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A wicking bed is an innovative and efficient way to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers, especially in hot or dry conditions. By creating a self-watering system, you’ll conserve water, encourage healthy root growth, and enjoy a thriving garden.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
Find a location in your garden that gets 6–8 hours of sunlight each day. This will ensure your plants get enough light to thrive. If the ground is uneven, level it by digging or adding soil to create a flat base for your raised garden bed. Construct the frame and then check that it’s level before moving on to the next step.
Line the inside of the garden bed with pond liner or a heavy-duty plastic sheet. Ensure it covers the entire base and sides, with a bit of an overhang that you’ll use to secure later. This will create a waterproof reservoir at the base of the bed, which is essential for the wicking process.
Next, prepare the agi pipe, which will distribute water across the base of the wicking bed. Measure your agi pipe to fit the length of the bed, then lay it along the bottom. Attach a vertical PVC pipe to this using a PVC pipe elbow joint, so that the pipe extends just above the soil level. This will be used to pour water into the bed once the bed is filled with soil. Cap one end of the agi pipe to ensure the water flows evenly through the pipe system.
Before moving on, it’s a good idea to test the system by pouring water into the PVC pipe. Watch as water flows through the agi pipe and begins to seep out at the base. If everything is working well, you’re ready to add drainage gravel.
Cover the agi pipe with a layer of drainage gravel, filling the bottom of the garden bed up to about 300mm below the top edge. The gravel forms the foundation of your water reservoir and ensures even water distribution across the base of your garden bed.
To prevent your wicking bed from becoming waterlogged, you’ll need an overflow outlet. Drill a hole at the top of the drainage gravel layer and screw in a drainage pipe. This allows any excess water to flow out of the bed, keeping your plants healthy and preventing oversaturation.
Lay a sheet of geo-fabric over the drainage gravel. This fabric acts as a barrier to prevent soil from mixing with the gravel, which keeps your reservoir clean while still allowing water to move up into the soil.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
