Wicking bed growers
This group is dedicated to those who are interested and growing in wicking beds. Wicking beds in conjunction with aquaponics can enable us to grow just about every crop that cannot be grown in standard aquaponics. Lets discuss deign, operation and whatever aspect of wicking bed growing you can think of.
Larry Yonashiro
I haven't started yet, but intended to. If not too much trouble, can you describe your basic design? Mahalo Chris.
May 3, 2012
Sylvia Bernstein
SO great that you have started this group, Chris! I've been wondering about wicking beds in hybrid system designs. Now we can all benefit from your experience. Thanks!
May 3, 2012
Rob Nash
im stoked you started this group! i am ready to begin building some wicking beds.
thanks Chris
May 3, 2012
Chris Smith
I harvested a barrel today. It yielded 8 pounds of sweet carrots. I believe the barrel with colorful carrots pictured above yielded much more as they were bigger carrots.
There is a volunteer chard plant in the mix.
May 7, 2012
Larry Yonashiro
OK, that's it. I'm putting one of these in! Nice harvest. I'm assuming the el's in the overflow pipes are to adjust the water level in the reservoirs? Thanks for the pics!
May 7, 2012
Chris Smith
Yes Larry, I can adjust the reservoir level using the triple 90s.
May 7, 2012
charles petterson
Inches of rock for the reservoir and nine inches
Of growing bed as long as the water is kept
At the weedmat level?
May 8, 2012
Chris Smith
Hey Charlie hope all is well on Kauai. Yes, I think wicking bed should work with 9 inches of media and 3 inches of reservoir. The water will be wicked out quick with mature plants and hot days. With 9 inches of media you will have to grow crops that do not have to send roots down below 9 inches. If you look closely at the picture below of the harvested carrots you will see that the longer ones grew through the mat and broke off there when harvested.
May 9, 2012