Re: SFG wicking boxes

boffer 2/1/2011, 1:11 pm

Do the pictures on the first page of this thread help? I can go digging for more pics if there is something more specific you're looking for.

miinva 2/1/2011, 1:15 pm

Oh! Duh

It's been so long and I didn't go back, but I surely will! I thought he'd posted them somewhere, because I thought he was where I got the idea when I mentioned it to my husband Smile

jumiclads 2/1/2011, 5:00 pm

There you go "genes", 2 minutes on Google and I turned this up. It may or may not be of any use but I thought I would post it.

http://www.maireid.com/wickingbeds.html

I also found this Youtube video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LaaFLqMlhk

jumiclads 2/1/2011, 5:39 pm

I also found these 3 videos on Youtube which show a wicking bed somewhat like the one boffer has made I think. But anyway it will give you a few ideas that will get you started.

1st Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEMhZt6D4W8

2nd Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHi-p25JDXQ

3rd Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFCQJAwT-nE

boffer 2/1/2011, 6:44 pm

There's a lot of info out there about 'wicking boxes' along the line of Tupperware tubs, five gallon buckets, semi-hydroponics, etc. I'm looking forward to reading more about SFG wicking boxes so I can learn more about some of the specific variables involved. For instance:

best number of baskets
best layout
best basket or other basket options
best basket size
optimum depth of soil and tub
optimum air space between the two
what veggies benefit the most
what veggies don't do well

I got lucky last year, and things worked pretty good. But I don't want to re-invent the wheel. I'm kinda with genes in that I'd like to find more SFG specific experiences, if that's what s/he meant. Thanks jumiclads, there was one pretty good vid in your list that I hadn't seen before.

edit: another type of SFG wicking box
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t5716-experiment-to-deal-with-pure-sand-and-high-water-bills#49172

Beeble 4/3/2011, 3:15 am

Hello everybody.

Boffer, I've been very interested in this thread. I'm new to SFG but have been doing wicking boxes for a while.

My wicking boxes are foam broccoli boxes with gravel in the bottom and a watering tube.

What was the reason why you opted for the double container/wicking basket approach rather than single container with gravel/sand in the bottom?

Was it because you wanted to use SFG boxes you already had and therefore they wouldn't be high enough to have a layer of gravel in the bottom?

Or that you didn't want to bother getting gravel?

Or that you believed that the MM filled basket system was more effective than a layer of gravel at the bottom?

I like it, but would like to know more about your reasons for doing it that way.

By the way plastic plant pots with holes drilled in them would be an alternative to the coffee can/mesh basket idea.

Regards

**camprn** 4/3/2011, 11:53 am

to the SFG Forum!! You did not mention if you had a chance to take a
look at The All New Square Foot Gardening book. If you have not had a
chance to read it, I would encourage you to get a hold of a copy. We
would be happy to help you with any questions you may have. That being said I cannot help you with the wicking boxes, but hopefully someone else will chime in!

Beeble 4/3/2011, 6:16 pm

Hi camprn

Yes I have read the new SFG book. Almost. Haven't finished it yet. Still on the vertical gardens chapter. Will need to wait for my current plants to finish before I can incorporate MM into it. And maybe some of Boffer's ideas. My boxes are on a balcony.

SFG wicking boxes - Page 3 Wickingboxes

boffer 4/7/2011, 7:12 am

Beeble wrote:Boffer, What was the reason why you opted for the double container/wicking basket approach rather than single container with gravel/sand in the bottom?

My design was based on the Rubbermaid container wicking boxes that are popular, and it's SFG friendly. That's all there was to it. I don't recall if I was familiar with the gravel concept at the time.

In my climate, I really don't need the advantages they offer. My plan is to use it one more season and then re-purpose the boxes.

Beeble 4/7/2011, 9:35 pm

Ah, thanks Boffer, I guess the term wicking box can mean different things. I was not aware of the Rubbermaid phenomenon.

My inspiration had come from the Wicking box page of the Easy Grow site.

barmstr 4/7/2011, 9:57 pm

You can see the Earthtainers at Earthtainers. They are interesting and easy to build. I have two right now and follow Mel's spacing of vegetables.
Bruce

myhouseofBOYS 4/27/2011, 5:19 pm

I assume so but wanted to clarify you are using Mel's mix in the container right?

Due to the high probablity of moving w/i the next few months I have chosen to get some City Pickers SWC this year http://www.emscogroup.com/assets/catalogs/city-pickers-instructions_gde_v2%5B1%5D.pdf and the extra good thing is they are 2 ft by nearly 2 feet so pretty SFGish as far as just being able to use Mel's spacings, but wanted to clarify that MM will work in it. Do you think the mix needs to be tweeked at all for best wicking?

Beeble 4/28/2011, 2:51 am

I assume you're talking to Bruce, but anyway...I have not yet made any MM. But it's meant to be extremely free draining as in when Mel says it can't be over watered. That sounds like it would work the other way and be a good wicking material.

My mix was some compost mixed with extremely sandy soil and some watery clay. It wicks well but I'm looking forward to using the more fluffy type MM.

I found the earthtainers mentioned above to be quite complicated so I will stick to the simple wicking boxes I'm already using.

myhouseofBOYS 4/28/2011, 9:29 am

Beeble wrote:I assume you're talking to Bruce, but anyway...

I am asking whoever might have any input whatsoever before I go and put Mels' mix and plants in these boxes. Smile

Thanks for replying beeble!!

elliephant 4/28/2011, 12:20 pm

I have a couple of different self-watering set-ups and have found MM to be an excellent wicking material.

Unmutual 5/9/2011, 8:20 am

This thread is awesome! I've been looking for a way to build a single step rainwater harvesting system for the garden. What better way than to have each veggie bed built on top of it's own water barrel. This should solve a few problems for me, though engineering it might take a bit to make it truly automatic. Thank you very much everyone, great stuff!

**camprn** 1/11/2014, 3:34 pm

http://www.resilience.org/stories/2011-05-31/bottom-diy-guide-wicking-beds

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