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If you're interested in gardening with self watering containers, but still want to make use of your existing standard planters, here's a great way to convert all your planters into self watering containers. This project would also be good for gardeners interested in growing in self watering containers, but want something more visually attractive than storage totes.
To convert a standard planter into a self watering container you'll need a watertight container with a lid, this will act as the water reservoir, a tall water bottle, this will act as the fill tube, and 2 strips of fabric, these strips will draw water from the reservoir to the soil above.
Try to find a container that matches your planter in shape and width. I lucked out and found a bowl that just fit into a 16" diameter pot.
Mark the lid of the container with 1 large hole for the fill tube, 4 slits for the fabric strips, and a bunch of small holes for soil aeration.
Also, don't forget to add an overflow hole near the top edge of the water reservoir.
I used an electric drill to make the holes, but the plastic was soft enough that a sharp knife and elbow grease would have worked just as well.
Insert the spout of the water bottle into its hole on the lid and insert the fabric strips into the slits. Make sure the fabric strips are long enough to reach the bottom of the water reservoir.
If you're going to add a cage to the planter add it before you add the soil. Have the spokes of the cage pass through the air holes of the reservoir so that the cage rests at the bottom of the planter. A cage that rests at the bottom of a planter will be much more stable than a cage that sits in only the top half of the planter.
Before you add soil to the planter pre-moisten the fabric strips to kick start the water wicking process.
Top water the soil after it's added to the planter, then use the fill tube to fill the water reservoir. You can tell the water reservoir is full when water starts draining from the bottom of the planter. Add a tray to the bottom of the planter if it's staying indoors to catch the excess water.
If you like this idea, but aren't interested in doing it yourself, you can buy a pre-made version at
gardeners.com
. I
bought a few of these for the roof the first year I started gardening, before I discovered the fun of diy projects.
16" Planter: $7.62
Plastic Bowl with Lid: $2.18
Running Total: $123.75
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This just, well, freaking fantastic. Thanks for posting! I have just discovered the whole self-watering container thing a few months ago and actually just spent a pretty penny on one from Clean Air Gardening based on some good reviews I read on Mr. Brown Thumb's blog and elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I could have spent less money buying a large plastic pot and lidded bowl, like you did here. Well at least I can try to apply your idea to the two half wine barrels I just scored from my landlord! I was looking for something to take up space in the bottom of them anyway! Can't wait to give this a try!
Thanks from a fellow Brooklyn gardener!
Hi Aimee, I'm glad you found this post helpful!
ReplyDeleteThis is great and creative! I was going to go shopping for some pots soon so I will keep this in mind. (sorry typo deleted previous post).
ReplyDeleteHi Charm City, welcome back! How are your seedlings doing?
ReplyDeleteThey are cute, but teeny tiny. I think I need more light and a heat mat. I will get a real seed starting setup next year. This year, I plan to wait and see what happens with them. I probably will go to the farmer's market to get some grown plants so I will have some vegetables:)
ReplyDeleteI think my seedlings are stressed since I check up on them every morning;P Can't take the pressure.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for posting this! I think I will try using super-wicking micro-cloth (man-made chamois). What do you think?
Hi K, sounds go to me, go for it!
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS SIMPLY MADDDD! You are brilliant, i like that watertight container as the reservoir, simple but yeah, why didn't i think of that??? anyway, you solved my problem, i was planning to find a solution for a friend who wants a garden and i want to introduce him to self waterting container, i am doing it for sometime now with recycled PET water bottles but i want to do something more presentable and subtle as my friend is an executive and he have a nice house, so it has to fit. you are heavensent!!!!! thanks!
ReplyDelete