DIY - Self Watering Container

[phreedom_man]

It’s so hot and dry now. We are watering all the container vegetables twice a day and barely keeping them alive.
So I did some research and decided to build a self-watering container.
It is basically a self-contained hydro wick system.
This is not my idea. You can find many instructions and videos on the Internet and on you tube on how to do this. Search – global buckets, earth box, earth tainer, self-watering containers, etc..






I bought this storage tote at Lowe’s for $8.
[FONT=&quot]It is a 14gallon capacity tote. That is 12 inches wide X 19 inches long.

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[phreedom_man]

I used a utility knife to cut out the lid.
I placed some extra baby food jars I had on hand, in the bottom of the tote.
There purpose is to support the lid and weight of the soil.
[FONT=&quot]You could use anything for this – PVC pipe cut, ice cube trays, bricks, butter or sour cream plastic bowls, etc…

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[phreedom_man]

Top view
Notice the lid cut out.

 

[phreedom_man]

The lid will fit in the bottom of the storage tote, on top of the baby food jars.
I drilled many holes in the lid.
I had on hand a couple of quart plastic flower pots, that I drilled a few holes in and cut them to the same height as the baby food jars, which is 2 ¾ inches.
Then traced the quart flowerpots on the lid with a pin, and cut out with a utility knife.
I also cut a hole in another corner for a filler tube of PVC. The cut is the same size diameter of the PVC.



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[phreedom_man]

Side view of the lid with holes drilled and the two-quart plastic pots drilled and cut.

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[phreedom_man]

This is the filler tube. To fill the reservoir with water or fertilizer, simply pour it in the top of the tube.
Added a “V” cut the bottom of the PVC pipe so water will drain out the bottom.

 

[phreedom_man]

Assembled

 

[phreedom_man]

Drilled a over flow on the outside of the storage tote on four sides.
The holes should be drilled the same height as the bottom of the lid.
This is now the water reservoir.

 

[phreedom_man]

Filled with media.
Used half a 50 dry quart bag.
Planted and filled reservoir with water.
The reservoir holds slightly over two gallons of water.

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[phreedom_man]

Covered media with plastic and covered it with mulch.
Also covered top of drain pipe with aluminum foil, but could use just about anything.

You could also use the unit with out the plastic cover under the mulch. Then you could water and fertilize just like any normal pot or container.
There would not be reason for the filler tube.
Also, anytime it rained, it would self water it.

FYI – PVC, CPVC, PEX, and Other Plastic Plumbing Materials

Plastic plumbing has been used for potable and non-potable water applications since the 1950s. Initially, there were many concerns about these products potentially leaching harmful chemicals into the water. Independent standards were quickly developed which established strict guidelines for these products. today, plastic plumbing products designed for potable water applications are with "NSF-PW" or "NSF-61" to indicate that the product complies with the health effects requirements of NSF/ANSI Standard 61 for materials designed for contact with potable water.