Carol Hughes – WaterUps from Down Under

Just what is a wicking bed?

A wicking bed is basically like a self-watering pot only on a much bigger scale. It is a garden bed with a self-contained water reservoir that ‘wicks’ water into the soil.

What are the advantages of a wicking bed over a traditional garden bed?

You can save up to 80 per cent of the water you would put on a traditional garden. Because the moisture content in the beds stays the same, you are not overwatering or underwatering your plants so they don't get stressed. Your plants are growing in an ideal environment and they really thrive!

Once the reservoir is full of water, you can go away on holiday and you don't have to worry about getting your neighbour to look after the garden… depending on the season, you don’t need to top up a wicking bed for up to four weeks!

So you really don’t have to water for weeks at a time?

That’s right, but when you first make your wicking bed, it will take a little while for the wicking process to reach an optimal level, for the water to soak up into the soil. We suggest you water from the top every day or two for about a week and then after that, only water the bed by filling the reservoir. You will just need to check the water level every week or so.

What is the WaterUps from Down under wicking cell?

My brother, Ian, was having a discussion with a landscaper friend of his about how they could save water and grow really good plants. After a lot of trial and error they came up with the WaterUps wicking cells. They are fully modular, and a commercially available wicking bed system made in Australian from recycled polypropylene.

There are many different ways you can make a wicking bed, what are the advantages of WaterUps wicking beds?

They can come as a complete unit; you don't have to worry about buying pond liner to keep the water in or all the other materials, you don't have to worry about cutting things to size. It is just a matter of putting few screws together. It is very easy and, in the end, just as cheap as making one yourself.

How big are the water ups wicking beds?

We have two different wicking bed kits and the cells can even be cut to size to fit your own garden or planter. You can even use them for in-ground garden beds as long as they are level.

How can people find out more about WaterUps wicking beds?

They can visit our website waterups.com.au or reach me via email carol.hughes@waterups.com.au or phone 0418498206. I have a supply of products here in Orange so you can contact me and save on freight.