not uv stable so have had to replace both (which means completely emptying beds - a big job) have used 25mm gravel & builders plastic in ones I've done but will use pond liner in larger ones

[@smetzroth01]

@debramcglinchie2664 interesting. I did ask him how long the woodchip lasts and he said 7 to 8 years. I've been half thinking of doing more conventional in this one I brought. Even the drain I'm thinking about doing a pipe like normal rather than the slits in the liner.

[@nannygranny9534]

I so appreciate all the info that helps me grow food!!

[@perrywelsh2558]

Have been using them for over ten years and they are the best growing system compared to ground planting. They were a boon during the drought in the Northern Tablelands. About to build 4 more. Just do it!

[@DonnyPetit]

I'm sold! As a desert-dweller this will be incredibly helpful for me.

[@Luke4145]

I have had wicking beds for several years and there great. four of mine are old discarded fridges for free! In the water reservoir part I use pebbles and also inverted old plastic pots to take up space so less stones/ pebbles they have holes drilled so the water can flow through. It can be very hot and dry, if you go away for a few days everything is fine.

[@maxbrooks1]

i use em, never have to water the garden, its great. everything in them thrives and i do very little maintenance

[@TrinaMadeIt]

We are in southwest wa and we haven’t had rain in over 6 months. Its just rained the last 24 hours and my garden soooo needed it.

[@traryvery8851]

Glad you have had some rain. It’s been pretty dry in Adelaide but not as bad as that.

[@ballygarran]

Just started using IBC containers for growing this year. They cost €50-70 food grade complete. Bit cheaper if you’re prepared to clean them out. I cut them in half myself and leave the bottom section on the integrated pallet and mount the top section into a plastic pallet. I move them around occasionally with my tractor. It suits me.

[@stevelush9994]

Thanks for yet another inspiring video you are encouraging an army of people including me to become more self sufficient even if its only in a small way (like me)

[@nellieblighhill4575]

Thankyou and fabulous guys...this is definitely the way to go if you are concerned about being on a budget and saving the planet at the same time. Can I just say a little hint for ripping newspaper. It actually has a grain. If you rip it from the top or bottom, like you both did, it comes out in uneven chunks which is fine for this purpose but if you rip it from the side instead it will strip in straight even strips and it is a lot easier to do.

[@martinholden8480]

Great video, I have several wicking beds that I have built over the last few years, I have used 200 Lt plastic drums, IBC containers, round plastic water troughs and an old Spa pool, I am still only learning how to do this properly but my wicking beds are now starting to grow well for me, they are easy to use as they are raised beds and there is not a lot if any much wasted water as all the water is in the wicking bed unless of course we get a lot of rain, they are really great things!!!!!!!!

[@melissahamm8122]

Wow you have some great friends I love real people who share great ideas I love your tubal water sweating system and the drainage that you've provided it's absolutely perfect or should I say genius are you sure you weren't a plant in a past life😅 your garden is beautiful good luck in the future😊 thanks so much for sharing

[@SBoots29]

Now that I am retired I built 3 raised beds. I obtain my water from the lake I live on/by but My future beds will incorporate this. Just a note, we just bought our first bag of carrots because we ran out of the ones I grew last year. It was a tough buy because I know I can grow my own vegetables. Cheers.

[@PeterDjordjevic-jo5fc]

We use ibc's for 90% of our veg gardens, i also put fruit trees in them. I buy them whole, then cut them in half etc etc.. love em!!

[@AeveryFreeman]

As a Northern hemisphere resident, I am always amazed at what you can grow 'down under'. Thanks much.

[@thizizliz]

Oh wow, this could work for me up here in the desert! No water waste - we get 10 inches of rain in a big year, so that's always a good thing. Also I don't think they'd get as hot as the metal ones. Thank you!!!!!!

[@ren2ski]

Great video thank you :) Geoff Lawton greening desert project uses these (can find it on KZbin) and they link the water between the ICBs with pipe so no water is lost 😅

[@AllGoodSeeds]

Liked that she is reclaiming the overflow water from the beds. Nutrient dense for hand watering!

[@RevdUp.Art.Fotografer]

Love the idea of using IBC’s. I’ve never seen them cut down for before. I really like that they protect the plants from critters burrowing up and eating them. That happened to a friend of mine. He just built ‘walls’ and filled them in, the bottom was just soil. I also like the idea of raising them up more. I’d be inclined to use cinder blocks. I think they’re sturdier and won’t degrade like wood. With the pallets once they start to deteriorate (granted that could be a while) you’ve got the problem of having to pick up that whole bed - emptied or full.

[@Mr.Binks.]

Hi, Celia here, you're so right. I had the pallets sitting here unused, and realised after I put the first couple of beds in that they won't last forever. So I then changed to the plastic pallets. I will indeed have to re-do those first couple when the pallets invariably fail. Lesson learnt!

[@124php]

This is what I was looking for. Made a first reased bed but watering in dry periods was time consuming. especially for water consuming plants like tomatoes and courgettes.

[@helenmcgill5563]

Thanks Mark and Cecilia, that was a fabulous, informative video and one which I will certainly try if I can get the containers here in Esperance WA. Love all your videos Mark, have been watching every one for many years now. It’s great that you are featuring other gardeners and their idea too on your channel. Great work 😀👍🌻

[@colinblack5636]

I use a 2x6 frame with poly sheeting to hold water for my wicking beds. Microfiber towels wick the water up to the level where I sit fabric pots. Very effective and cheap.

[@tedtolentino4955]

Thank you for sharing your methods and materials to make a self-wicking raised garden. Using and repurposing an IBC is a great idea. In my local (USA) we have these for as little as 20USD which is about the cheapest I could build a raised bed compared to wood planks, cement blocks, or metal watering troughs.

[@davinasquirrel7672]

Good idea for raised beds, and the $100 isn't too bad for those not equipped to cut them in half (angle grinder would be my weapon of choice). Getting second hand food grade IBCs can be a little bit of a challenge. As for Hoselink, yes I too am a big fan. Well worth the investment.

[@lisadella3781]

I've done this for years Mark, with the same beds you have. I just put an old piece of carpet down first (on the ground), then pond plastic that fits all the way up to the top garden bed edge, slit some irrigation pipe to clip the plastic into the top garden bed edge. I use aggi pipe down the bottom, join it to a solid pipe for vertical water pipe. I use gravel instead of sand. Your beds Mark, would have a deeper reservoir, then the geotech, overflow etc like Celia does. Our overflow pipe was sealed with a black waterproof silicon type product. I hope whenever you redo one of your raised beds now, you convert to a wicking bed.

[@Taking_Back_Thyme]

First time seeing an IBC used for a garden bed. Brilliant!

[@BOVANATOR]

I love the intro music... I wonder how many people recognized it as an ode to the Little River Band! Love it!

[@GamerGoop]

You are one of the only channels I watch for gardening ideas!

[@hbrws813]

Wow! I had never thought about using an IBC container like this!

[@martinswartout6215]

Save the bottles (and caps) from the better drinks, punch holes in the bottles, and it will serve as an empty reservoir just as your "Ag Pipe", cover with your fabric to further separate the growing medium from the sand / water storage. Lay the fabric so that there are folds down to the near bottom, allowing roots to grow deep and allow grow medium to reach down to wick up the water.

[@lscott3540]

I am doing wicking beds in Kentucky USA and it is not because of dry weather. I am doing the wicking beds because they take the guess work out of watering. With good overflow drains you don’t have to worry that your plants are getting too much or too little water. Love your videos!

[@vginnmusa3128]

I've used livestock supplement tubs. I put coiled perforated 3-4" drain pipe for my reservoir, cover w geofabric THEN put sand in all nooks & crannies to make sure it sits in the reservoir. I then add my growing media (peat if have it, compost, soil, etc). Sand is great at wicking water. I have 2 small lime trees in the tubs and rarely need to water them. Am in a high desert in USA. Summers are 110 degrees F, winters about 25-30 degrees F. Can also make wicking bases for cloth pots...see Rob Bob for how he does it.

[@veganwinter]

This was great. Wonderful info. Thanks to you both. You are such a gentleman Mark and you give me faith in humanity.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed it! I also have faith in humanity and I appreciate your kind feedback. Cheers :)

[@traryvery8851]

These are an excellent idea, particularly in dry summer locations where raised beds can dry out quickly. We have had very good results and saved time watering once plants are established. Very good to draw attention to this method. We have used an old metal water tank cut in half and resting on its tank stand for 5+ years to make a waist high wicking bed which is very easy to tend.

[@samanthabugat20]

I really like using raised beds for a few reasons. They are cost effective . Have a drainage hole at the base . I also drill extra holes in the base and sides for drainage. My base is quinkan 30cm dents , then compost and top soil . Everything grows well and is a good height for your back . Thanks for the video , was really interesting to watch .

[@michaelpipkins4546]

Have 6 IBCs (12 planters). Half are wicking beds. Also have an IBC for a tank used for my NFT rain gutters that I learned from Hoocho. Love them all.

[@sunnyjones682]

Just bought an ibc to do this with the my young fruit trees. I spent $80 usd on the ibc tote, $60 for casters ;-) $5 for 4 pavers and I was quoted $75 for a load of compost delivered. Think I’ll put a couple pvc elbows and pipe to make an overflow. I’ll add perlite to lighten the dirt, I can’t wait to get it put together!

[@sunnyjones682]

Also I wanted to add consider using spray painted pool noodles from the dollar store.

[@OnceUponATexasGarden]

Such great information and explained very clearly. I’m going to give this a try in a smaller scale. Love the vibe of the entire garden…beautiful, lush and peaceful! Thanks to both of you!

[@vk4vsp]

If you want to do it on a smaller scale, those blue plastic 44 gallon drums are perfect. They're small enough that you can still move them around if need be, but big enough to grow decent sized plants in them.

[@darlenepreston525]

Licking,Missouri-USA.... totally awesome thanks- more like this please.🌻

[@anthonycoffee7683]

I shred the paper also. It gives it a head start and roots can grow through it faster.

[@ColetteJakobi]

Fabulous idea. I got so many ideas for my veggie patch from Celia. Love the wire baskets over the lettuces. Thanks guys. Cheers from Bundaberg.