Is the timber for insulation or aesthetics (or both)?
I tried a similar thing a few years ago, admittedly in a smaller scale, but found that the plastic heated up in the sun in summer and dried the bed out too quickly.
Rabbitz wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2019 7:12 am
They look the goods.
Is the timber for insulation or aesthetics (or both)?
I tried a similar thing a few years ago, admittedly in a smaller scale, but found that the plastic heated up in the sun in summer and dried the bed out too quickly.
Timber is to protect the plastic against the sun and aesthetics, but you are right in saying it we'll help prevent the soil warming/drying up so much in summer. I am hoping the reservoir of water in the bottom will wick up into the root zone via capillary action and help prevent drying out.
Been thinking of trying wicking beds myself, plenty of IBCs around these days, they should do the job if everything I have read about them is to go by. You didn't put in a water filling tube, the ones I have seen have a piece of pvc pipe down one corner to the bottom to add your water through ?
At least the other have the decency to include a duck in their photos, you, a bloody horse.
Rabbitz wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2019 9:07 am
If, as Camel seems to suggest, it isn't a filling hose, what is the poly pipe for?
Drainage.
The intention is that I will continue to use sprinklers or hoses as required to keep the water topped up. Water will infiltrate through the soil into the reservoir, and will pass through the Geofabric, scoria, shadecloth then into the poly pipe underdrainage.
The water reservoir in the IBC will fill up to the level of the poly pipe outlet through the wall then start discharging to maintain that level.
Marcus, they look awesome and as Camel has said there be plenty IBS around to work with. I will definitely have to have a go at a couple for fresh veggie's
Do you have any update pics and how did you fair against the links?
