Visitors at the 2026 Machakos ASK Show were treated to an inspiring demonstration of a simple but highly effective farming innovation known as the Wick Garden. The project was presented by Joseph Ndeto, who explained how the technology borrows from the scientific principle of capillarity to provide plants with a steady supply of water without the need for pumps or frequent irrigation.
The Wick Garden is a self-irrigating system designed to help farmers and households grow crops efficiently while conserving water. The innovation consists of a planting container filled with soil and connected to a water reservoir through a wick made from absorbent cotton cloth or rope. Through capillary action, water moves naturally from the reservoir up the wick and into the soil, ensuring that plant roots receive the moisture they need for healthy growth.
According to Ndeto, the system eliminates the need for constant watering because the plants draw water as required. This makes the Wick Garden particularly useful in areas experiencing water shortages and for people with limited time to tend their crops.
One of the major advantages of the Wick Garden is its affordability. It can be constructed using locally available materials such as plastic containers, buckets, cotton cloth, and soil. The system requires no electricity or fuel, making it environmentally friendly and accessible to many households.
The innovation is ideal for growing vegetables such as spinach, sukuma wiki, lettuce, coriander, and other leafy crops. It can also be used in schools, urban homes, balconies, and small kitchen gardens where space is limited.
As climate change continues to challenge food production, innovations such as the Wick Garden offer practical solutions for sustainable agriculture. By combining basic science with everyday materials, the technology demonstrates how simple ideas can transform farming, save water, reduce labour, and improve household food security.
