What type of plastic are the WickBox™ components made from, and are they safe to grow vegetables in?
The WickBox™ components are made from Polypropylene (PP) plastic. “PP is widely available and comparatively affordable. Its properties make it an ideal material for resistant, robust products and durable goods. These include housewares, utensils, sportswear, toys, and medical and laboratory equipment for industrial applications”. WickBox™ components can be made from virgin plastic, or from a mixture of recycled plastic with 30% virgin plastic. The virgin plastic can be assured to be food-grade. No assurance regarding the food-grade nature of recycled plastic can be given. However, having said that regular testing of water in contact with recycled batches will be taken to ensure they are safe. We are investigating the possibility of making the components from carbon negative bioplastic which will hopefully be possible soon.
Does the WickBox™ kit include everything needed to assemble the box?
Yes, everything required to assemble the box is included in the kit. You will however need to separately purchase the growing medium (compost + other additives of your choice), as well as the plants of your choice.
Please explain the assembly process and how long it will take?
The assembly process is undertaken in the following steps:
- Open the box that your WickBox™ is packaged in (Please re-use, recycle or compost the used packaging box).
- Unpack all the components, making piles for the different components.
- Select 1 corner connector, 1 side-wall and 1 connector rod. Interlock the sidewall into the side-connector, and then push the connector rod through the tunnel formed where the sidewall and corner connector interleave into one another.
- Select a straight connector and a connecting rod. Join the straight connector to the side-panel until they interlock, and then secure the two components by pushing the connector rod into the tunnel formed by the two connected components.
- Select a new sidewall and connector rod. Connect the sidewall to the other side of the straight connector, and secure with the connector rod.
- Select a new corner connector and connecting rod and secure them. Continue to connect the sidewalls to the straight and corner connectors until you have secured them all.
- Place the connected box on top of the reservoir. Make sure the two units fit snugly into one-another.
- Push the Connector Rods into the holes in the reservoirs flange until you hear a click.
- Place the 4 wicking trays into the inside base of the reservoir.
- Fill the WickBox™ with a growing medium of your choosing. Mel’s mix (being one third compost, one third coco coir or peat moss and one third vermiculite) is recommended.
- Use the grid clips to secure the grid to the assembled WickBox™.
- Plant your seeds, seedlings, or cuttings into the SFG grid cells following the Square Foot Gardening guidelines.
Use the SFG App for guidance and inspiration. Assembling the box will take you less than ten minutes.
What growing material do you recommend we use in the box?
We recommend that you follow Mel Bartholomew’s “recipe”, also known as Mel’s Mix, which is one third compost, one third coco coir or peat moss and one third vermiculite. Learn more about Mel’s Mix here: https://squarefootgardening.org/mels-mix-resources/. If finances are tight, or if you are unable to get access to vermiculite (or perlite as a substitute for vermiculite), it is possible to grow your crops in 100% high quality compost.
What are the dimensions of the flat-packed box and of the assembled unit?
The WickBox™ flat packs to 71cm x 71cm x 15cm (28 inches x 28 inches x 6 inches) and weighs less than 10Kg. The exact weight will depend if you have included castor wheels and possibly other components in your order.
Do castor wheels come standard with the WickBox™?
No, the castor wheels need to be ordered as add-on items. They do not form part of the standard WickBox™ unit.
Are spares available for the SFG Box?
Yes, you can order spares (or additional components). You can order components to make your own tailored SFG raised bed units.
Are we able to customise our own non-self watering Square Foot Gardens using some of the WickBox™ components?
Yes, you can order components to make your own tailored SFG raised bed units. It will be possible for example to order the components to make a 4 x 6 grid non-self-watering SFG raised bed as is shown in the diagram below.
If I need to decant water out of the reservoir, will it mess over my floor?
We highly recommend that you use either castors or legs (which you purchase as additional add-on items) for WickBox™ used indoors. This helps to raise the box off the ground. The elevation of the WickBox™ will enable you to place an empty container (e.g., a bowl, cup, tray etc.,) under the WickBox™ reservoir outlet. To decant some water, simply loosen the outlet screw, and the water will start to flow through the outlet. The decanting process is quick, easy, and mess-free. To stop the decanting process simply tighten the outlet screw.
If the WickBox™ is self-watering (self-irrigating), is any form of conventional watering required?
The self-watering mechanism works well for plants with established root systems. Established roots penetrate deep into the WickBox™, and are able to draw the water through the growing medium towards the root network. Seeds, young seedlings and/or cuttings will require conventional watering until such stage that the roots are well developed.
If my natural lighting is poor indoors, can I use grow lights with the WickBox™?
Yes, you will be able to use grow lights with the WickBox™. We however do not produce, nor do we sell grow lights. There are many grow light options on the market. We will leave it up to you to research the various options available, and to order/purchase from the vendors selling the grow-lights.
Can I grow cannabis in a WickBox™?
Yes, for sure you can. The self-watering nature of the WickBox™ will help your cannabis plants to thrive!
Can I grow small fruit trees in WickBox™?
Yes, for sure you can. We do recommend dwarf fruit trees, unless your ceiling is very high, and you are happy for your fruit to grow to a large size.
Can I add nutrients into the water stored in the reservoir?
Yes, for sure you can. Remember that it is quick and easy to decant the water in the reservoir. The implication is that if you do have nutrients in the reservoir water, you can flush it out easily if you need to.
Will the water in the reservoir not go stagnant and start to smell bad?
It will be a very unusual situation for the water to go stagnant and to start smelling foul. In the rare event that this does happen, simply flush the foul water out, and top up with new fresh water.
Will an elderly or young person be able to carry the flat-packed WickBox™ package?
The weight of the flat-packed WickBox™ kit is less than 10Kg (22.5 pounds). It will depend on the strength and the physical condition of the person to answer this question. Most young and elderly people will in our opinion be able to easily carry the flat-packed WickBox™ unit.
Will an elderly or young person be able to assemble the WickBox™?
It will depend on the strength and the physical condition of the person to answer this question. Most young and elderly people will in our opinion be able to easily assemble the WickBox™.
What components are included in the WickBox™ kit?
- Reservoir with Sight Level Gauge (x1)
- Wicking Trays (x4)
- Soil Wall (x8)
- Straight Connector (x4)
- Corner Connector (x4)
- Grid (x1)
- Connector Rod (x16)
- Filler Pipe (x1)
How much research and development has gone into the WickBox™?
Several years of research and development have taken place in the design and development of the WickBox™. We are continuously testing with an ever increasing range of plants and in various climates and conditions.
How long will the WickBox™ last?
The plastic components are ulta-violet (UV) stabilized and are extremely durable. The WickBox™ should last for many years, if not decades.