Self Wicking Container Garden Build

A complete how to for building self wicking beds from 55 gallon plastic barrels! This is the same method used by ‪@gardeningwithleon2816‬ so be sure to check his channel out! Sustane: amzn.to/3fu2thm Sea Mineral: amzn.to/2UQTkaE Brickyard Tomato Seeds: shrsl.com/2c6uy Help Support Our Small Business: greenacrehomestead.com
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We’re a small family who moved out of the city in 2015 and set off on a new journey to build a homestead from scratch on one acre out in the country of the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina. We handcraft many items and goods that are for sale on our website and locally at select small businesses. Your support is greatly appreciated by all of us!
#gardening #wickingbed #greenacrehomestead
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[@duryaya]

The easiest and cheaper method ive seen so far 👍🏾

[@SandraLewisfocus1]

Suggestion. Put container in place , fill pipe and bottles with water so we can see how it fills up. Then add soil.

[@vanissaberg5824]

The empty jugs might float up without the soil holding them down. But you could put a couple of rocks in them to run your test fill.

[@philsla]

A word of advice to newbies to this system. You will probably have to top water your plants for a shot while to make sure they are getting moisture since the root system has not gone deep enough to get moisture. If you happen to have soil that is great at wicking, you may not need to.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Exactly this! I forgot to mention it in the video. Thanks!

[@FXNorm]

The water wicks up to the roots.

[@parsonroy]

I use a hot (cheap) electric soldering iron to punch the holes into the bottles or jugs. It is faster than drilling and leaves a small ring of plastic around the hole to strengthen the edges. It also will not split or crack the containers as the drill sometimes will.

[@hagerty268]

you want the top 1-2 inches of the jugs to always hole air to give air to the roots so drill top holes down from the top 1-2 inches also filling all the jugs when you build saves a LOT of time filling from the pipe...nice video

[@aleciamcs4960]

Awesome for a renter who needs to move garden as necessary

[@MsPeachesandcream]

A tip I wished I'd done is drill your hole in the tub or bucket on the same side as your pipe so you're not trying to look behind it to see if the water is running out! Happy Gardening.

[@lechatbotte.]

Yes it’s bung, going back to the days of old wooden barrels when they drove in either wooden bungs or rubber ones to plug the holes. We call them stoppers. Used for casks of wine as well. That’s one holey job lol. Pull the lower leaves bury the stem to the next set. The stem will produce roots making the plant stronger.

[@kipweber1077]

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[@LLjean-qz7sb]

If you take a broom stick and pack the soil down around the jugs, it will fill in all the air spaces between the jugs and wick faster. Happy gardening and God Bless!

[@scherylgray2181]

Please keep us updated on your plants process. I’m wicking in my garden as well, it’s a choir to start but rewarding! I love gardening with Leon!

[@rebeccalgray7292]

This is a great video! I couldn't find the cattle mineral tubs, and using the "muck" buckets or the square containers is expensive. I love Leon. He reminds me of my grandpa. Leon actually uses empty milk jugs, 6" French drain pipe, empty soda cans, empty coffee cans, you name it. He uses landscape fabric to keep the soil from plugging the system up. He has a business of selling hoop houses that are sturdy enough to withstand Oklahoma (tornado alley) weather. They are not real expensive either. He's in Oklahoma close to the Texas border. His number and address are on his videos. The ideas Sam has here are really great. This is a super good video, THANK YOU! The barrels solved my problem on where to get big buckets. I live near some county sites that sell mulch, so I plan to start a big pile of aged mulch, aged manure, peat and some perlite. I'll try to build a big fertile pile of potting soil. Those barrels are going to take a lot!!

[@BeSmarterToday]

Five years ago I planted some flowering plants, and everyone of them survived! Now they are flowering trees! Keep up the terrific work!

[@DaSarcasticNorthernman]

I've seen a few channels doing these containers this year. Sam and Angela, please give us your opinions about them after the growing season, pros and cons. Thanks, keep up the great work and videos! ~Adz.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Will do! We've got a big variety of gardening methods going on here this year and are interested to see how they all do. :)

[@BonesAndButtons]

Hello. I've been making self wicking containers using Hugleculture methods. I get cheap rubbish bins, drill a hole about 40cm from the base, put twigs and small branches in the base. I use PVC pipe that's wide enough so I can put kitchen scraps down it. I drill a few holes in the pipe so worms can get in. I've composted within the bin, building up layers, then use good potting mix on the top 1/4. The bins are full of worms and the plants thrive. It's a self watering, self feeding system.

[@racheldodge7345]

Thank you guys for the! I live in a small apartment and my sister just gave me 2 tomato plants for my birthday today. This is perfect and seems fairly easy. Can’t wait to get started. This video has been a blessing to me. Thank you.

[@elaine4415]

Enjoy watching you guys

[@sandravazquez5420]

Thank you so much. I live in an apartment, so this is perfect for me.

[@inglis7086]

this is great - looking forward to it being successful for you

[@Hollybank5]

Wow 😳. Love the process. Can’t wait to see the tomatoes 🍅 grow !!!

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Thanks!

[@alicefrolio1929]

Thank you for all the information now I understand how to make wicking containers

[@justmyopinion5234]

Put rope handles on them. Much easier to move around

[@danielleterry180]

Glad you showed these barrels as I have had a very hard time finding large round planting containers for my potatos

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Glad I could help

[@cleopatra4473]

Don't forget to water them in for a week or two until the roots grow down towards the moist soil. I watch Leon too. Great info.

[@mumpygumboo8554]

I've used a skil saw to cut the barrels with. Quick and clean. Zing!

[@sammeme7452]

Great video!

[@haydenuk02]

Excellent work and thanks for the awesome content

[@TwoFamilyHomestead]

LOVE this idea - now to see if we can duplicate !!

[@Tankbasher10]

Thanks for the advice! Great to hear scripture from you: Love your neighbour as yourself. Leviticus 19:18 Thanks again and God bless!!

[@glennanderson8783]

I don't know how I missed this video but I did. I am in the process of putting together some wicking containers right now even as we speak. Funny thing, I got the idea from a neighbor who referred me to gardening with Leon's channel and now here we are. I should have about 12 of these when I get around to finishing them all. One of these days I will have to share with you how I came across your channel a long time ago you might get a real kick out of it. Thumbs up Sam and lets hope the thumb is green.

[@WrestlingFan.1234]

Brilliant video

[@charlotteforrester3118]

Looks good! Love that idea!

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Thanks!

[@DLRyoung]

Just went over and checked out that channel, that fella sure is smart. I understand how it all works now. He made it very clear. You didn’t use garden fabric like he did or tubes that fill with water. But I understand now and. Think you will have a great garden! Thanks for sharing!

[@OhItsJustMe2]

You do not need to use the fabric when using jugs... You do however, need to use the fabric when using the hose because otherwise the hose will fill with soil. Its been a long time since I watched Leon's videos but Im sure he explained that in at least one of them. Yes, he knows his gardening.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

So glad you did! He's a wealth of knowledge and I just enjoy listening to hearing him talk! I think of him like my gardening grandfather... if I had one that did that. LOL He's done several styles and types for giving water storage, so we did one type of them. Def. worth checking them out if you're interested in building a bed. He's done all sorts!

[@OhItsJustMe2]

@@GreenAcreHomestead Leon is great at container gardening but my friend Donald (webcajun ) was the absolute best in ground gardener. I miss that man so much.

[@elizabethhendriks9030]

awesome!

[@Electronzap]

That is a lot of barrels lol. That is a really good idea. It's easy to get the top of the soil wet and not realize that most of it just evaporates.

[@tonygough8713]

Enjoyed the video, thank you.

[@djterry1218]

Thank you for the instructions.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

You are welcome! Thanks

[@alicefrolio1929]

You explained how to do this so easy

[@kkman30kVw]

Very worthwhile video, as it shows important steps in this system. My concern was how water goes from the pipe-attached jug to all the other jugs in the barrel. Although the holes drilled in the jugs are small and the water also has to pass through some soil, your video displays that it does work -- water finally comes out the overflow holes. It takes time to fill, and a water hose probably best. Thanks.

[@No1DataMan]

That was my very first thought after he put the pipe in the one bottle and then immediately started putting soil in ..... how does the water get to the other bottles.... typically you would link them with a rubber tubing of some sort.

[@christinebeames2311]

Genius

[@wendyburston3132]

Nice video. For more support for your plant you can plant it deep, right up to the top leaves. That increases your root system. Feels kinda good giving info instead of taking it all the time. God bless 😊

[@gwencalloway4808]

Nice video, thanks for sharing

[@johnbutler307]

Thanks for great video

[@helensmith9265]

Love this idea. Thanks for a great video! I will try this on a small scale. 16:04

[@iplantreez1344]

Awesome video brotha! Imma give it a try in the spring

[@deannaoverstreet4146]

Looking good!

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Thanks!

[@clydedecker765]

Good job Sam. Don't forget to prune them a lot. forces the roots down and the tomatoes to the top.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Will do, thanks for that tip!

[@user-zp8qf2kl1t]

Супер дружище.Надо попробовать так же высаживать .Хорошие идеи подаёш людям.😄

[@robertturnbull5472]

great how to ... thanks

[@dylangriffith6662]

Great build. But what i added to mine was landscape fabric ontop of drilled containers with a square hole with compost reaching the very bottom. It wicks water much better but the only negative is it wont hold as much water

[@osorios007]

great video

[@lisapointer4350]

Great video... be very interested to see what your views are about this system in the future

[@mlm7598]

Good job! We have been doing the same type of thing for three or so years now for our tomato plants and it is fantastic.....we live in a very wet climate so we rarely need to water them and were able to go on vacation and come home and the plants had grown at least 18" LOL It seems crazy but it's true. You could almost watch them grow. We had so many tomatoes it was crazy. We did both slicing and cherry tomatoes and we had an abundance. We have tried no other plants as of yet because we are nutty about tomatoes. Good luck and I am anxious to see how it does for you. I am betting you are going to love it! So glad you are trying this route as well. Blessings

[@MsPeachesandcream]

I grow tomatoes, cucumbers and banana peppers. They all do well.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

This is great to hear! I've got a few other planted since this video was shot.. two other tomato containers with a Tachi and Summer Pick variety. Then two containers with watermelon in them. The watermelons will be moved outside for sure, but they're sitting in the greenhouse for now. Plans are to also do some carrots, maybe potatoes, and such in them. The bottleneck is getting a hold on containers for them right now. We don't drink any soft drinks or juices here so we've been relying on others to give us their trash. LOLOL

[@mlm7598]

​@@GreenAcreHomestead I used starbucks empty large clear cups turning them upside down and drilling holes in them and that worked or you could use perforated leech line for septics as they have slits in them that the water flows into. So many things you could use.......just find what works for you and go for it. You've got a great start! It is amazing how much less time you really need to tend to the watering process. Best of luck.......excited to watch your progress!

[@Daniel-em2sq]

you explained that so easy and hope I can buy those same tomatoes Brick in Australia.

[@onedazinn998]

I always enjoy your videos :) I enjoyed watching Leon's original wicking system, but I want to add that if you care about growing organic and not leeching the plastic BPAs into your soil, plants, & food, you can switch from the bottles to wood branches at the bottom of the tubs. Wood absorbs water & holds it longer and the next layer which would be green material to compost (any clippings) or even old straw which again holds water very well. I've planted in the hugelkultur & straw bed systems and you don't have to water much at all. I live in southeastern Ohio and in the hottest months of July and August I watered about 1 time a week, occasionally 2 times with a deep soak (if we don't have rain). Granted if you plant in containers (which I am doing this year) you use the same system of hugelkultur on a small scale and add compost friendly layers with a good top half of compost for starting your plants. Toxic plastics leech the most during very hot conditions. Perhaps if Leon's system included food grade inner bottles it might be safer. The blue barrel cut in half is very affordable & food grade. :)

[@BOVANATOR]

I'm getting ready to make these self wicking containers! In the system that you just described, would you wanna put landscaping fabric down on top of the logs to create the water reservoir? I might have to do more research on the system you described. I was also considering making my self wicking tubs from galvanized troughs like some other people have done. Supposedly the leeching of zinc and cadmium is very miniscule, but I still have second thoughts about galvanized

[@onedazinn998]

@@BOVANATOR I wouldn't use the landscape fabric on the logs just fill in over the logs with leaves, compost, soil etc and put the nicest compost on top & mulch matter. you can use the hugelkultur in many simple ways. I would stay away from galvanized steel products as they too will rust eventually - but they do stay nice if they are well coated. Check out Self Sufficient Me for more on raised bed gardening in his steel troughs and using sugar cane mulch on top in Australia.

[@BOVANATOR]

Thankyou for the info!!

[@DaysOfSodaAndLantana]

@@onedazinn998Are the drink bottles not food grade? They hold something we drink, and I am sure they experience hot conditions during shipping. However, the use of plastics in all of the self-watering containers I have seen or tried to think of in my head does bother me. But I can NOT figure out how to do them cheaply and easily with only wood and glass. Any ideas? What containers did you plant in, if I may inquire?

[@onedazinn998]

@@DaysOfSodaAndLantana I have planted in plastic tubs that are rated food grade safe but they are heavier than the cheap clear bottles that are not thick enough to last. Plastics are not ideal. But in a survival situation I'd grow in anything and everything. I'll probably only go to the trouble of raised beds if I can't win over the rats and moles I have in my land...they are pests for sure. I've tried the canvas/burlap bags and they work for about 2 seasons before ripping but nothing chewed through them and they grew "ok". I think if I build more raised long term beds they will be cedar or even rock with hugelkultur layers. The most fertile ground I've had was growing over rotting tree stumps lol. Hope that helps.

[@cleocleo9374]

Tk you. Can nit find buckets but can find those water buckets. Tk uuuuuu

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

That's an interesting method.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Seemed interesting, so we're giving it a go! -A

[@keales9564]

Thank you for your video, how do you know when to fill it up again? Also, how does all the other bottles get filled with the potting soil?

[@toddsherfey6236]

Good videos. God speed

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Thanks 👍

[@organiccraftworks3153]

We like how you think sir

[@tommycoates1978]

Circular saw works fast with no jerking.

[@EngTecher]

I just completed a wickering tub yesterday with one food grade Kikkoman soy sauce 55 gallon drum, same as yours.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Rock on!

[@tiggercares]

I think you forgot to put the weed barrier in there before the dirt. The dirt is going to clog the holes in your bottles. the weed barrier keeps the dirt out of the water bottles, you tuck the weed barrier down along side of the jugs so the water has some contact with the dirt to keep it moist for the roots to get to it.

[@leahr.2620]

I thought so too but, I went and watched Leon's video and he doesn't use fabric. I think maybe he did at one time😕

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Leon says no barrier is needed when using jugs vs. corrugated pipe for the sub-soil reservoir. I'm going by his instructions. 😎

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

He's done several types from what I've seen. Mostly showing people how to make containers that work from things they can find wherever they are. One of the many cool things about him! :)

[@tiggercares]

@@GreenAcreHomestead I just figured the holes would get clogged with the dirt. but yea I did the ones where he used weed barrier this is my first time doing it and I have potatoes in mine and they are huge. you can check out my pics on face book "Linda Walker" and then you will see.

[@FTDrake]

@@GreenAcreHomestead don't forget the fertilizer every time you water. I use 5gal buckets to mix it up and then a drill powered pump ($16) todo the watering. pull the buckets around in my cart. You can find used buckets with a bunghole and stopper in the lids to keep everything from sloshing out. Only need one of those lids. Just swap it from bucket to bucket with the regular lids. When you go whole hog into this system, you get one of those big white framed fluid tanks like Leon has.

[@jb8020]

Really cool concept. Great presentation. You should be a utuber

[@gelwood99]

💞

[@ssg8051]

This looks like a cool approach to gardening, so thanks for sharing it, and looking forward to updates on it. May I ask how you know when to refill these containers with water? Cheers, Ardith

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

I just top them off every day or so via the white pipe until the overflow starts dripping. Leon recommends filling the water with a fertilizer/plant food and water mixture. We have some plant food that mixes into water at 1 tablespoon per gallon that I've been adding to them. So far, the plants haven't gone through more than 1/4 gallon in a day, but they are still small.

[@ssg8051]

@@GreenAcreHomestead Thank you so much!

[@TechDaddyFr]

I've seen some people put a piece of foam in the pipe. When the floating foam isn't visible anymore, it means you have to add some water.

[@peggywilson9929]

Time for coffee 🤪❣️

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

😂👍

[@webcrawler3332]

How are you filling up all the jugs if they are not connected to the main one

[@GrandmaGaye]

Lots of blue in your background. You know how to take advantage of a good deal! Keep on keeping on

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

You got that right! LOL They were about $15 each, which was a very good deal for us in this area. Thanks!

[@soupspoon9554]

Thank you, kodos to Leon. Harbor freight has 18 in. x 12 in. 1000 lb. Capacity Hardwood Dolly $13

[@loujeanadams2500]

I drill 2 small holes near the top of the pot, on either side of the fill tube, then using a zip tie, go thru them and around the fill tube and pull tight.. no you will not accidentally knock your tube out of place!

[@BooYahPower]

How’d the container do holding all three of the tomatoes? Do you have a follow up video?

[@gotbacon04]

I have seen the tubs doing great in the background of your videos. Would you mind doing an update on these containers and how easy it is to keep water in them? Also without using the weed cloth what stops the roots from growing into the jugs? Thanks. Keep up the great work.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Absolutely! We'll definitely do one at the time of the tomatoes being done. We're just as interested to see what the roots have done too. :) And at the same time we'll talk about our thoughts overall, etc. too.

[@justmyopinion5234]

Why not a 5 gallon jug in the center with 1/16 holes to wick out of

[@TheWoodHaven]

keep us updated on how often you have to refill with water.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Will do. Thus far, I top it off daily and estimate it uses maybe 1/4 gallon at most, but the plants are still small.

[@lyndabuchholz1216]

I am having troubles getting my head around how the bottles fill up and hold water. I will get it though. I have used containers or PVC pipe on it's side and holes in it and put ground cover over them with a wick going to the bottom of the tub and out on top of the ground cover so it wicks water up and I know the tub has water to wick up. I know the soil will wick the water up too so I need to think on it for awhile.

[@simplyentertaiment5330]

i missed what you said/ what media you poured in ? thanks

[@OhItsJustMe2]

LOL! I actually done that today! However, I used the supplement tubs we get for the cows.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Awesome!!! We can't get those tubs around here, I'd been looking for months, but great minds think alike for sure! :)

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Love it! A few yrs back, I planted 3 tomato, 3 mini cabbage, 5 green bean plants & 1 french marigold. 6 mo veggies in 1 pot. I added fertilizer 1 time mid summer.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Sounds great!

[@tinamariegregory3130]

This is a really good tutorial, fine job Sam ! God bless you all.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@jun1977i]

Guys the soaps are amazing, really nice perfume on the men and apple, really enjoy my shower is like aromatherapy really really good...❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@elisadach4887]

Great idea and system... but far too much plastic for me. I'm going to try to use 1 and 2 ltr milk/cream and 1 ltr broth cartons in grow bags... with holes to allow wicking... similar to an olla method

[@AllNaturalJamaican]

Please give us an update on these 2 years in

[@jackiegardner9128]

💁🌻

[@narutofanz85]

Please pardon my ignorance, I'm a newbie Gardener but wouldn't the shallow depth of soil be bad for say fruit trees, for example a fig plant? The water jugs inside take up so much space vertically. Thank you!

[@TacticalGhost007]

The water jugs he used in this video are too tall for the half-tub. You need at least 12-15 " of potting mix for successful vegetable planting.

[@tkkubasiak349]

When you fill that one container how long does it take to fill all the other containers in your barrel ??

[@mrsrajininathan1990]

12:30 how long did the container took time water to co.e out of holes? Did all the empty containers were filled with water?

[@DuffyF56]

I have constructed SIP Planters constructed of 2X6 Lumber, Pool Liner and 4" perforated pipe (8 feet by 4 feet wide) as well as in 30 Gallon totes. Design from Albopepper.com who also has a KZbin Channel. If you visit the site he has most of his info in the "SIPs" pulldown from the top of his page. You may want to check him and them out. I use Miracle Grow Potting Mix with Vermiculite and Pearlite as well as amendments. It appears the mix you used had some wood chips and pieces which can interrupt the capillary action of the wicking part of your bed. No issue having some of that above the wicking level. I have had great success and good yield. Good luck with yours.

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

Thanks for sharing that resource, we'll go check it out!

[@ajdavis7517]

Can milk jugs be used?

[@peteragapitos9572]

Gardening

[@rubberdc]

The word "BUNG" seems to make you giggle ...why is that Sam?...lol. bung in British English 1. a stopper, esp of cork or rubber, for a cask, piece of laboratory glassware, etc. 2. short for bunghole.

[@cherilnewman6664]

This is our first year to use wicking tubs and noticing that the water that comes out of the drain hole really stinks! Is this Ok, or is there something we need to do to fix this? thanks in advance!

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

It usually means it's too wet. We had problems with too much moisture in our containers last year. Lowering the drain holes to not let it hold as much water helps.

[@willietownsend3547]

Do u put small holes in every jugs or just the one that’s going be filled water?

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

All the jugs you want water to be in -- so all of them in these containers.

[@Tate_865]

So how does water get to all the other jugs besides the one you put the pipe in since you filled all the voids with soil. Shouldn't there be a barrier between soil and jugs so that water fills the reservoir?

[@1cleandude]

Good point I was thinking the same thing! I thought Leon placed some landscaping clothe over his. The first jug will fill quickly then the excess water will have to saturate the soil and bleed into the other bottles! We’re not in Denmark but something smells fishy!😫🙏🏻

[@user-se4fo1bh3z]

thanks so much

[@patriciamontague6035]

I do the same thing,but then lol cans upside down so my pots don't get to heavy.

[@leonannegers7874]

Hey you said they didn't work well I now know why your hole is to far up its sepos to be 1in blow your fill line for the air space

[@leonannegers7874]

So I have a question if ask Leon on his Channel and nothing back so after the year is over do you dump the barrel and start again or do you just keep planning and if you just keep it going how do you replenish the sea salt and chicken poop

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

I saw in one of his videos where he answered a similar question from a commentor. He said that you can do either one: keep the soil and reuse, or scoop out the top layer to re-add the Sustane and Sea Mineral and back fill again. We'll probably do the later so that the new crops get a fresh dose of fertilizers in the soil.

[@leonannegers7874]

Thank you so much you all are doing a great job I'm trying to fig out how to fund a green house right now can't wait for more content

[@crazysquirrel9425]

Drill a 1/2" hole about 2" to 4" above the bottom on a side of a tote. Get a Walmart (blue) carry bag (fabric style). Fill bag with soil mix and a plant. Place in the tote. Fill the tote with water till it runs out the overflow hole. You get the benefit of air pruning and sub irrigation. Fast easy fill too.

[@symoneanthony7458]

Hi can I use an iron drum?

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

If it's clean, I don't see why not.

[@evelynmercado7242]

Can we add mulch to this system?

[@GreenAcreHomestead]

I guess if you want to you can. So long as it's on the top. I wouldn't mix it into the soil any.