Self-watering and wicking gardens can help keep plants thriving through summer while reducing the time spent watering.
A wicking bed stores water in a reservoir beneath the soil. Moisture moves upwards through the growing medium as plants need it, while an overflow outlet prevents the reservoir from becoming overfilled.
Other self-watering options include built-in irrigation systems to deliver water directly to plants and smart moisture sensors that can keep track of soil temperature and moisture and adjust watering as needed.
From large timber beds to compact containers and vertical gardens, Bunnings Workshop community members have created many clever self-watering systems. Get inspiration from their garden projects below.
1. Wicking raised garden bed by @Maursie
A corrugated L-shaped metal garden bed was converted into a wicking bed by adding a pond liner reservoir beneath the soil. Shadecloth separates the gravel from the growing medium, while an overflow fitting is positioned just above the top of the reservoir. Pea straw helps retain moisture.
2. Wicking bed using Cypress Pine by @wickwellgardens
Building an entire bed from timber allows you to customise its size, height and appearance. This Cypress Pine raised garden bed was built using three 150mm-wide boards joined with brackets and bolts. The interior was lined with a food-grade pond liner and slotted agricultural pipe was laid across the base and surrounded with scoria to create the reservoir.
3. Raised wicking garden bed using Ekodeck composite boards by @Adam_W
An elevated garden bed can make gardening more comfortable while also becoming an attractive feature like this wicking bed beneath a bedroom window. A sturdy timber frame supports the lined reservoir and growing medium. Composite decking boards were then installed around the outside using concealed fixings, while aluminium angles and fibre-cement trim provide a neat finish around the corners and top edge.
4. Upcycled greenhouse with wicking beds fed from roof by @MrBJDavis
This award-winning upcycling project has rainwater collected from the greenhouse roof directed into wicking beds, reducing the need to refill the reservoir from a tap. Drainage pipe and stones form the reservoir, with permeable fabric, sand and soil installed above. An overflow controls the water level.
5. Low-maintenance garden with raised wicking pots by @KTW
Individual self-watering containers can be easier to build and rearrange than one large garden bed. Member KTW used 20-litre food-grade buckets and larger tubs filled gravel, perlite and scoria. Potting mix above supports growing herbs, vegetables and even fruit trees. Custom timber stands bring the containers closer to waist height, helping reduce bending and making the garden more accessible.
6. Bunnings planter with wicking system by @Jamespeter100
Creative member James converted an inexpensive raised planter box into a wicking bed using recycled six-cell seedling punnets positioned upside down to create a void beneath the growing medium. A plastic liner holds water in the base, while microfibre material extends between the reservoir and soil to act as a wick. An overflow hole prevents the reservoir from becoming too full and poly pipe hoops to support greenhouse plastic or shade cloth for pest and sun protection.
7. Self-watering planters on tiered stands by @IDIG
Ready-made self-watering planters can be combined with a custom stand to maximise growing space in a small backyard. Workshop member IDIG positioned nine compact planters on a three-tier galvanised stand, allowing each row to receive sunlight without taking up much ground space. The planters are used for vegetables, herbs and fruit, including an espaliered fig tree.
8. Self-watering raised garden beds by @marianna0207
A garden bed does not need an underground reservoir to water itself. A tap timer and drip irrigation can provide an effective alternative, like Marianna installed for her budget edible garden using recycled pallets from her local Bunnings. The beds were partly filled using the Hügelkultur method before soil was divided into square-foot planting sections. A three-zone tap timer controls separate watering areas, with poly pipe supplying drip tubing and individual valves allowing each bed to be adjusted.
9. Automated irrigation system for Colorbond garden beds by @richard_s
Smart irrigation can use information from soil-moisture sensors to help determine when a garden needs water. Richard installed a poly pipe watering system for his raised garden beds, with smaller branch lines delivering water to adjustable spray heads. Each bed has an individual inline valve, allowing its watering level to be controlled separately. The system was initially operated with a conventional timer but later upgraded with a smart valve connected to a gateway and mobile app, with a moisture sensor installed in each bed.
10. Vertical garden with built-in watering system by @kel
An integrated irrigation line can make a space-saving vertical garden easier to maintain, particularly when the upper plants are difficult to reach. Judy’s vertical garden features angled timber planting boxes attached to the fence. Poly pipe runs along the top and centre of the garden, with misting sprays distributing water from a rainwater tank throughout the planters.
How to build a wicking garden bed
Experienced Bunnings Workshop community member Adam has provided a thorough explanation of the benefits of a wicking bed and a step-by-step guide How to build a wicking garden bed with a full list of tools and materials required. The bed is 2400mm x 1200mm x 500mm, allowing for 100mm of gravel, 300mm of soil and a layer of mulch.
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