Love fresh veggies but consider yourself a brown thumb? Got no time to look after plants spring/summer? Never fear, the Vegepod is one of the most water-efficient raised garden beds out there and, if you set up your system right, you may never again have to water your veggies by hand. Ever.
Read on to discover the different features of the Vegepod (wicking bed, misting sprays, a permeable cover) that cause it to be super water efficient.
The Wicking System
The Vegepod has a ‘wicking bed design’. Basically, this means there’s a hole at the base of the Pod where water trickles into as you water plants from above.
The water sits in the hole (also known as a ‘reservoir’) and later on, through a capillary action, the water ‘climbs up’ or ‘wicks’ up into the soil, hydrating the plant roots and creating a self-watering cycle.
This ‘wicking’ makes the Vegepod much more water efficient and there’s the added benefit that soil nutrients are not ‘washed out’ but rather recycled back in.
Worried about too much water in the ‘wicking well’. Don’t be! The Vegepod has a small overflow hole on the side of the base so the water doesn’t collect.
Vegepod’s Misting Sprays
Image: @gardening_with_grace
We’ve also created a system for watering from above! The Vegepod cover comes with mist sprays (or ‘misters’) that you attach to the garden cover’s frame. Once attached, all you have to do is connect the sprays to a hose and your seedlings are gently sprayed.
If you really want to ‘set and forget’ your watering, you can add a timer to the hose to create an automatic spraying system! Just remember to change the timer depending on the weather and seasons.
Other Ways to Water the Vegepod
Thought that was it? Hang on, there are a few more ways to water the Pod! You can also manually water e.g. from a watering can. Alternatively, you can let mother nature water take over as the cover is permeable to air, wind, and rain.
When to Water the Vegepod
When the Vegepod first arrives: For newly planted seedlings, we recommend using the gentle sprays and watering for a good five minutes each day. This will help soak the soil, establish the plant’s roots, and fill up the water reservoir.
Once your seedlings establish: We recommend using a hose timer so the sprays water for two minutes each day. If it’s the height of summer, keep watering them for longer. If it’s cold and rainy, the Vegepod can actually go for weeks at a time without watering (keeping in mind they are being watered by the heavens).
How do YOU Water the Vegepod?
Do you prefer to manually water or use the misters and mother nature? Comment below and let us know! If you have any questions about setting up spraying, the wicking bed, or Vegepod’s self-watering nature, don’t hesitate to contact us or check out our FAQ page.
