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

In this video, we turn a simple IBC into a self-watering wicking bed perfect for any gardener wanting to save water, save money and grow big crops of healthy vegetables!

0:00 Introduction
1:45 What is an IBC?
2:20 Where to get an IBC?
2:50 Wicking bed advantages
4:40 Cost of making/buying IBC wicking bed
5:45 Materials needed to make a wicking bed
8:33 Water reservoir
10:56 Fitting the geofabric
11:39 Layering organic materials to make the growing medium
19:40 Mulching the bed
20:17 Securing the Inlet Pipe
21:03 Watering the wicking bed
22:52 Final tips and summary
25:03 Conclusion

For Australian freeze dryer purchase info, use the link above and contact Harvest Right directly.

Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland, Australia, about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). I started Self Sufficient Me in 2011 as a blog website project where I document and write about backyard food growing, self-sufficiency, and urban farming in general. I love sharing my foodie and DIY adventures online, so come along with me and let's get into it! Cheers, Mark :)

*Disclaimer: Some links to products in this description and comments sections are affiliated, meaning I receive a small commission if you follow these links and then purchase an item. I will always declare in a video if the video is sponsored, and since starting my channel in 2011, I have yet to do a sponsored video.

#vegetables #gardening #selfwatering

[aaronhopkins]

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 👍

[whobee]

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 YouTube 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!

[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.

[marilynturcotte]

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.

[betterlivingonabudget]

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

[dannyfrommyceswickfarm]

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

[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

[bradjolliffe]

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

[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 YouTube 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!

[theSam]

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.

[rachalnocchi]

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

[_Timo]

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.

[crazychickenladyhomestead]

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!

[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.

[denisehawkins]

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... 💞

[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

[BeeKayy]

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 🌾⭐

[C-gv]

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

[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