How To Build Self Watering Containers
There is a water storage tank usually at the bottom of the container which you fill.
How to build self watering containers. If you plan to have a container garden on your deck this spring and summer this is the perfect self watering planter for you. You can duct tape the basket to the bottom of the container but it s not necessary. Self watering planters are good for a wide variety of plants from a vigorously growing tomato plant in a patio garden to petite house plants. Self watering containers make growing fruits and veggies a breeze and are ideal for gardening in small spaces.
How to make a self watering container for the balcony. Carefully cut out the center of the lid to be used as the aeration shelf between the soil and the water chamber. Next place your wick in bucket to measure where you need to drill your drain hole in bucket which will be right below the top of the wick. Remove the center of the lid.
To determine where to put your planter floor add together your soil depth the flooring thickness and the height of the drain pipe and add an inch to that so the soil level will sit an inch below the top of the box. Put the wicking basket in the middle of the reservoir container. This one is quick simple and low cost 5. Cut an opening for the wicking basket.
Place your pipe in bucket or pot and cut down to size. There will be a little space between the wicking basket and the planting container. Let it come from about one inch to two inches above top of pot. Place the planting container in the reservoir container aligning the wicking basket with the hole in the middle.
This easy to make self watering container will take you about five minutes to put together and it s large enough for several plants. Self watering containers work on a reservoir system. The soil soaks up the water from the bottom so as long as you keep the reservoir filled your plants get a consistent level of moisture. And cut a block that length to mark the locations of the horizontal cleats and joists.
Just find the right size and style for your expected plant growth and you re set. There is an overflow hole so excess water simply drains away.