container Wicking beds

[Momba]

I built two self watering (wicking beds) this year and planted peppers. They are way out performing my expectations. Anyone else using the method?
The pic was from June. I'll post a current pic shortly.

 

[Momba]

As of today, 9/17/24. And the very unseasonal weather here in WI is helping with the peppers ripen. We're expecting another five days of temperature in the 80s.

 

[Marturo]

 

[NJChilehead]

Hey Momba, looking good! Welcome to the forum! I've never tried wicking beds-how did you put them together?

 

[Momba]

Well, the wood frame is pretty straight forward, 4x4s for legs, 1x6" fence pickets for the sides and 2x4s to support the dirt. for the wicking I used about 12' of 4" plastic drain tile tubing, covered with sand. Then about 12" of raised bedding soil. The whole thing is lined with a heavy plastic to hold the water. The trick to eliminate roots rot is the put in a drain so the tubing only holds about 3" of water. I found the plans I used on Utube, there's a number of videos about wicking planters.