🌽Building (Gardening With Leon's) Wicking Tubs 💦 DIY 🌱 Detailed Instructions 👀 

Love "Gardening with Leon". Thanks for the video.

This landscape fabric method is a great simple way to do this without needing to cut a false bottom from another container. Thanks for sharing

Glad I saw this video. You explain very well. I want to give this a try this year with my tomatoes.

I got an Earth Box for Christmas because of the video you made. I've known about wicking boxes for years now but never tried them.

Thanks for sharing your gardening tips.

Looking good . I saw Leon making those tubes . He has a lot of great ideas . You can move those tubes where ever you want to . Good for growing thing like mint because mint will take over your garden . Roots are like runners and they go every where . Daniel at the Armes Family even made some tubes just using water . He didn't do so well with those because of the heat . Be interesting to see how you set up your automatic watering system .

Thank you for sharing I enjoyed the video have a great day and take care

Love this video You did a great job explaining and demonstrating this concept.

Love Gardening with Leon- family is in Texas-- I have been telling them to use these

Thank you for the details in building it, you nailed it sir. I've watched Leon and another you tuber ref. Leon's, but both left me wonder where I should drill the drainage hole and where I should place my water tube.

Thanks for sharing this.

I really think you will like the tubs! Leon is a great guy and he sure knows his gardening!

I loved using up those milk cartons in my planters instead of having to buy a plastic platform.

HI I just learned something new today. I am not understanding the science behind it yet, I have to do more research. I am very new to gardening and I just subscribed to your channel. Eager to learn more. I watched your blackberry Prime Ark freedom videos. I am about to plant them. I just bought them and will be planting them soon. I live in zone 9 i hope it is ok to do so now. Looking forward to learn more from everyone!! thank you

Those are nice! I have some 55 gallon drums I cut in half for my blackberries. I might just try this. Where did you get your potting soil from? Thank you for all the content you put out. We are on a slow but sure process of clearing and planting our space, and folks like you add clarity and direction to our efforts with your videos.

I ran across your channel researching Blackberries. I found Leon's wicking tubs a few years ago but what I do has been working great for 20+ yrs so I don't see a need to change. What I do is use 5gal buckets for tomatoes and peppers. I just drill a few1/4 in. drain holes about 1in from the bottom and fill with potting mix. Heck, some still have the original potting mix in them ofcoarse I do have to add some each year. My thought originally was to hold an inch of water in the bottom to wick when it gets dry and drain any water above that level. I do water with automatic watering system from the top giving them a quart of water every 12 hours. I also have a Satsuma tree in a 18 gal tud designed the same way and it's doing great too. I'm no way bashing the wicking tubs but just throwing this out there for the folks that can't afford the expense of making a true wicking tub. A five gal bucket is only 3 or 4 dollars and works great for tomatoes and peppers. However I will be making wicking tubs when I put in my thornless berry patch next spring.

I am so excited to have found your channel and subscribed! I'm a newbie (60 years young) starting a backyard nursery for blackberries and possibly Chicago Hardy Figs. This tub is the ticket! Thank you and God Bless! - Kurt

I can’t find the video where you are addressing the mosquito problem but , I have followed your directions on making the tubs and will put a piece of the fabric that covers the pipe on the hybrid tubs over the 1/2” weep hole pipe that runs out the side of mine to prevent entrance. Will also just put a removable cap on the fill tube up top. Thought I would give you a suggestion ! Thanks for your videos !

I appreciate knowing about the soil volume/gallons! That helps a lot right there. My question is what is purpose of the lime? Love Leon’s videos but I learned some new understanding after watching your video.

To save garden clothe, consider capping the ends of the drain pipes with garden clothe and zip ties. Then for the base layer, use vermiculite and peat moss for the wicking mix. Place the drain tube inside one of your drain pipes. Lastly, add potting mix for the plants on top of the peat moss vermiculite mix. No need for the fill tube. Just water the plant until water comes put of the drain tube.

There are many variations to set up a wicking type tub or self watering container, as that is what they are. You variation is a little different than Mr. Leons and thats fine. Mr. Leon even went to using plastic bottles instead of pipe. If you are not fortunate to have access to those awesome cattle feed tubs, you can use other tubs you can purchase from big box stores. Even the heavier duty Rubbermaid storage container bottoms will work for veggies growing, but not good for trees.

Happy Leon's work appealed to you! He is a super friendly guy.

(mind blown sound here) OK. I have been using the cloth grow-pots (they're fantastic) but they can dry out rapidly due to the air circulation around the bag. I was setting up a (plastic) 1/2 barrel for a gardenia and I was looking for more soil at the base. I had an empty grow bag that was sitting about and I thought; if I half-buried the bag into the barrel I would get that much more soil from the raised tier. The grow bag fit perfectly into the barrel with about 2" between the walls of bag/barrel. I drilled some holes around the base to allow for drainage with the expectation that the growbag would wick the deeper water back up to the higher root zone. It also acts as an indicator as to the dry-state of the barrel. I really like this arrangement and was looking to do it again but your video has sent me into hard-ponder mode. Thank you for the inspiration! :)

I enjoyed your video. Wish you would do one for tomato’s. Also, how do you tell when it’s time to water? Thanks again

I saw a video plant a tree in the ground make wicking in ground put rocks tubs and fertilizer

My only concern would be contamination from the plastic sock covered tubes. 5gallon buckets can be bought in food grade but the drain lines could be a hazardous material that contaminate the plants and hence the fruit

Well I thought that I would add my two cents that may save you more than two cents. The drain holes are about the size of a regular pencil not an elementary pencil size. Ok next I know where the top hole is for the bucket drainage for air space. Plus everyone knows that have done this method knows you have to water till your plants reach the moist soil that is wet. If not your plant will die unless you get lucky and get a few perfect rains. Now my two cents. If you listen to Leon he talked about to much water from heavy rains that will water log the roots and your plant will mot survive. Here is the solution if you can’t take them inside to avoid flooding of the container. First I put four or five pencil size holes an inch above the bottom of the bucket. On all these holes I place a square of electrical tape over them but make sure the bucket is dry. If you already have flooded buckets just drill these holes and empty the water logged soil. There will be plenty of moisture left. I went ahead and put a hole half way up as well to facilitate getting rid of the water logged bucket. Remember to put tape over the holes when your finished. But leave your original holes open. I see some people putting to pvc white pipes down them. Just make sure that you cut them at a 45 degree angle towards the bottom outside from around 2 up from the bottom. Them cover with ground cloth the black cheap stuff. Then wrap then around the cloth but leave hole with no tape on if. I also help the air space in the bottom soil with styrofoam peanuts to take up space. I turn the pvc pipe to the side away from the soil and there is usually a few peanuts in from where the soil can retard the inflow of water going to the bottles with holes. Just one more thing put the oven pipe opposite your bucket handle. The only real problem is plant diseases and plant bugs snd other pests. Stop this early and try to keep your cucumber, zucchini, and other vine plants leafs from getting wet except by rain. These buckets are great. I tried the tubs but Leon forgot to mention it to us a opaq one or clear one and that was just terrible. Plus if you live in Florida or a hot area like 80+ the hole day and then 90’s & 100’s you knee shade half the day. The opposite side of the house or shed or some kind of netting or old plywood but paint it to keep from warping. Good luck! Oh you don’t need to totally fill it when you start because your soil will float up and over the sides. Water the top and put in a little at a time.

Thanks for this video! Just wondering why you are using the drainage pipes instead of milk jugs? With the milk jugs and coke bottles you don't have to buy a thing right? I imagine the landscape fabric and drainage pipes cost a bit?

That weed barrier looks like the row covers that I use. If it’s the same, it’s like a tarp and water will not penetrate it very well if at all.

New subscriber! I'm going to either make these, or the galvanized ones another RU-vidr posted. I love the self wicking concept, and your Blackberries went absolutely crazy!! I live in Colorado, so I know I have to be extremely careful of which variety blackberries to get that will thrive in this environment. My question is, will the plastic tubs leech toxic chemicals into the soil over time? According to the research I've done on the galvanized tubs, they can eventually leech trace amounts of zinc and cadmium into the soil, but its at such trace amounts that it isn't cause for concern.

Thank you for the video. I've seen several of these types and others before, and have made them in the past. Is there a major advantage to using the ground cover/liner over simply covering the corrugated pipe with vermiculite/moss and or sand - for wicking (besides the pipes getting soil in them)? I had made mine with the pipe covered by soil, but had the pipes' ends enclosed in fabric with an overflow tube tucked inside the pipe at ~ 3". Also, do you cover the pvc pipe fill tube top to keep bugs and whatnot out in between waterings? I kept getting spiders and bugs in mine... Thank you again for your efforts, these videos are very much appreciated.

At 73 I do not want to fight the Tiller anymore. This looks great. Can I use a rain barrel to feed them?

Where can I buy the BM7? Bought my trees at Bob Wells. Having a hard time finding the BM7. Love your channel.

Alan , what is your procedure for getting the tubs ready to plant vegetables in the 2nd year ?

I couldn’t find the landscape material. So I used sand bags from true value. I used 2 sandbags in each tub. Hope it works. Don’t know the lifespan of the bags but more sturdy than the cheap landscape material.

Just wondering how long you leave your fruit trees in those containers... great video

I have some of that black pipe laying around still from my dads stash when he was alive and running his business, but it’s solid and doesn’t have the drainage slits in it can that be used or do I need to get the kind with slits in it! I wish I had access to those tubs our cattle farmer friends told me our feed store doesn’t sell that type of product in the bucket anymore so they no longer have them.

Would the bm7 work for earth box vegetables as well? I have a hand headed to nursery at Bullard now. What fertilizer would you add to the earth box vegetables? Would you add any to the Fruit tree lick tubs? Last question, source for the 4” pipe?

I've never heard of wicking tubs, do they prevent over watering? I'm learning here and have just subbed and clicked for notification. I too in Texas. Tfs!

Great Video, I have 3 questions, 1. What size hole do you drill for the drain hole? 2. What diameter fill tubes do you use, I have some ¾ pvc lying around, but what size is your filler....3. You mention putting 1 lb lime for fruit trees, what amendments do you use for blackberries and also veggies like peppers or tomatoes or beans? is it a different mix for every veggie if so do you have a guide?

You must be getting close to 60😂 My knees pop like your does every time I squat!

Can you list what to look for when purchasing the ground cover material? I had bought some from Lowes, but it's not the same as what you are using. I'm not sure how long it will last or if it matters. I do have an endless supply of tubs, haha! We have cattle and have many tubs sitting around!

I think the fabric will work it's way down into the bottom of the tub, and allow the soil to touch the water. Will that allow water to wick into the soil too fast? (I was amazed how my wicking beds' poly was pulled down from the sides as my beds' soil got heavy. On my channel, "what didn't work").

Wondering about the cost of buying soil, plus the fertilizer! One thing I did learn is bagged soils and fertilizer is sooo expensive it's not worth growing my own food!

Great videos on the wicking tubs and the use of your earthboxes throughout your garden. We started using the earthboxes this year, and have had the worst experience with mosquitoes and can only assume they are breeding in the water reservoir of the earthboxes. Have you experienced the same and if so, have you been able to prevent this from happening? Thank you for sharing.

When watering do use straight water Or do use Hydroponic fertilizer mix in the water

Where did you get BM7 in Texas? I don’t see any Texas sales locations on their website (I’m in the DFW area)

Where did you get those colorful planters ? How many inches is the blue ? Thanks

What kind of orange tree can we grow in zone 8, I think that is where you are also.

Leon hooked me on milk jugs and water bottles, I understand a fruit tree would be in the container much longer than veggies. ..

Great video. Why/how does this work? Thanks for the tutorials. I want a blackberry hedge.

Can perennial trees/plants handle below freezing temps in these tubs, or will they need to be insulated?

I'm in Australia is that liner plastic or sarlon liner with holes in it hard to see what your doing

Wonder why Leon doesn’t use landscape fabric when using soda pop bottle wicking tubs

How much water do you put in it at the beginning? Also how often and how do you you water?

I suppose large drinking water pipe with holes drilled into it could replace the non rated drain pipe. The filter sock I don't know. 7:59

Epsom salts don't prevent BER

how much life do you get out of those tubs in the hot Texas summer sun? what ph level are you trying to achieve in the potting soil by adding lime?

What potting mix do you use and/or do you gave a diy mix?

I built 1 tub last year as an experiment for growing my tomatoes. It worked like a charm. The plant grew really well and I hardly had to water, especially with the rain helping out. I plan to build more this spring.

How do you water after planting?

I’m in N Texas - what type of orange tree did you find that works ?

What landscape fabric do you use

I love the tubs shown here in Leon's videos - but I can't find them anywhere. Do you know who sells them on-line?

I watched Leon's videos too. I dont understand one thing in your guide: You are not allowing the soil to touch the water from the sides. How can the soil wick up the water if it is not touching it? Thanks

I'm not sure that I understand the purpose of the ground cover barrier. Won't the potting soil naturally wick to the roots?

Brand new to gardening and built these containers. My question is after the dirt and fertilizer is in…I transplant some lettuce. How long do I water from the top until the wicking catches up to the new transplant? Another question is sowing seeds directly into this pot. How long do I water from the top until the wicking takes over watering my direct sow seeds? Any advice is appreciated. I am probably over-thinking, but stuck on these 2 questions.

I'm doing 8 of these this year for the first time. What I'm having a problem understanding is how the roots get the benefit of air pruning. Leon has mentioned this as well. There is the top inch of air always in the pipe when the water drains, but the roots don't have a way to access the air/water directly. Am I missing something? The roots definitely don't have a chance to hit air when using the milk jugs and not using the fabric.

where can u get those buckets at? i cant find them anywhere

How long you cut the tube in the bottom the long and short

I need the buckets ? they use 55 gal 1/2 cut metal drums here !

i have had issues with blossom end rot on my beefsteak tomatoes. The cherry tomatoes have no issues. I checked my ph and it was actually high (between 8.3 and 8.7 on all nine of them). I just put some cal/mag on it, added a ph reducer and sprayed them with the blossom rot spray. Any other suggestions? I keep hearing it eventually "corrects itself" but I don't understand how or why. I will admit that cattle tub growing produce a huge plant. This has been a ridiculously hot and dry summer and I do water regularly on top of keeping the tubs filled.

Do you think you could use 2 rows of 4 inch pipe and have the drain hole at 7 inches? I was hoping this would extend then time needing water.

Does that material allow water to come through to the soil.

I’m missing something...how does it wick when you have landscape fabric separating the soil from the water?

There’s a lot of controversy about using Epson salt in your garden. A lot of people say it makes blossom end rot worse. I haven’t ever tried it so I can’t testify about it myself.

Can you use long coil of drain pipe instead of short pieces?

Can I use perforated pipe if I don’t have corrugated???

Alan, did you say how long to cut the 4" pipe? Or how do I determine the lengths?

What size is your wicking bucket?

I made the wicking tubs but I am having trouble with the water getting really stinky. Do you think I put the holes too high. There is about 2 inches of airspace above the drainage tile but my holes are up 6-7 inches. The strawberries look great in them otherwise but I worry that things are going to go sour with the smelly water.

Your have shown me a better way of gardening. I'm 67 yrs old disabled, retired suffering with chronic back pain from Arthritis. Been container gardening for 3 yrs. Many problems watering and weeds mainly. I've been wondering if I could use containers to grow fruit trees for my yard where I rent without being invasive. K won't have to watch other do what I enjoy doing. Thank you for the info keep teaching.

I just got my first 5 gallon wicking tub set up but I think I went too high with the drain hole. I've got mine at 5 inches to the drain hole and the water bottles inside have holes at 6 inches at the top of water bottles. Will I be ok? Or do I need to drop my drain hole??

How does the water wick up to the garden clothe if it's not touching it? I don't understand.

Ok, with these ribs how often do we need to water??

is there anywhere you can buy the tubs

Did you have a lot of success using the wicking tubs?. Do you have a review/update video??.

I'm looking for the landscape fabric. There ate lots on Amazon. How do I know which know which one to get? What is an appropriate price for 100 ft or 300 ft? Thank you

How much water do you put in pipe

How do you tell when to water?

Where did you get your tubs?

Where can I purchase the buckets?

How do one knows when to water?

What exactly is the plastic you are covering your pipes with ??? And where can I purchase

Epsom salt ( magnesium sulfate) doesn't prevent end rot !!!!! End rot is a calcium deficiency, use dolomite lime or gypsum for calcium

Where can you find those tubs?

My question is how many years do those tubs last before starting to get brittle and break?

Is the the corrugated tube solid or perforated?

WHERE do you get the tubs???

What is the name of the orange tree?