In this DIY project, I will show you how to build a self-watering container for your vegetable gardening. You can visit my blog http://www.getforked.ca to see this project progress. There are many benefits to container gardening and this project takes it one step further. An internal reservoir allows the soil to naturally wick up water to the roots of the plant. Top gardening tips will tell you to never let your plants get too dry. with this system this is not a problem. This reservoir, combined with a weed shield, really reduces the maintenance needs of your outdoor growing.
Planting a vegetable garden is rewarding when to get to eat the fruits of your labor, however, some planing can be tricky. Growing tomatoes and peppers can be a challenge but a self-watering planter such as the one I build here will make it a breeze. At the end of this video I will also show you how to plant and grow tomatoes in this system. One of my favourite aspects of this self-watering container gardening is that it is well suited for Off-grid project, as their is no need for power.
This is an inexpensive project and you may have most of the materials you need on-site. Here is a list if you are going to start from scratch.
Tools:
Drill and drill bits
Hose cutter
7/8th hole saw
Knife
Parts:
Zip ties
Clear hose with ½ inch internal diameter
½ inch rubber grommet
½ inch 90 degree pressure fit irrigation connector
3, 5, or 7 gallon bucket and lid (in this case I used a 7 gallon bucket)
4 inch net pot (You can find these anywhere they sell pond supplies or from a hydroponics supply store)
Sharpie
Black garbage bag
Compost
Perlite
Peat moss
Fertilizer
Seedling
50 Comments
Not self watering add a funnel 2 your clear hose 2 catch rain water or just use a regular black plastic pot with drain holes it's cheaper
I've watched about five videos on this self watering container. Maybe it was just me, but I didn't understand them. Your video was very concise and perfect. I now know why the fill hole is there and the drain.. I'm sharing your video, with others. I think the others, felt they were talking to gardeners already. You handled it, so those who have never dug a hole. could grasp the concept. I'm also subscribing.. Thank you, for your video.. Next growing season I can have my hot peppers without the fear. of cross pollination.
Great job😉 thank you for sharing.
I was wondering how you were going to secure the weed barrier, string rubber band, etc, and then you use the ring from the lid! Great Idea!
How is this Self Watering ???? you still must add h2o when its empty ….''''''''
Not miracle grow
Buck 5gal.
That’s not Pete Moss, it’s Pete
I saw a similar set up where instead of a hydroponic bucket/ strainer used in the bottom, they used a cheap dollar store colander. Saved a little bit of money and did the same thing.
Not sure which would work better as both are fairly wide and allow for a good amount of root growth & water wicking
Very well done! Thanks for taking the time to make and post. I greatly appreciate the wisdom.
Nice
Awesome, I thought u were putting the clear rubber hose to reuse the water that drains to go back into the pot, not sure if enough pressure but seems that if u use one tube to put water in and attach the hose to the overflow and bring it back to the top the overflow would then go back up into the pot ? Could this be done ?
Brilliant .I hav small space to grow things and also thinking how to recycle ringing water from the washing machine.
Could a person plant 2 bell pepper plants in 1 of these self watering bucket planters?
I made it by myself. I used Avasva solutions for that.
im sure you'll build it yourself. I made it 2 weeks ago thanks to Avasva website.
liked this
Man puts miracle gro on compost…my heart hurts
Can you hadd lots of hole on the bucket to had air pruning to the systeme !?? Would that help you think ??
What keeps the soil from getting into the water reservoir?
What in the blue hell kind of grommet was that lol. No eternal struggle? Just lay it on the side wtf
I THOUGHT THERE WAS NO SOIL INVOLVED
Several problems with your setup. Number one, how are your roots going to get oxygen? Usually you maintain about a 1" airspace above the water reservoir to oxygenate the roots. Second of all, I think the perlite will inhibit wicking. I think pure peat moss or coire would be a better choice to top of the cup and a core slightly above it as a wick. Next, how is the fertilizer going to disolve if not watered in? You have the top sealed from water intrusion. That tomato seedling should also have been planted deeper, it was pretty leggy! Personally, I would have tested the wicking capability before planting anything in it. Please refer to Leon's grow tub vids about the air space. It's needed or your roots will drown and your plant die.. Just a few observations, all of which can be adapted in your design.
Nice
Thanks dear
https://youtu.be/fbL3ovbJFdI can you watch my video and let me know if my set up will be successful?
Nice video
There is nothing to prevent the growing medium (soill mix) from getting into the water. There is too much space around the edge of the disc allowiing the soil mix to get into the water area. Soil will also get into the water from the net pot. This will turn the water to mud with unwanted fungi, mold, and bacteria grow in it. A proper self watering bucket will not allow soil mix into the water and will have an air gap between the top of the water level and the growing medium.
But the soil needs oxygen while u covered it with black nylon
Ok the hardest way possible to make a self watering bucket.
Thank you, great video. How to prevent algae in the water? Would the lid ever fall to the reservoir because of the weight of the soil? Thanks
All that work for 1 plant?
Be different if it was a Pot Plant ~ thank you but no thank you++++
Another brilliant idea. Thanks for sharing
Brilliant 👍🙏
Where did you get the trellis for the tomato plant?
One quick question. What are you going to do with 24 leftover grommets?
All that work cuz you're too lazy to go out and water your plants 🤪🤪🤪
Has anyone ever tried putting some pea gravel in the bottom half of the net pot?
Looks like soil will fill Reservoir and plug drain ?
Great video! And sweet pupper! Thank you!
That drill took a lil bit to get threw
Great video! Thanks for sharing it.
Fertilizer needs to be mixed into the soil for the roots to take up the nutrients. Also it would be more beneficial to bury the plant deeper.
Very good job , Bro., any idea for air-pruning of roots , Please …… !!!! thank You .
Been a while since you posted your video, but I am doing some self watering trough planters, obviously larger than the buckets, any advice on the amount of water required per foot to keep plants and vegetables hydrated. Appreciated any help!
What do you think about using a fabric pot instead of a plastic one, like put the fabric pot inside the plastic one, and drill holes in plastic bucket to make it more rigid and allow air to reach sides of fabric pot which you place inside the plastic bucket
Are you still using these self watering buckets and if so have you made any changes to them?
good job
I wish you luck, if we don't add peat. How about we add only red soil? Does this system work
@11:21, I see there are two water overflow holes, and I don't see when the 2nd hole was drill in the video! Do we need the 2nd hole for water overflow?