Self-watering SIP Sub-irrigated Raised Bed Construction (How to Build)
Tips, Tricks
This DIY tutorial explains how to build an S.I.P. Raised Bed. But going further, it also teaches the fundamental mechanics of a self-watering system. Although this focuses on a wicking bed, the same principles apply to sub-irrigated tote containers. You'll be able design and build a water-saving grow system that meets your individual requirements. QUICK SPECS: - Internal Dimensions (select your own length & width): 71.75" L x 30" W x 16.5" (deep) - Over Flow Drain Hole Height: 3.25" up from bottom - Recommended Gap Between Drain Pipes: 0.25" (minimum) - 0.75" (maximum) IDEAL APPLICATIONS: - Rooftop Gardens - Impermeable Surfaces (Patios, Driveways, Parking Lots) - High Drought Areas - Contaminated Soils (Heavy Metals, Nematodes) - Urban Environments A self-watering garden bed translates into easy gardening! But you may wonder: What type of materials should I use? Is treated lumber bad? What kind of lining should I use? How deep should the bed be? How high should the overflow drain be? Should the pipes be wrapped? Do you need a plastic cover? What kind of dirt or soil should I use? What kind of potting mix do you need? Do you need to use fertilizer strips? Once you have the answers to these questions, all of the guess work is removed. The only thing left is for you to start designing and building! Once you've made the jump to a sub-irrigated garden, you'll quickly appreciate the convenience. This allows you to be away for longer periods. Rain water is collected and saved for later use. When you do need to water, it's so easy. You'll love it, and your plants will love YOU! See Video UPDATE 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5orIjYKFRgE See Video UPDATE 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ2T6gUv8Gc See Video UPDATE 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKrjC5sC5cU For more information check out my website: http://albopepper.com/SIP-raised-bed.php For instructions on building the raised SIP grow box (seen at the intro): http://albopepper.com/grow-box.php For general S.I.P. info: http://albopepper.com/sips.php NOTE: I used a couple bags of Miracle Gro potting mix, which I bought in bulk for CHEAP. That stuff works (although it is synthetic). However, you can go purely organic in your mix composition if that is your preference. Use whatever ingredients conform to your gardening philosophy. Just be sure to follow the guidelines discussed in the video. #Irrigation #RaisedBedGardening #GardenDesign #GoGreen #EasyGardening #WaterConservation #UrbanGardening ================================== Support AlboPepper.com and get some cool garden shirts that I designed myself: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/albopepper/ ==================================
Comments
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Bark is a bad additive for a planting mix. It uses massive amounts of nitrogen as it decomposes. If you want to bulk your substrate then compost the pine bark or you can always use coconut fiber chunks which break down at a very slow rate and do not rape the nitrogen out of your soil. http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/nursery/Extension%20Publications/Using%20bark%20and%20Sawdust%20for%20Mulches,%20Soil%20Amendments%20and%20Potting%20Mixes%20-CIS%20858.pdf
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Learn more about how to use a self-watering planter:
SIP Raised Bed (Update 1) + Self-Watering Containers + How-To Monitor Moisture Levels :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5orIjYKFRgE
SIP Raised Bed (Update 2) + Watering & Aeration Screen Explanation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ2T6gUv8Gc
SIP Raised Bed (Update 3) + Winterizing Planters & Totes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKrjC5sC5cU
Self-watering planters have pros & cons. Read more about how they can benefit you the most: http://albopepper.com/sip_expectations.php -
I'm building a small setup for this season and was wondering if you think these could be linked together, say three containers. Input in the first, drain runs directly across to a low entry on the next box, drain out to next box, ending in a final exit drain.
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Hi, Very nice video! I'm planning to do a SIB of 1.2mtx2.4 mt. Should the corrugated tube cover all the area? Or would it be possible to reduce the coverage? Thanks!
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Why the hell does everyone think you need so much water? Build soil rich of humus and biochar then mulch it well put some stones around and plant with some deep rooted plants which will pump water from below. Never have to set any pipes etc.
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What camera are you shooting with ?
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Hi! where do you put the watering hole? I didnt get that part 😳
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can you use gray water?
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Fantastic ! Why NO Manure? I've got some hens and I want to take advantage of that availability. Not possible?
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A bag of carrots at Walmart costs about a dollar.
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You do know you put a upside down storage container in the lower bed you can fit the container box with Ball Valve to maintain the water level automaticity
Beds consuming more water will Replenish more often - use more water
Beds consuming less water will Replenish less often - use less water (or non at all) -
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing my friend!
Chuck -
what about water rotting at the bottom?
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What does SIP stand for?
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You know all this fuss, I have a great garden, I dig the dirt up, use leaves and wood chips each ear to "loosen" up the existing dirt, and the plant the plants. I water each day and the rest is done by nature. If you are really worried about no water in dry times, You can put in plastic bottles upside down with pin holes to let the water go in to the ground. Simple and totally cheap and not all the fess.....BTW the wood will rot no matter what so why waste the money. I you are going to do a raised bed do it in rock. Just my 2cents. Good Video tho.
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an aquaponic bed would probably be easier and work better in the long run. Then eventually you could build a small greenhouse over your bed and grow year round
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wooooooooow nice
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naw its a nice idea but ill stick with my hugle beds, huglekulture is free if u know where to find old logs and wood and all u need is a shovel!
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Here we use covers to keep the heavy rains from washing all of the amendments from the mix and so we only have to fertilize once at the beginning of the season. If the covers are tucked into the interior edges, it still allows the beneficial rain water into the reservoir down the sides without disturbing the fertilizer strips, washing out the lime, and essentially changing an otherwise, semi-closed system. This also helps with things such as excess nutrient runoff, weeds, rodents, insects etc, and conserves yet even more water.
Nice job either way. 1-1/4 thin wall pvc for the fill tube lets you stick the hose in it and basically turn it on full blast. We use Kerick float valves in an enclosure to make them automatic and the fill tube is just in case we have a valve malfunction. -
hi i'm from brasil. You can put subtitles, is better to us. thanks
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