Discover how this water-wise gardening method can help you grow thriving plants while making the most of every drop.

This introductory two-hour presentation explores how wicking beds work through the principle of capillary action, the benefits of creating a productive self-watering garden in South Australia, and the different ways a wicking bed can be constructed.

Wicking beds are garden beds with a built-in water reservoir beneath the soil. Water is added through a downpipe into the reservoir, where it gradually rises through the soil by capillary action, watering plants from below. This creates a more efficient watering system that can reduce water use, improve plant health, and help gardens remain productive during dry periods.

While the concept of wicking beds has existed for centuries, they are becoming increasingly relevant as South Australia faces ongoing water scarcity and the need for more sustainable gardening practices.

Kym Ormond has been working with wicking beds for more than eight years and has developed a practical understanding of what works best in local conditions. In this session, he will share the “tricks of the trade” he has learned through years of hands-on experience, along with insights from his introductory and full-day wicking bed workshops.

About the presenter

Kym Ormond is a community educator, permaculturist, and trained chef who teaches a wide range of sustainable living skills, including food preservation, sourdough bread baking, permaculture gardening, and other practical skills he has gathered over the years.

Kym is passionate about helping people reconnect with everyday knowledge that has gradually been lost over time, turning what he calls “uncommon sense” back into common-sense life skills. He began his career in commercial kitchens before moving into commercial farming, permaculture food-growing projects, and running his own plant nursery. Today, he combines his love of growing food and cooking to deliver sustainable living workshops that are practical, engaging, and accessible for all experience levels.

This session is hosted by the Victor Harbor Library and seeded by Green Adelaide.

Contact the host of Intro to Wicking Beds: Grow More With Less Water