You might want to add that only no overflow outlet is needed in the controlled way of growing under a roof. If these are in a setting where rain can fill up the barrels/wicking bed then a drain IS required!
Holes in the bottom allow all the water to drain out. A hole in the side allows for the container to be self wicking. Less watering needed and less work.
Fantastic design, the closest tutorial I have seen to building the beds as they were intended to be built by Colin Austin. I love that you don't waste space with rocks or sand but I would add that you can only get away with not adding a drainage hole when growing in a greenhouse or at least under a canopy to keep rainwater from flooding and suffocating the bed
I have watched several other videos on making self watering containers. I watched yours twice. Then I went back to another. I had to just turn theirs off. Way too complicated. and this way is so clean and easy. Brilliant! Thank you!
I see you say we don’t need a hole in the side of the tub.. Doesn’t the hole in the side of the tub also help keep the container from getting flooded in heavy rains?
Great Video, One idea I see is to drill a few holes into pvc near bottom 2 inches where it passes into drainage pipe. Reason is the way you have it now, pvc can go all the way to bottom of drainage pipe and prevent water being filled from actually filling container.
Nice adaptation. Although I plan on zip tying my watering pipe to the end of the sock, at the end of the tubing. Adding a notch at the end of the plastic will allow the watering pipe to be vertical. Also, be sure to cut the pipe at an angle so the pipe doesn't lay flat on the bottom. Thanks for sharing.
I use five gallon buckets with a wicking cup in the top container. I just need the water to reach that cup and by putting noodles in I displaced the water and therefore need to use far less water than I would otherwise. Just think of it like a false bottom, but much cheaper!
@@knitra1980 Not sure I understand. The noodles sit in the water, so only water is getting in them. Other than that the design is just like LDSPrepper's old 5 gallon bucket design... does that make sense?
Here’s another way to seal the inside of the whiskey barrels. Take 1 part Namptha (spirit for painting) and 4 parts clear silicone sealant. Mix well in a disposable cup or container and the Namptha breaks down the silicone so that you can spray or brush it on like a paint. When it dries it’s waterproofed. Works in anything. Shies, tents, sheets for leantoos and more. Saw it on UA-cam and it works!
People need to think carefully whether this can be used safely without impacting the environment or your health as it has been listed as a carcinogen so if you use it wear a mask and gloves, some people seal the bottemp of pots with cement obviously it might make larger pots too heavy to move but people have been using it when making their own Ollie's.
I am growing tomatoes in 10 gallon plastic pots. I was watering 2 or 3 times a day. I build a water trough 18 inches x 54 inches x 3.5 inches high. I lined the trough with green house white plastic to make it water tight. I am keeping about an inch of water in each trough so the plants can draw on the watering as needed. The trough can hold a lot more water than the conventional saucers that go under the pot. The white plastic stays cool in the sun, so evaporation is held at a minimum. Most of the construction was done with reclaimed materials, so the only real cost has been the cost of the plastic, 10 ft x 10 ft plastic cost $13.
That works fine in a greenhouse or tunnel garden. But my tomatoes are outside, so I need the hole in the side. So the rain doesn't drown my plants. And a large tote is easier for most of us to pick up in a big box store. Great idea on the water level indicator though.
Self wicking containers are awesome! I've been using them for a couple of years now. I add some lime to my container mix to counteract the acidity of the peat moss.
I have two concerns. will the soil will saturate with water and overwater my tomatoes causing bottom end rot? Also there will be soil all the way to the bottom between the pipe and that bottom soil will be below the water line and will be super saturated, could this cause root rot or be a place for some other root disease to fester?
I also "invented" the wine cork float valve last summer to water a large flower pot. It works really well. PS: I have followed your prepping a long time. I think you used to be in Houston. There is no cure for a gardening addiction. It IS the cure! LOL. 💯
@@dianeblackwood7810 True about Earth box. However I can get 55gal barrels for $10-15. When cut in half that is as cheap as $5 per planter. A similar receptacle for an Earth box is a minimum of twice the price if not more. What can I say, I'm cheap. :)
Not really, just place a narrowed tube for the level indicator. In case of rain, not much water can go in, and in any case, why wouldn't it work outdoor? The outside indicators were made on the side for esthetic purposes.
@@aleksandrabissani567 Not quite. A wicking tub outdoors with no cover will become water logged and anaerobic. The hole in the side is more than an indicator, it permits any excess water to drain out to prevent the water log condition.
This is a great idea for the indicator stick. It will also work on the other tubs to give you an idea of how much water is in the bottom and if you really need to add some "now" or tomorrow. No need to put water in a tub that is almost full overflowing most of the water out the drain tube (on the old style). Thanks!
Excellent idea. Use this simple and inexpensive water level indicator on all your indoor plants so you don't have to worry about over filling and dripping water on your floor.
Thank you. Yeah, the wind was 20-30 mph when I was filming. I had a mic on to help with the noise. You may have noticed how I had the roll up greenhouse side rolled down a bit to minimize the wind but still keep the greenhouse cool.
What year did you start these fruit trees? How big are they now? How many times have you pruned them? Do you prune the roots? How many times? How many Geothermal Greenhouses do you have? Do you have any with vegetables in them in February? Any concerns with the Government & a say over what you can grow or how etc.?
Whiskey barrels look lovely and are practical. I used to put sand in the bottom to cover the pipe too, and the hole. Prefer your method. Thanks for sharing.
There is no air pruning effect in your design laterally or vertically. The side plastic and wicking cancels it. Eventually the tap root may penetrate the plastic and enter the ground soil. I also recommend putting the barrels on a triangle of 2x4s to keep them off the ground. If you put an air pot inside the barrel, you're more likely to achieve the desired combination effect.
Dear Sir, Excellent, Please show and explain on a micro basis , after putting the perforated hose pipe how to provide holes to it so that water comes out
First, thank you for your teaching. Could I use litter bottles in the bottom and put holes in them instead of the drainage hose. I don't need and it's expensive to buy the drainage hose for us small yard gardens. Next, I have the Mittleider nutrients and since I use Earthboxes, and I already have potting mix, should I use both the weekly and the pre-mix each time I pot my containers. Hope this makes sense. Your garden is beautiful. I live in Meridian, Idaho. Again, thank you.
Best replied question was " Are you not worried about the water in the barrel going stagnant? " cos it will do more damage to your plant then what its worth . Sitting water require`s Aeration
I just hope you will plant other, annuals in between those trees to fully utilize the precious space. This greenhouse is fantastic. geothermal greenhouses work well even in the North, in northern parts of Canada's provinces.
Hi David! I found your channel several years ago when you were in Houston, TX. I bought the older Mittleider gardening book and liked the program. I haven't used it yet because I underwent several spine surgeries, and during that time, I let my preps lapse a bit. I live 40 miles east of San Antonio. We are zone 8b with very sandy loam soil. I am wanting to use these wicking beds this year for my citrus (I lost 20 producing trees during the freeze last year) so I can move them into the house, with my tractor in the winter. I also want to grow my vegetables in them. I cannot do raised beds like you had in Houston because we have a severe problem with fire ants, gophers, and moles. Also, my chickens get into them, and they take too much pasture from my dairy cows. (Part of my preps, meat, cheese, milk, and butter) . Not to mention I can no longer bend over.. My guestion is how do you think these will hold up to the hurricanes ( we were on the western edge of Harvey with 80 mph winds) and torential rain we get in Texas? Would you use a drip system into the pipes? I'll be using black plastic cattle mineral barrels to grow in. We do not have a well. What advice can you give for these in Texas?
You could get rebar or cheap electrical conduit, cut it into sections and then bend them over on the top to go over the top lip of a raised bed. The long spike on each "hook" could be driven into the soil at intervals around each raised bed. That and the weight of the soil will hold them down during 80 or higher mph winds.
@tanyawales5445 thank you, but that's not my problem. I can't use regular raised beds that contact the soil because of gophers, fire ants and Bermuda grass.
This presentation was so awesome but...there is a problem. The shocked drain pipe keeps dirt out of the water, but you have cancelled the effect of air pruning by allowing the roots to follow down the spaces between the pipe. Wicking yes; Air pruned partially. The entire root ball should be contained above the air space, hence, the landscape fabric pouch or lined grate. You would need a wick column. Also, the flexible 50 ft perforated drain pipe is cheaper than standard pipe. Love the gauge!!!! Happy potting!
This is great idea you just gave me...... I love citrus & tropical trees & this is great that I can move them around as weather changes here in California
If the barrels were outside where they can get rain in addition to the water you add yourself, then won’t you need a drainage hole in the barrels for over flow ?
Less than 10 seconds in and I already Subscribed *just* for the mere fact you mentioned your Zone. [Mine is 8 but it's frustrating hearing others I like _not_ mentioning their Zones but speaking about season specific crops or what works for them as if it would work for every Zone, at the same time.]
I am assuming that the reason why no hole is required in the barrel, is because they are grown inside your greenhouse and not outdoors where rain water would definitely flood the barrels. The float is a fantastic idea.😃
Howdy Idaho Neighbor. I'm in Utah. WOW Wow Wow your brilliant video blew me away. How about some self wicking tomatoes, How large of a container do I need please? Thank You Sir.... 👍
Help! A half whiskey barrel holds 4 cubic feet of soil, right? You use I/4 cup of weekly feed, which is 2 oz. or 12 teaspoons. A 5 gallon bucket hold .67 cubic feet- so you would use 2 teaspoons a week for a 5 gallon bucket? Would that translate to a scant 1/4 teaspoon for a gallon size pot?
Love the design and the cork idea. I still like the idea of having an overflow port just in case. Could do the overflow port with the size to use another cork to seal it from the outside. The water level would tell you if you needed to open the drainage hole.
I love planting in these wine barrels, and bought six of them last summer at Home Depot for $39 apiece! Now I can’t find them anywhere. Some places have the whiskey barrels, but they are way more rusted and rustic…not as pretty and they are running $55 to $60 apiece.
I'm sorry now I understand I listen to your comments again one more time and I did hear you say geothermal greenhouse so the water cannot get into your containers unless you put it in there thank you sorry about that have a good one but I do like your method it's fantastic
Last question hopefully, since I seem to be figuring it out. Not grasping how the water wicks without a wick thru the 1"air space to the medium? Is the fabric contacting the water some other way or what am I missing? I'm considering putting plant in grow bags over the pipe instead of draping fabric over it. Sure would like a reply at this point.
You need to give us new gardeners the full details of how the big tube at the bottom is used. Does it have holes in it all around to let the water out to the roots? Thanks!
It has microholes and this kind of pipe is used for French drains so that water can come into the pipe. In this case, the water can also seep out to the root zone.
I really love the idea of the Mittleider method and have purchased his book recently with the hopes of trying it this year. I love the idea of your self-wicking whiskey barrels, but I just have one question. Without the drainage hole, are you not worried about the water in the barrel going stagnant? I was thinking that even if you were to cap off the drainage holes, then they would at least be there if, or when you needed (and we hope you would never need it) to refresh the water in the barrel if it becomes necessary. I really love the concept of your floating water level sticks and hope to glean that concept as well as other important information from your extensive knowledge of growing our own food. Thank you and God's Blessings to you always - ~SuzyJC-in-Pataskala-Ohio/USA_03.11.2022~
The omission of the drain hole would be a disaster for anyone like me who lives in an area prone to torrential rainstorms. One night's rain would fill that barrel/container to the rim. The drain hole is the insurance that your plants aren't going to drown. It is NOT to make it easier to see when you've filled the container with enough water. Additionally, when you have the drain/overflow hole, you don't need the float indicator.
Without an overflow drain hole it seems the barrel is at risk of getting waterlogged in heavy rain. Perhaps keeping the plastic lower and allowing natural transpiration through the wood could be effective and if the barrel is too water tight an intentional drain hole could still be added above this level.
Your system will work fine for “undercover” plants, but if your wicking buckets are outside and a heavy deluge of rain occurs then your plants will drown as there is no way for the excess water to exit.
What's going to happen when the tree roots grow into those corrugated pipes? My front yard trees clogged up my home drain pipes last year. The plumber had to put a tool down the pipes to cut them out. Removing the trees to clear them out isn't going to be so simple when they get big. Any updates on this 3 years later? I love the idea for a raised grow bed because I'll just remove the grow medium to clean out after the season but for trees growing year after year with tough roots??? Not so sure this will work long term with thin corrugated pipe. Maybe if you use stronger 4" pipes and drill drain holes on the bottom instead or don't even use pipes and fill with gravel, then potting soil if you are never going to remove the tree.
Great video. Please excuse my lack of knowledge..but how does the water in the pipe....come out to water the plant? Of both ends are zip ties and the pvc pipe is sticking out, how does the water come out?
To clarify - you simply fill the barrel with dirt and then add water into the white pipe? That forms the reservoir of water without putting any barrier on top of the pipe?
Is the reason why there doesn't need to be a wicking agent (like sand or gravel) present between the reservoir and the soil because these tubs will never be top-watered? Looking to set up one of these for a larger house plant. Thanks for any answers!
Great design. Though, I would need the drain hole, I have blackberry plants in wicking tubs, and I need the drain hole because my tubs are outside and I can't control how much rain is dumped on them. My only question is, how long with the "sock" over the pipe last before it deteriorates and starts letting dirt through. Having some landscape fabric inside the tub works great for me, since I am confident it will last for a long time before it fails.
I've added a drain hole to these. I also made others with no sock. Since the soil it wet it sticks together and doesn't fill up the air space. The sock isn't needed.
I used the sawdust n sand method, fertilized as you would for a 18" bed. Should I add more weekly & pre plant mix to top and how much n how often do you suggest. I have plastic barrels cut in half with a hole drilled 3" up. Have been following you for years thank you for all you share.
I am happy to see this tutorial as I have several ceramic pots and do not want to put a hole in them. I think I am going to try to use styrofoam instead of the cork as I do not have access to a winery and I don't drink. And to solve the rain issue, what do you think about covering each pot with plastic? I live in zone 9, california, and we don't get much rain until fall so it would not be all the time.
This looks interesting. Would this work for containers that are outside? Several have commented you need a drain hole in the side why? I have 18-20 gallon cattle mineral tubs that I'm using.
Mr C. You’ll need to drill one hole in the side of your mineral tub called a weep hole. Drill it 1 inch below the top of the drain pipe. This allows for excess water to drain out.
If you're not installing any drainage hole near the bottom if it rains and water logs your plants how is the water going to come out of your bucket without killing the roots I like your method everything about it is great fantastic but I don't understand how you're going to get the water out of your bucket if it rains real hard and feels the bucket up with more water than you have need of thank you
I have wicking tubs with drilled holes that I made earlier this year and I really like the idea of the water gauge. My containers have different lengths of the pvc pipe in them can I still use the same measurements that you used for making the water gauges?
My understanding was that he cut the skewer 18 inches because his pipe was 18 inches. Match the skewers to the length of your pipes and it will work no matter how tall your pipes are.
Those are half wine barrels…pretty big. They will probably grow a smaller tree for several years, and keep the trees a small size, but you can also cut the bottom out if you want a more permanent container plant and don’t plan on moving it around. Bunny Guinness UA-cam channel has an awesome video in bottomless container planting. ☺️
i've seen many people use some sort of tarp or garbage bag, slit an x where you want your plant to be and put it though the incision and drape it over the top of the container wine barrel/container
AHHH...I see, that's why you need a hole on the side an inch below the top of the 4" pipe. Pays to watch this more than once! i think I'm good no need to explain. Guess I can't get around putt a side hole in.
This is watering-only-wicking. True wicking is not just about water for the plants, it’s also about oxygen for the soil; using the water to flood & drain sucking oxygen into the soil by moving the “wick”… ie: drainage pipe. Nice design for undercover tho👍
The air space is made from the water level in the pipe always being 1” lower than the height of the hose because his home made gauge is marked accordingly so he knows how much water to add so as not to add 4” of water, which would fill the hose totally. Not filling the hose totally with water means that he will always have a 1” space in the pipe for air. A drain hole would also allow air to come in naturally actually as the water level drops…as Leon explains in his videos. A drain hole (drilled 1” lower than the pipe height) IS needed if these pots are placed outside to allow for excess rainwater to flow out…which would always allow a 1” gap for air in the hose
Your greenhouse/high tunnel looks great, but the link you give now redirects to a store or to your youtube channel. Where can we get info on your greenhouse project?
You'd need the drainhole if your plant is outside so rain doesn't put too much water in. You don't want the roots sitting in water because of root rot.
I am not sure about climate in Idaho climate, but you may be able to grow loquats outside. We certainly can in South Carolina, but the climate is vastly different. I suspect Idaho might be equivalent to Japan?
Thanks for your great tutorials. A friend that lives in Yuma, Arizona has a Lemon tree and an orange tree very close to each other grown in the ground. The oranges are very bitter like a lemon. How far apart should those trees be from each other?
do i need to put the pvc filler tube? I was made a small container using a small tiny bowl with holes for air and made the hole 1" below the small hole to let out extra water. the hole is 1" below the the space inside the empty container with small holes
You might want to add that only no overflow outlet is needed in the controlled way of growing under a roof. If these are in a setting where rain can fill up the barrels/wicking bed then a drain IS required!
What if there are a few holes underneath? Still not enough?
Holes in the bottom allow all the water to drain out. A hole in the side allows for the container to be self wicking. Less watering needed and less work.
Fantastic design, the closest tutorial I have seen to building the beds as they were intended to be built by Colin Austin. I love that you don't waste space with rocks or sand but I would add that you can only get away with not adding a drainage hole when growing in a greenhouse or at least under a canopy to keep rainwater from flooding and suffocating the bed
The float alone was worth the stop. 😄 Thanks for the reminder. 👍🏻
I have watched several other videos on making self watering containers. I watched yours twice. Then I went back to another. I had to just turn theirs off. Way too complicated. and this way is so clean and easy. Brilliant! Thank you!
I see you say we don’t need a hole in the side of the tub.. Doesn’t the hole in the side of the tub also help keep the container from getting flooded in heavy rains?
@@slahring1 This system work perfectly well if the container is protected from rain.
If not, then it can be overflooded..
Love the cork float. Brilliantly simple.
Thank you. The measuring float is really ingenious.
Glad to see gardening with Leon channel is inspiring people do these.
Yeap follow his lead, he is the best.
Great Video, One idea I see is to drill a few holes into pvc near bottom 2 inches where it passes into drainage pipe. Reason is the way you have it now, pvc can go all the way to bottom of drainage pipe and prevent water being filled from actually filling container.
Would that creat any other problem?
Nice adaptation. Although I plan on zip tying my watering pipe to the end of the sock, at the end of the tubing. Adding a notch at the end of the plastic will allow the watering pipe to be vertical. Also, be sure to cut the pipe at an angle so the pipe doesn't lay flat on the bottom. Thanks for sharing.
I use pool noodles on the bottom to displace the water. Less than 20 cents per bucket...
Very inventive.
Please explain.I thought that the drainage hole was there to help hold more water. So how does the noodle compare?
I use five gallon buckets with a wicking cup in the top container. I just need the water to reach that cup and by putting noodles in I displaced the water and therefore need to use far less water than I would otherwise. Just think of it like a false bottom, but much cheaper!
How did u seal the ends so dirt wouldn't get in?
@@knitra1980 Not sure I understand. The noodles sit in the water, so only water is getting in them. Other than that the design is just like LDSPrepper's old 5 gallon bucket design... does that make sense?
Here’s another way to seal the inside of the whiskey barrels. Take 1 part Namptha (spirit for painting) and 4 parts clear silicone sealant. Mix well in a disposable cup or container and the Namptha breaks down the silicone so that you can spray or brush it on like a paint. When it dries it’s waterproofed. Works in anything. Shies, tents, sheets for leantoos and more. Saw it on UA-cam and it works!
How long does it last before it breaks down, months or is it pretty much a permanent solution for garden pots?
People need to think carefully whether this can be used safely without impacting the environment or your health as it has been listed as a carcinogen so if you use it wear a mask and gloves, some people seal the bottemp of pots with cement obviously it might make larger pots too heavy to move but people have been using it when making their own Ollie's.
You eat from that?
I would not use that plastic. Best and safest way is to use food/fish safe pond lining.
I am growing tomatoes in 10 gallon plastic pots. I was watering 2 or 3 times a day. I build a water trough 18 inches x 54 inches x 3.5 inches high. I lined the trough with green house white plastic to make it water tight. I am keeping about an inch of water in each trough so the plants can draw on the watering as needed. The trough can hold a lot more water than the conventional saucers that go under the pot. The white plastic stays cool in the sun, so evaporation is held at a minimum. Most of the construction was done with reclaimed materials, so the only real cost has been the cost of the plastic, 10 ft x 10 ft plastic cost $13.
I had no idea one of my favorite guitarists had such a keen interest in gardening
I did this exact thing for small containers, then saw this video. Thanks for the confirmation. I think we really over think things.
That works fine in a greenhouse or tunnel garden. But my tomatoes are outside, so I need the hole in the side. So the rain doesn't drown my plants. And a large tote is easier for most of us to pick up in a big box store. Great idea on the water level indicator though.
Self wicking containers are awesome! I've been using them for a couple of years now. I add some lime to my container mix to counteract the acidity of the peat moss.
Yes, that is what the pre-plant mix is. It is 80% calcium.
Can I use lemon juice
@@themisstra7708 it will cause nutrient lockout. Go with a very minor amount of lime. Calcium mag carbonate especially. Watch the pH bounce
@@tomfrench8191 gotcha thanks 😊
Blueberries need the acid soil.
Your cork floating dipstick is a great idea.
I have two concerns. will the soil will saturate with water and overwater my tomatoes causing bottom end rot? Also there will be soil all the way to the bottom between the pipe and that bottom soil will be below the water line and will be super saturated, could this cause root rot or be a place for some other root disease to fester?
I also "invented" the wine cork float valve last summer to water a large flower pot. It works really well.
PS: I have followed your prepping a long time. I think you used to be in Houston. There is no cure for a gardening addiction. It IS the cure! LOL. 💯
This is perfect for an indoor container. Or a greenhouse. If it was outside you would need a hole in the side.
If a cover is used as in an Earth box, the pots don't get rain water and if not over filled the drain is not needed. His gauge handles that
@@dianeblackwood7810 True about Earth box. However I can get 55gal barrels for $10-15. When cut in half that is as cheap as $5 per planter. A similar receptacle for an Earth box is a minimum of twice the price if not more. What can I say, I'm cheap. :)
Not really, just place a narrowed tube for the level indicator. In case of rain, not much water can go in, and in any case, why wouldn't it work outdoor? The outside indicators were made on the side for esthetic purposes.
@@aleksandrabissani567 Not quite. A wicking tub outdoors with no cover will become water logged and anaerobic. The hole in the side is more than an indicator, it permits any excess water to drain out to prevent the water log condition.
@@aleksandrabissani567 in a sip system it could easily drown the roots
Your pipe bottom needs cut on diagonal to keep it from compressing down and sealing off.
In this system, the ribs of the drainage tile keep it from resting against the bottom. No need for slanted cut
This is a great idea for the indicator stick. It will also work on the other tubs to give you an idea of how much water is in the bottom and if you really need to add some "now" or tomorrow. No need to put water in a tub that is almost full overflowing most of the water out the drain tube (on the old style). Thanks!
Excellent idea. Use this simple and inexpensive water level indicator on all your indoor plants so you don't have to worry about over filling and dripping water on your floor.
I would think the pipe would be cut at an angle
@@TheBbowles888 the bottom of the pipe, yes, no need to angle the top.
As usual, excellent info presented professionally. Thank you for risking your life in that wind storm to do this for us.
Thank you. Yeah, the wind was 20-30 mph when I was filming. I had a mic on to help with the noise. You may have noticed how I had the roll up greenhouse side rolled down a bit to minimize the wind but still keep the greenhouse cool.
What a fabulous idea!!! I'm now a fan- follower!
What year did you start these fruit trees? How big are they now? How many times have you pruned them? Do you prune the roots? How many times? How many Geothermal Greenhouses do you have? Do you have any with vegetables in them in February? Any concerns with the Government & a say over what you can grow or how etc.?
Whiskey barrels look lovely and are practical. I used to put sand in the bottom to cover the pipe too, and the hole. Prefer your method. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you.
Dear Sir, Please explain in detail how to grow Avacado ---
Glad I found you. Thanks for a very clear presentation and info on where to get info and merchandise.
There is no air pruning effect in your design laterally or vertically. The side plastic and wicking cancels it. Eventually the tap root may penetrate the plastic and enter the ground soil. I also recommend putting the barrels on a triangle of 2x4s to keep them off the ground. If you put an air pot inside the barrel, you're more likely to achieve the desired combination effect.
Wow! This is exactly what I was going to say about the plastic lining. Great solution with the grow bag.
Dear Sir, Excellent, Please show and explain on a micro basis , after putting the perforated hose pipe how to provide holes to it so that water comes out
The most informative video I’ve seen on container gardening thank you so much ❤
I like the water gauge idea, but when it rains your kinda SOL without a weeping hole on the side.
I believe you said you would not recommend this method for growing vegetables, why not? Thank you.
First, thank you for your teaching. Could I use litter bottles in the bottom and put holes in them instead of the drainage hose. I don't need and it's expensive to buy the drainage hose for us small yard gardens. Next, I have the Mittleider nutrients and since I use Earthboxes, and I already have potting mix, should I use both the weekly and the pre-mix each time I pot my containers. Hope this makes sense. Your garden is beautiful. I live in Meridian, Idaho. Again, thank you.
Works great -- unless outside and filled with rain. This is only for under cover.
Best replied question was " Are you not worried about the water in the barrel going stagnant? " cos it will do more damage to your plant then what its worth . Sitting water require`s Aeration
That might work for indoors however if outside wouldn’t you need the drain hole or the rain will fill the whole barrel?
Correct. If yours are outdoors just add the drain hole.
@@LDSPrepper Yes you need a drain hole alright, I knew something was missing.
I just hope you will plant other, annuals in between those trees to fully utilize the precious space. This greenhouse is fantastic. geothermal greenhouses work well even in the North, in northern parts of Canada's provinces.
Hi David! I found your channel several years ago when you were in Houston, TX. I bought the older Mittleider gardening book and liked the program.
I haven't used it yet because I underwent several spine surgeries, and during that time, I let my preps lapse a bit.
I live 40 miles east of San Antonio. We are zone 8b with very sandy loam soil.
I am wanting to use these wicking beds this year for my citrus (I lost 20 producing trees during the freeze last year) so I can move them into the house, with my tractor in the winter.
I also want to grow my vegetables in them.
I cannot do raised beds like you had in Houston because we have a severe problem with fire ants, gophers, and moles. Also, my chickens get into them, and they take too much pasture from my dairy cows. (Part of my preps, meat, cheese, milk, and butter) . Not to mention I can no longer bend over..
My guestion is how do you think these will hold up to the hurricanes ( we were on the western edge of Harvey with 80 mph winds) and torential rain we get in Texas? Would you use a drip system into the pipes? I'll be using black plastic cattle mineral barrels to grow in. We do not have a well. What advice can you give for these in Texas?
You could get rebar or cheap electrical conduit, cut it into sections and then bend them over on the top to go over the top lip of a raised bed. The long spike on each "hook" could be driven into the soil at intervals around each raised bed. That and the weight of the soil will hold them down during 80 or higher mph winds.
@tanyawales5445 thank you, but that's not my problem. I can't use regular raised beds that contact the soil because of gophers, fire ants and Bermuda grass.
Thank you for that cork auto water thingy. Great idea
Roots wont self prune in the humid air space between the water and the medium.. they will grow right through it and into the water.
how do you remove excess water in the containers after heavy rains? seems like the container could become waterlogged with no drain hole in the side
The greenhouse has a roof so this would keep rain water out.
This presentation was so awesome but...there is a problem. The shocked drain pipe keeps dirt out of the water, but you have cancelled the effect of air pruning by allowing the roots to follow down the spaces between the pipe. Wicking yes; Air pruned partially. The entire root ball should be contained above the air space, hence, the landscape fabric pouch or lined grate. You would need a wick column. Also, the flexible 50 ft perforated drain pipe is cheaper than standard pipe. Love the gauge!!!! Happy potting!
Oops "socked" drain pipe
I agree about air pruning, but how can one wick AND airprune at the same time?? That's my conundrum!
This is great idea you just gave me...... I love citrus & tropical trees & this is great that I can move them around as weather changes here in California
If the barrels were outside where they can get rain in addition to the water you add yourself, then won’t you need a drainage hole in the barrels for over flow ?
Correct. I have added a drain hole since I made the video.
Less than 10 seconds in and I already Subscribed *just* for the mere fact you mentioned your Zone. [Mine is 8 but it's frustrating hearing others I like _not_ mentioning their Zones but speaking about season specific crops or what works for them as if it would work for every Zone, at the same time.]
I am assuming that the reason why no hole is required in the barrel, is because they are grown inside your greenhouse and not outdoors where rain water would definitely flood the barrels. The float is a fantastic idea.😃
Needed this video three weeks ago! 🤪
Hope you enjoyed it! What happened 3 weeks ago?
Howdy Idaho Neighbor. I'm in Utah. WOW Wow Wow your brilliant video blew me away. How about some self wicking tomatoes, How large of a container do I need please?
Thank You Sir.... 👍
Help! A half whiskey barrel holds 4 cubic feet of soil, right? You use I/4 cup of weekly feed, which is 2 oz. or 12 teaspoons. A 5 gallon bucket hold .67 cubic feet- so you would use 2 teaspoons a week for a 5 gallon bucket? Would that translate to a scant 1/4 teaspoon for a gallon size pot?
Love the design and the cork idea. I still like the idea of having an overflow port just in case. Could do the overflow port with the size to use another cork to seal it from the outside. The water level would tell you if you needed to open the drainage hole.
A whiskey barrel swells with the water and becomes water tight. You just have to soak it first.
I love planting in these wine barrels, and bought six of them last summer at Home Depot for $39 apiece! Now I can’t find them anywhere. Some places have the whiskey barrels, but they are way more rusted and rustic…not as pretty and they are running $55 to $60 apiece.
I'm sorry now I understand I listen to your comments again one more time and I did hear you say geothermal greenhouse so the water cannot get into your containers unless you put it in there thank you sorry about that have a good one but I do like your method it's fantastic
Last question hopefully, since I seem to be figuring it out. Not grasping how the water wicks without a wick thru the 1"air space to the medium? Is the fabric contacting the water some other way or what am I missing? I'm considering putting plant in grow bags over the pipe instead of draping fabric over it. Sure would like a reply at this point.
You need to give us new gardeners the full details of how the big tube at the bottom is used. Does it have holes in it all around to let the water out to the roots? Thanks!
Yes, this drain pipe has holes all over it so the water can get out and moisten the soil.
@@wendydriggs1539aren't both ends enough for water to get out?
It has microholes and this kind of pipe is used for French drains so that water can come into the pipe. In this case, the water can also seep out to the root zone.
I really love the idea of the Mittleider method and have purchased his book recently with the hopes of trying it this year. I love the idea of your self-wicking whiskey barrels, but I just have one question. Without the drainage hole, are you not worried about the water in the barrel going stagnant? I was thinking that even if you were to cap off the drainage holes, then they would at least be there if, or when you needed (and we hope you would never need it) to refresh the water in the barrel if it becomes necessary. I really love the concept of your floating water level sticks and hope to glean that concept as well as other important information from your extensive knowledge of growing our own food. Thank you and God's Blessings to you always -
~SuzyJC-in-Pataskala-Ohio/USA_03.11.2022~
His are under a cover thus only receives the water they add. If your barrel is outside and it rains then you'd need a drain likely.
I would like to do self wicking but I have question. Can we incorporate some earthworms?
Amazing. Affortable and pretty easy to do. Thanks for sharing.
The omission of the drain hole would be a disaster for anyone like me who lives in an area prone to torrential rainstorms. One night's rain would fill that barrel/container to the rim.
The drain hole is the insurance that your plants aren't going to drown. It is NOT to make it easier to see when you've filled the container with enough water. Additionally, when you have the drain/overflow hole, you don't need the float indicator.
Without an overflow drain hole it seems the barrel is at risk of getting waterlogged in heavy rain.
Perhaps keeping the plastic lower and allowing natural transpiration through the wood could be effective and if the barrel is too water tight an intentional drain hole could still be added above this level.
Your system will work fine for “undercover” plants, but if your wicking buckets are outside and a heavy deluge of rain occurs then your plants will drown as there is no way for the excess water to exit.
What's going to happen when the tree roots grow into those corrugated pipes? My front yard trees clogged up my home drain pipes last year. The plumber had to put a tool down the pipes to cut them out. Removing the trees to clear them out isn't going to be so simple when they get big. Any updates on this 3 years later? I love the idea for a raised grow bed because I'll just remove the grow medium to clean out after the season but for trees growing year after year with tough roots??? Not so sure this will work long term with thin corrugated pipe. Maybe if you use stronger 4" pipes and drill drain holes on the bottom instead or don't even use pipes and fill with gravel, then potting soil if you are never going to remove the tree.
Great video. Please excuse my lack of knowledge..but how does the water in the pipe....come out to water the plant? Of both ends are zip ties and the pvc pipe is sticking out, how does the water come out?
He said perforated pipe, so to me, it means there are holes in the black pipe. The sock is to keep the dirt from entering the holes.
To clarify - you simply fill the barrel with dirt and then add water into the white pipe? That forms the reservoir of water without putting any barrier on top of the pipe?
What are your measurements, please? You said "Scoops" then "cups". And what is in the "Pre-Plant Mix"? Thanks
Your videos are always excellent. Thank you.
How do the fruit trees get pollinated in the green house? I will for sure try this self wicking method. Thank you!
Looks like the sides are open. Usually during flowering months it’s too hot to keep closed up.
Is the reason why there doesn't need to be a wicking agent (like sand or gravel) present between the reservoir and the soil because these tubs will never be top-watered? Looking to set up one of these for a larger house plant. Thanks for any answers!
Without an overflow hole, where does the excess water go if one of your helpers inadvertently overwaters?
That only works if it is sheltered from rain. drilling a hole to provide drainage in that scenario will still work with your design, so why not do it?
Thank you for the video. I can’t find the flashlight from one of your earlier videos on your website. Can you please link me to the flashlight?
Here is the link to the self defense flashlight giveaway LDSPrepper.com/flashlight
Great design. Though, I would need the drain hole, I have blackberry plants in wicking tubs, and I need the drain hole because my tubs are outside and I can't control how much rain is dumped on them. My only question is, how long with the "sock" over the pipe last before it deteriorates and starts letting dirt through. Having some landscape fabric inside the tub works great for me, since I am confident it will last for a long time before it fails.
I've added a drain hole to these. I also made others with no sock. Since the soil it wet it sticks together and doesn't fill up the air space. The sock isn't needed.
I love the float idea.
I used the sawdust n sand method, fertilized as you would for a 18" bed. Should I add more weekly & pre plant mix to top and how much n how often do you suggest. I have plastic barrels cut in half with a hole drilled 3" up. Have been following you for years thank you for all you share.
I am happy to see this tutorial as I have several ceramic pots and do not want to put a hole in them. I think I am going to try to use styrofoam instead of the cork as I do not have access to a winery and I don't drink. And to solve the rain issue, what do you think about covering each pot with plastic? I live in zone 9, california, and we don't get much rain until fall so it would not be all the time.
I would think fishing corks would work just fine.
Nice restaurants would probably be happy to give you some.
This looks interesting. Would this work for containers that are outside? Several have commented you need a drain hole in the side why? I have 18-20 gallon cattle mineral tubs that I'm using.
Mr C. You’ll need to drill one hole in the side of your mineral tub called a weep hole. Drill it 1 inch below the top of the drain pipe. This allows for excess water to drain out.
Wow, this is brilliant! I'm new to this wicking system. Why is it that you need an air space at the bottom? Trying to understand. Thank you so much.
How much nutrient/weekly feed per tub each week? 1/2 cup replant an 1/4 cup weekly feed when you start..,but after that...
If you're not installing any drainage hole near the bottom if it rains and water logs your plants how is the water going to come out of your bucket without killing the roots I like your method everything about it is great fantastic but I don't understand how you're going to get the water out of your bucket if it rains real hard and feels the bucket up with more water than you have need of thank you
excellent, very enlightening, educational especially that I have very little backyard, thank you sir, God bless
I have wicking tubs with drilled holes that I made earlier this year and I really like the idea of the water gauge. My containers have different lengths of the pvc pipe in them can I still use the same measurements that you used for making the water gauges?
My understanding was that he cut the skewer 18 inches because his pipe was 18 inches. Match the skewers to the length of your pipes and it will work no matter how tall your pipes are.
What is the diameter and height of these barrels ? Will the fruit trees grow in these sized container well without getting root bound ?
Those are half wine barrels…pretty big. They will probably grow a smaller tree for several years, and keep the trees a small size, but you can also cut the bottom out if you want a more permanent container plant and don’t plan on moving it around. Bunny Guinness UA-cam channel has an awesome video in bottomless container planting. ☺️
What happens if it rains. The wine barrel will over fill with water
i've seen many people use some sort of tarp or garbage bag, slit an x where you want your plant to be and put it though the incision and drape it over the top of the container wine barrel/container
Hi David, after 2 years how it works? Can you give us a feedback? Roots of full size trees are ok or it would be better dwarf trees?
Hello. Great video. Are you not worried about the chemicals coming from the hard and soft pipes?
AHHH...I see, that's why you need a hole on the side an inch below the top of the 4" pipe. Pays to watch this more than once! i think I'm good no need to explain. Guess I can't get around putt a side hole in.
This is watering-only-wicking. True wicking is not just about water for the plants, it’s also about oxygen for the soil; using the water to flood & drain sucking oxygen into the soil by moving the “wick”… ie: drainage pipe.
Nice design for undercover tho👍
Also wondered how the air space is achieved if the soil drops directly onto pipe?
The air space is made from the water level in the pipe always being 1” lower than the height of the hose because his home made gauge is marked accordingly so he knows how much water to add so as not to add 4” of water, which would fill the hose totally. Not filling the hose totally with water means that he will always have a 1” space in the pipe for air. A drain hole would also allow air to come in naturally actually as the water level drops…as Leon explains in his videos. A drain hole (drilled 1” lower than the pipe height) IS needed if these pots are placed outside to allow for excess rainwater to flow out…which would always allow a 1” gap for air in the hose
Can someone explain to me where the water reservoir is. I'm really struggling to get the concept of this system as opposed to the 5 gal bucket system
@@shimmythabokgosisejo1898 I hear ya!
A 2g bucket upside down in a 6g bucket also works.
I'm in Zone 5A (Wisconsin) and you say we can grow fruit trees year-round with a set-up like yours? Very, very interesting.
Your greenhouse/high tunnel looks great, but the link you give now redirects to a store or to your youtube channel. Where can we get info on your greenhouse project?
Nice video, if this container was outside and it rained heavily would it be advisable to have a drain hole on the side to prevent overwatering?
Very cool! I never liked how you had to drill a side hole through the container.
You'd need the drainhole if your plant is outside so rain doesn't put too much water in. You don't want the roots sitting in water because of root rot.
Locust Japanese Plum (12:36}, is that the same as Loquat tree ?
Thank you very much! Exactly what I needed, great idea!
I am not sure about climate in Idaho climate, but you may be able to grow loquats outside. We certainly can in South Carolina, but the climate is vastly different. I suspect Idaho might be equivalent to Japan?
Thanks for your great tutorials. A friend that lives in Yuma, Arizona has a Lemon tree and an orange tree very close to each other grown in the ground. The oranges are very bitter like a lemon. How far apart should those trees be from each other?
Isn't it necessary to have varieties of each tree as each variety ripens at a different time?
You may want to bevel the inside of the top of the pvc pipe, so the tape can’t hand up, giving you false reading.
do i need to put the pvc filler tube? I was made a small container using a small tiny bowl with holes for air and made the hole 1" below the small hole to let out extra water. the hole is 1" below the the space inside the empty container with small holes