The Eco House & Garden team recently visited Narraweena Public School to work with students engaged with the School Kitchen Garden program. Narraweena Public School were recipients of a Department of Education Sustainable Schools Grant for Wicking Bed Kits, soil and manures from Australian Native Landscapes to install with the students.
The Eco House & Garden team ran two sessions explaining the principles of wicking beds (self-watering garden beds) before commencing the build with students and staff. Students learnt how to use a spirit level, construct a water reservoir, explored Perlite (a volcanic glass that is a great wicking medium with lightweight and high-water holding properties), and how to use it with WaterUps wicking cells to create a wick. It was all hands-on deck once the Wicking Bed Kit was set up to fill it with Australian Native Landscapes Premium Potting Mix and Super 6 manure with a 4:1 ratio. The final step was to fill the water reservoir which will allow the plants to wick up the water they require saving up to 60-70% water use for the school. Lots of fabulous opportunities for Numeracy, Technology and Science discussion throughout the process. The students are planning on consulting with the canteen as to which plants would be useful to grow in their two new wicking bed gardens.
Feedback from organising teacher, Georgia Gibson
“It was such a great day and so informative and engaging for the students.
Loving our new wicking beds and I’ve already heard about teachers running lessons out there, showing their class the beds!”
