The water reservoir in a wicking bed can carry enough water to keep the plants alive for up to several weeks depending on climate season and location.
In ground wicking bed.
In ground wicking beds we have also built one in ground bed.
It s got two main parts.
We have also seen people use stock watering tanks.
However if you are building an in ground wicking bed then the base would be 120mm below ground to ensure that the overflow pipe can still function.
The bottom half is a contained reservoir filled with gravel and water and the top half is filled with soil mulch and plants.
Some people particularly older gardeners don t like to bend down too much so prefer to have their garden beds raised up.
By periodic flooding of the deeper half of the bed mature plant roots get a big drink.
A wicking bed is an excellent technique for growing things in environments where water is scarce.
Milkwood permaculture has pioneered an in ground wicking bed using builder s plastic and a round galvanized culvert ring.
For most wicking beds the base is situated at ground level.