Self-Water Brick Container Gardening
There is nothing like the taste of strawberries in the summer. However, getting things to grow in the Southwest is always a challenge.
Gardeners from all over the world have contributed to the base knowledge of soil composition, light and seasons needed for growing healthy plants. The trick in the southwest is getting plenty of water to them.
Weather in the Southwest
the Southwest has water. It is mostly underground. the Southwest has more wells than any other state in the country. There are rivers and lakes, but they are few in number. Well, they call them rivers on maps, but if you drive over a bridge, you will see something quite different. A sign names the river but looking over the guardrail will tell you the truth, “There ain’t nothin’ down there but sand.” Yes, there are very few real rivers and lakes in the Southwest, but it’s a joke to name a wash or irrigation ditch a river. Even if you could get water to stay in a river or lake, evaporation takes it away at a rate faster than the speed of light.
“Why?” You ask.
Why would anyone try to grow stuff in a place with very little water? Because we do what it takes to have the best nutritional foods for the family. We buy groceries as needed, however, our most arduous effort is trying to grow fruits and veggies. It is worth the work to serve the best quality food we can grow ourselves.
Our Growing Strategy
We have a four part desert strategy. This was put in place to overcome the lack of water in our area.
It consists of rain water capture, several self-water containers, a grey water growing area, and in a future, we are planning on putting in a natural pond which will include an area for aqua-ponics.
Rain Water Capture
We capture rainwater from our roof for gravity feed delivery of water to parts of the garden. We store 630 gallons of water. We also have a pressured system to the garden (from the well) when the rainwater runs too low.
Self-watering Concept
The self-watering concept uses “wicking” to pull water up into the root system. The dirt sets on a filtered screen to keep from mixing with the water. The roots will reach down to the water level completing the process.
Construction
We recently produced a video showing the construction of a self-watering garden bed. We choose strawberries and blackberries as the fruit. It is one of three videos on self-watering. You can check it out when you get a chance.
Materials
- 40 each 4”x4”x12” slump blocks or 20 each 8” cinderblocks for the walls
- One half of a plastic 55-gallon drum (cut the long way through the middle)
- One livestock float style automatic filling switch
- 3 foot of garden hose with connectors
- Approximately 3 foot of 2” plastic pipe
- Rocks to fill to the top of 55-gallon drum
- Chicken wire or wire fencing
- Sun screen material or cut an old trampoline to fit
- Good fill dirt and compost
Directions
Select a plot of your garden near your water source and prepare the ground for the ½ section of the 55-gallon drum. You may have to carve out a section of dirt for the drum to set at a level height of water. Plan for the water level to be equal to or below your water source if you are using the gravity feed system. If you are using a pressured system, water level is not a consideration.
Place a couple rows of blocks around the drum for support. Put the livestock float switch on the end of the drum and connect the water system. Carefully set rocks in the drum to the suspected water level. As you place the rocks in the drum, put the 2” pipe vertically through the rocks. Begin filling with water until the switch shuts off. You may have to place additional rocks in or pull some rocks out to match the rocks and water at the same level.
***Here's Another Style Click Here***
Gary
December 2012
Partners
Resources
www.greenhomebuilding.com/adobe.htm
www.earthbagbuilding.com/articles.htm
www.earthbagplans.wordpress.com
We moved from the city to the country in 2005. Since then, we have been building structures, raising livestock and growing some of our own foods. We are crazy about family, nutrition and want the best for our growing family.
