If you’re struggling to figure out how to irrigate your raised beds, you may want to consider a unique solution that requires minimal watering. Green Thumb Nursery in Russellville, Arkansas has developed a system for setting up raised beds that requires little to no watering, even during peak times of the year. Tammy Jansen, the owner of Green Thumb Nursery and a retired school teacher, has implemented this system in her own garden and has seen impressive results.
The first step in this system is to prepare the raised beds by building four by eight beds and leveling them to ensure that all the material inside is the same. The beds are then lined with a six or eight mil plastic to create a wet reservoir that will hold rainwater or water to feed the plants. River rock is then added to the bottom of the bed to create a void between the space for the water to create a reservoir. The rock also holds the dirt up so that when the dirt is added, it doesn’t sink down into the water. An overflow pipe is added to ensure that the water level does not exceed 12 inches and to prevent root rot or other diseases that can occur from water sitting stagnant in the bed.
Key Takeaways
- Green Thumb Nursery in Russellville, Arkansas has developed a unique system for setting up raised beds that requires minimal watering.
- The system involves lining the beds with plastic, filling the bottom with river rock, and adding an overflow pipe to prevent root rot and other diseases.
- This system has been implemented in Tammy Jansen’s own garden and has resulted in healthier, more productive plants.
Preparation of Raised Beds
To prepare a raised bed for irrigation, the first step is to build a four by eight bed and level it. The bed should be lined with six to eight mil plastic to create a wet reservoir that holds rainwater or water to feed the plants. The plastic also creates a barrier between treated wood and the soil.
The next step is to fill the bottom of the bed with river rock, which is rounded and won’t puncture the plastic. The rock creates a void between the space for the water to create a reservoir. It also holds the dirt up so that when the dirt is added, it doesn’t sink down into the water. The recommended depth for the rock is about 12 inches.
An overflow pipe should be added to prevent water from overflowing the bed. The pipe is drilled into the plastic and sits on top of the rock. The pipe should be hammered in tightly to prevent water from seeping out around the edges.
A corrugated three or four-inch sewer pipe with holes is added to deliver water to the bed if it hasn’t rained and the plants need to be watered. The pipe is placed in the bed and the water shoots out and fills up the bottom bed.
By following these steps, the raised bed will have a consistent watering system that will result in healthier plants and more produce.
Installation of Plastic Liner
To set up a raised bed irrigation system that requires little to no watering, a plastic liner is necessary. The liner is used to create a wet reservoir that will hold rainwater or water to feed the plants. It is recommended to use a 6 or 8 mil plastic that is strong and won’t tear over time. The liner is stapled to the top of the bed and creates a barrier between the treated wood and the dirt.
Before filling the bed with soil, it is important to fill the bottom with rocks. River rocks are recommended as they are rounded and won’t tear the plastic. The rocks create a void between the space for the water to create a reservoir. The rock also holds the dirt up so that when it is added, it doesn’t sink down into the water. It is recommended to fill the bed with 12 inches of rock and 12 inches of dirt.
To prevent overflow, an overflow pipe is installed at the top of the reservoir. The pipe is made of PVC and is drilled into the plastic. A very tiny hole is made to keep it tight around the pipe so that it doesn’t seep out around the edges. The overflow pipe is essential in case of heavy rain or if the water hose is left running. It prevents the water from reaching the top of the bed and causing root rot or other diseases.
Another important component of the raised bed irrigation system is the corrugated sewer pipe. This pipe is used to deliver water to the reservoir manually if needed. It has holes in it and is placed in the bed before the rock is added. During the summer months when it hasn’t rained, the pipe can be used to fill the reservoir with water. It is not necessary to make the pipe the length of the bed as the water will automatically push through and fill up the entire bed.
Using these components, it is possible to create a raised bed irrigation system that requires little to no watering and produces healthier, more abundant plants.
Filling the Beds with Rocks
To set up a unique raised bed vegetable watering system, the first step is to fill the bottom of the bed with rocks. Tammy Jansen, the owner of Green Thumb Nursery, recommends using river rock, which is rounded and won’t puncture a hole in the plastic lining. The rocks create a void between the space for the water to hold rainwater or water to feed the plants. The depth of the rock should be about 12 inches, which creates a reservoir for the water to sit in.
Additionally, the rocks hold the dirt up so that it doesn’t sink down into the water. The water gets in between those rocks to make that reservoir. If the rock is less than 12 inches deep, the bed will require more watering.
The next step is to set up an overflow pipe. The overflow pipe prevents the water from seeping out around the edges of the plastic lining. It is recommended to drill a hole and use PVC pipe for the overflow. The hole should be tiny to keep the pipe tight around the plastic. The overflow pipe sits on top of the rock, and when it rains, the water collects or drains out onto the ground.
A corrugated three or four-inch sewer pipe with holes is used to deliver water to the bed if it hasn’t rained in the summer and the plants need to be watered. The pipe is only necessary if the bed needs to be filled manually. The water shoots out and fills up the bottom bed. The length of the pipe doesn’t matter because the water will automatically push the water all the way down and fill up the bed.
Installation of Overflow Pipe
To set up a wicking bed, the first step is to build a raised bed and level it. Then, line the bed with plastic to create a wet reservoir that will hold rainwater or water to feed the plants. Use a six or eight mil plastic that is strong enough and won’t tear over time. Staple the plastic to the top of the bed to create a barrier between the treated wood and the dirt.
Next, fill the bottom of the bed with river rock, which is a rounded rock that won’t puncture a hole in the plastic. The rock creates a void between the space for the water to create a reservoir, and it also holds the dirt up so that it doesn’t sink down on the water. Fill the bed with about 12 inches of rock, and then add 12 inches of dirt.
To prevent overfilling, install an overflow pipe at the top of the reservoir. Drill a hole in the plastic and insert a PVC pipe that goes about a third or half of the way across the bed. Make a very tiny tear in the plastic and hammer the pipe in tightly to prevent seepage. The overflow pipe will allow water to drain out onto the ground when the reservoir is full.
If you need to manually fill the bed with water, use a corrugated three or four-inch sewer pipe with holes in it. Insert the pipe into the bed and pour water down it to fill the reservoir. This pipe is only necessary if you need to fill the bed manually and not collect rainwater.
Installation of Corrugated Pipe
To set up a wicking bed irrigation system, the first step is to build a four by eight raised bed and level it to ensure that the material on the inside is even. The bed should be lined with a strong six or eight mil plastic to create a wet reservoir that can hold rainwater or water to feed the plants. The plastic also acts as a barrier between the treated wood and the dirt and prevents chemicals from the wood from leaching into the soil.
Next, the bottom of the bed should be filled with river rock to create a void between the space for the water to flow and hold the dirt up. The river rock should be about 12 inches deep, and it is essential to use rounded rocks to prevent tearing of the plastic. The rock also helps to create a harder surface, and the water gets in between the rocks to make the reservoir.
An overflow pipe should be installed at the top of the reservoir to prevent water from seeping out around the edges and causing root rot or other diseases. The overflow pipe is made of PVC and drilled about a third or half of the way across the bed. A tiny hole is made in the plastic to fit the pipe tightly and prevent seepage. When the water level reaches the overflow pipe, it starts to seep out onto the ground.
To deliver water to the bed, a corrugated three or four-inch sewer pipe with holes is used. The pipe is only necessary if the bed needs to be filled manually during the summer when it has not rained. The water hose is placed in the pipe, and the water shoots out and fills up the bottom bed. The pipe is not required to be the length of the bed, and it can be run halfway as it works just as well.
Process of Watering
The unique raised bed vegetable watering system involves setting up raised beds in a way that requires little to no watering, even during peak times of the year. The process involves creating a wet reservoir that holds rainwater or water to feed the plants.
To set up the system, four by eight beds are built and leveled, and then lined with six or eight mil plastic to create a barrier between treated wood and the soil. River rocks are then added to the bottom of the bed to create a void for the water to flow through. The rocks also hold up the soil, preventing it from sinking into the water.
The reservoir is created by filling the bed with 12 inches of rocks, followed by 12 inches of soil. An overflow pipe is installed at the top of the reservoir to prevent water from seeping out around the edges. The pipe is made of PVC and only needs to be installed about a third or half of the way across the bed.
A corrugated three or four-inch sewer pipe with holes is also installed in the bed. This pipe is used to manually fill the reservoir with water during dry periods when rainwater is not sufficient.
The system requires little maintenance and provides consistent watering, resulting in healthier plants that produce more. The system has been tested and proven successful, with the owner of Green Thumb Nursery having 25 of these raised beds at home.
Impact of Wicking Bed on Plant Health
Wicking beds are an innovative way to irrigate raised garden beds. By creating a wet reservoir that holds rainwater or water to feed the plants, wicking beds provide a consistent source of water for plants. Tammy Jansen, the owner of Green Thumb Nursery, has been using wicking beds in her own garden for the past six or seven years. She has noticed that her plants are healthier and produce more because of the non-stop watering.
The wicking bed system involves lining the bed with plastic, filling the bottom with river rock, and adding an overflow pipe to prevent root rot or other diseases caused by stagnant water. The corrugated sewer pipe is added to deliver water to the reservoir if there is a lack of rainwater.
The use of wicking beds has a positive impact on plant health due to the consistent watering. The plants are more lush and produce more because they are receiving the necessary amount of water. Additionally, wicking beds require little to no watering during peak times of the year, making them a low-maintenance option for gardeners.
Overall, wicking beds are a game-changer for raised bed gardening. They provide a reliable source of water for plants and promote healthy growth and high yields.
