How to build a self-watering planter

In this DIY project, I will show you how to build a self-watering container for your summer planting. 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. This reservoir, combined with a weed shield, really reduces the maintenance needs of your container garden.

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

Fertaliser

Seedling

Comments

[stan]

cool idea! how are the tomatoes growing? any chance on an update? cheers from nova scotia :)

[Robert Brennan]

Hi Stan,
Thanks for the comment, I just posted a new video on how to How to hand pollinate tomatoes. You can see how well the planter has been doing in that video. Nice to hear from you.

[Anil]

how long does the water hold in the reservoir from your experience? Have you emptied one of the container to check the soil/medium?