By Mike Gall
Quadra Island’s demo wicking bed system is up and running. This educational demonstration gardening system explores how small landholders, senior citizens needing raised beds, or renters may experience growing abundant, nutrient dense food within the smallest possible footprint while using the least amount of water. The technique is widely used in Australia and other low rainfall regions or where access to water is restricted during dry summer months. The beds themselves are constructed from reused Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) totes and integrate a passive water storage technique eliminating water evaporation. Plants draw water from their root systems instead of soaking in from surface watering.
The wicking bed system combines several elements of ICAN Action team engagements. First, bulk orders of IBC totes are purchased and transported by the ICAN Water Security Team (presented in a separate activity description) to Quadra Island. These are 1000 liter tanks, constructed of dense plastic and surrounded with a metal frame or cage, they are highly durable and can be moved from location to location. They have been previously used for the transport of food grade products such as olive oil. The tote is split in half to create two wicking beds. Each bed has a layer of 6 inch perforated drainage pipe (the reservoir), a layer of gravel (the wick) followed by 10 to 12 inches of soil (the growing medium). In addition, there is a fill tube and a water level control tube. To charge the system, water is added through the fill tube up to the desired level as determined by the control tube. Because there is a below grade reservoir, the plants have constant access to moisture present in the wicking medium. Filling or charging the system is required only once a week making it one of the most efficient water management systems for small scale gardening.
Several Quadra ICAN teams have the potential to be involved. The ICAN Water Security team secures orders for the IBC totes and distributes to end users at cost. As the system is highly efficient at conserving water, it fits the water security management mandate. The ICAN DIY team would conduct workshops for the build process to establish finished bed systems ready for planting. This element reflects the desire to create self-reliance by reimagining the purpose of existing resources. The ICAN / Quadra Garden Club collaboration would conduct planting and growing seminars as well as seedling starts. The intent is to attract and develop new gardeners who may have never had an opportunity to grow their own food or for existing gardeners looking for more efficient methods. The Quadra ICAN Live Lightly team would provide assistance in securing recycled materials such as perforated pipe and hose fittings. This fits well with the desire to keep discarded materials out of landfill sites and upcycling refuse into productive use.
The initial demonstration and educational project was conducted over the summer of 2021 and was two fold.
First, a single unit demonstration wicking bed was built and installed by an ICAN member at the local garden center. The garden center owner generously donated a space to display the wicking bed until harvest. A Garden Club member who is a local farmer donated and planted the demonstration plants. It was positioned at the entrance /exit maximizing potential visibility. The system was labelled complete with a full mechanical description of how it was built and how it operated. There were several plantings with a focus on food production.
The system was promoted heavily in local periodicals at no cost and on social media including links on construction technique.
The second system was a double wicking bed installed at our local seniors residence. These beds were more decorative to fit in with the construction of the other beds. The additional building materials were donated to the seniors residence and an ICAN member donated his time for the building. The seniors residence was a brand new facility with many visitors and high visibility in the community. Part of the seniors project was the installation of a fresh produce garden space to be used by the seniors for growing some of their own food. There were 15 standard raised garden beds as well as the double wicking bed system. This acted as a direct comparison for observers and participants to compare the efficiency and benefits.
The ICAN Wicking Bed system was a proof of concept experimental project proving the techniques suitability to our environment and conducted over the summer of 2021. As such, a total of 4 beds were built at a total cost of approx. $500. Each tote was $200. Soil, plumbing fixtures and associated hardware came to another $100. Each bed took approx. 5 hours worth of labour for a total of 20 hours. As the performance of the system was unknown and could not be guaranteed, all elements were donated so no fundraising was required. The double wicking bed at the Seniors residence is now a permanent fixture. The garden center demonstration bed has been retrieved by an ICAN member to be used in the future for another ICAN project at a different suitable location.
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