what a great idea!

(looks like a giant African Violet pot!)

I tried both wicking beds and hugulkultur. The latter worked much, much better in dry San Antonio. I am expanding with that. It is easy to hide hugulkultur inside a traditional-looking raised bed, too, for ornery HOAs.

How nteresting that hugelkulture beds hold moisture in dry San Antonio. I'm not a big veggie gardener but have observed how gravity causes water to drain out of raised beds while this kind of bed built up into steep hills with logs, branches and other organic matter holds it. It kinda' works on the same principle as keyhole gardens.

Only thing is it wouldn't keep the rabbits out which is the problem the original poster is having.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hugelkultur article ...

I, can show you how to build a SIP ( Sub-Irrigated Planter ) that you can easily raise off the ground to a wheelchair working height that will meet ADA specs of 34", Or even taller so that a elderly person that can't kneel down can garden.

No, rocks in the water reservoir, No sour smells from the reservoir from rotting saturated soil.