Wicking beds can be purchased, or made from recycled materials. The design of the wicking garden bed conserves water. Water is poured down the pipe into a reservoir. The water then slowly percolates upwards via the soil to the root zone of the plants, called wicking.  Plants are watered from below rather than from above.  Water is drawn to the roots, just where it is needed and when it is needed. Wicking beds are like self-watering systems.