Wicking beds

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Pallet planter box

Assembly
~1100mm long
~550mm wide
~550mm high

Wicking bed example
http://www.urbanfoodgarden.org/main/vegetable-patch-design/vegetable-patch-design-images/vegetable-patch-design--wicking-bed-workings-cut-away-large-.gif

Layers and parts

Links are for example only, some items can be sourced from https://www.cansand.com.au/2015-price-list/
, or scavenged.

Black plastic, agg pipes scoria, and inlet pipe

Wicking%20bed%20pipes
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Added Weed mat, sand, and runoff pipe

Wicking%20bed%20Sand
Wicking%20bed%20Sand1200×1600 942 KB

Final, added straw layer, soil, and mulch

Wicking%20bed%20final
Wicking%20bed%20final1600×1200 993 KB

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https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/jerrabomberra/other-garden/scoria-free/1198516495

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As a Incorporated body with an ABN it looks like we can get a cash account at Reece Plumbing. This means we should be able to get a cheaper price than retail for plumbing parts from there. I called them yesterday and they said I needed to go into a shop front to sort it out. When I get the chance I will do that unless someone else wants to do it before me.

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AssemblyReal

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Are you doing anything with the spare ones around the space?

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Spare ones?

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The ones that you have around the space atm or are they going to be extra beds for the space.

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The constructed boxes are for mhv, but I am open to alternatives as have been discussed via email.

The planter boxes are intended to help improve the space and make it more welcoming. I have made a good start on about five boxes, but with xmas and other life demands I have not had the time to progress further.

I would like to see the current boxes finished, then assemblage of another five.
@Rurik has found some varnish suitable to use, I have been working on current boxes and acquiring pallets for timer, but other materials required to craft wicking beds [on post above] have not been sourced and help would be beneficial.

I believe that transforming simple planter boxes into wicking beds will have a significant advantage by making the beds more robust and lower maintenance. Plants will be more likely to survive and thrive ultimately making the space a nicer place to occupy.

I have started raising some seedlings that I hope will make resilient and colourful additions to the space.

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Ok np i will have to find some pallets then :slight_smile:

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@Ian for the boxes did you use galv deck screws ?

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I have also calculated how much scoria i need for 4 boxes which is .332 of m3 (1100mm longx 500mm wide x 150mm high = 0.083m3 x 4) https://www.ginifab.com/feeds/cbm/cubic_meter_calculator.html

So talking ben yesterday we might all pitch in and get a 1 m3 of scoria from CSG at mitchell? Ref the link posted earlier in this topic

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I put the varnish in the space yesterday.

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https://www.cansand.com.au/2015-price-list/

$125 a cubic I don’t know how that translates into weight though which is a pitty because bunnings sells it by the 20kg bag.

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The screws where


and

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Thanks Ian

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Does anyone have a table saw ?

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Yes, what are you planning on cutting?

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90x30 in half , the pallet stringers

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@ian

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Bunnings at majura park $4.65

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Atm the planer has a nick in the blades i will try sharpen the blades tomorrow