building a self watering container

[SteveHarpster]

very nice thanks 4 sharing

[friend2animals66]

Thank you so much for sharing your invention. I plan to use this technique in next year's backyard garden! Very good use of otherwise throw away items, love the affordability too. What can't you grow in these in the question.....corn and watermelons I would guess, but I'm new to this.

[BalconyGrow]

@friend2animals66 Yes, you can grow corn. I haven't but I know others have. I didn't do well with large vining crops. I found great success with peppers (2 or 3 plants), carrots (in deeper containers), beets, radishes, cucumbers, beans/peas, lettuce, spinach, and zucchini (1 plant). Tomatoes did good as well but not as well as ones planted in the ground but when you don't have ground to plant in this is a good alternative. Hope this helps. ~Jeri

[1969626]

Vielen Dank für diesen Tipp für den Anbau in tiefe Behälter

[skitime51]

As a newbie, I have some questions. Do you have to cut off the spigots on the other two containers so the water can get from the containers to the soil or will the containers fit with the spigots left open. Otherwise I can't see how the water gets from the containers to the soil. Also, is the tub high enough to put in enough soil to grow tomatos

[BalconyGrow]

@skitime51 Yes, all the bottoms are cut off. And yes it does hold enough soil to grow a tomato, I grew three pepper plants in one this size and they did fantastic. I was quite pleased. Hope this helps and good luck in your new endeavors. :0)

[vidx03]

thanks for the instructions. simple and effective

[DesertDood]

simply brilliant! I live in the Sonoran Desert north of Tucson and east of Phoenix (Pinal County) if you live in the Mojave or Mohave ... you definitely know the challenges of growing in the desert! Thanks for posting these vids! :)

[BalconyGrow]

@DesertDood Thank you. :0)

[MrandMissConverted]

Would it be OK to pour compost tea into the water reservoir? If so, is there any particular requirement regarding timing and quantity?

[BalconyGrow]

@MrandMissConverted The compost tea can be pored into the water reservoir and the plants will take it up as needed. I usually just pored it on top when I wanted to give them a quick boost. :0)

[tvt9797]

What the hell is it? waht tis this self-watering container do? Explain, why didn't you

[bowler8]

where's the holes in the other water containers?

[BalconyGrow]

@bowler8 There was already a hole in the top to relieve the pressure when using the spiggot, I should have mentioned that. But you can punch more holes in the tops if you feel the one won't be enough. Thanks for watching and sorry for the late reply. :0)

[atcheerio]

I saw in another wicking system where they said to put vermiculite or perlite layer in between the soil and the water source. They said it would help in the wicking action and in keeping the soil from plugging up the water system & the overflows ran from this layer. They had a much more complicated system w/ always running water, but do you think vermiculite would work here as well?

Have you used tomatoes in this system?

[singlechopstick]

Thanks for posting it, really got me thinking about self watering container designs.

[paulgem123]

That is so cool and innovative.

[droptopcobra97]

would that be hold enough soil for a tomato plant ? have you grown them in that size container ?

[MrandMissConverted]

Great video. Is there any risk of mosquitos settling in the water? If so, how can that be controlled? Also, will fertilizing the water allow the fertilizer to reach the plants through osmosis as well?

[MrMaleBee]

@MrandMissConverted One Eco-Friendly and Human friendly way to control the mosquitoes would be to place a wad of cheesecloth in the water "feed" tube and sprinkle potting soil on top of that. Thus, there would be an "Earth" barrier that the Mosquitoes could not penetrate .

[survivalpodcasting]

what is cool is other than the container itself this is all recycled/repurposed materials.

[azpd]

AWESOME! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

[sparrerbyrd]

o_o

[HomeworkHelper1]

I've heard you should water from the top for the first week to help establish a root system. What is the size of the container? I would very much appreciate knowing the gallons that are avzilable so I can know what not to plant. For instance, Eggplants and tomato plants should have at least five gallons.

[jahatton]

Hello, I'm a bit confused. Does the other 2 containers hold water or are they just taking up space? I understand the method but fuzzy on that. Thanks for your video.

[BalconyGrow]

@jahatton Because there is already a little hole in the top of each of the other water jugs the water goes into them as well. Hope this helps. ~Jeri

[DustyRolls]

go peppers!

[quietlike]

how big is the container? Like what size? how many gallons does it

[the1969info]

Hi I love this video. I just wanted to say I found out from another pot maker that you should use potting mix not soil for the bottom of the pot because the mix will wick the water up but the potting soil will not. Do you know from experience if this is true. I haven't seen this reference anywhere else. Thanks.

[mammal46]

Hi there I'd like to make some of these. Could you please tell me how big those totes are, the one that hold three 21/2 gallon water containers? What are the dimensions and volume? Who make thems? Where do you get them? Is there a model number on the bottom of the tote?

Please let me know....Thanks a lot=-}

[mammal46]

This is the easiest one I've seen so far. Thanks for posting this video ♥

[Zeitgeiste]

This is really slick! Did you invent the modifications yourself? So much less work if you can find the jugs to fit the bin. Can you tell us where to find the jugs? Are they 1 gal? You're in the desert, could they be spring water jugs? Maybe 2 gals?

How well does the water wick up around and between the jugs? (It's a lot higher than most systems I've seen here on YouTube.)

What kind of fertilizer do you suggest?

Excellent video.

[TellinTheTruth]

do you put more holes in the top of the containers so that the roots can grow into the water and not clog themselves growing on the sides of the jugs and container?

[alicemcgu]

Hi, I love your system. I have a question. Do you just fill one of the three large water joggs? You or I thought I heard you say that depending on how much water your plants in your area needs depends on how much you cut off the bottom of the water jogg"s"? Please expand.

Thanks,

[SaraInTexas]

This is such a great idea....very thought out and cheap which makes anything great!

[jimmie200]

Very simple and effective. Great idea!.

[Tanyia48]

I love this! Thank you, Thank you

[bd1965]

Good job...

[CrusaderPatriot]

I would suggest several more and larger drainage holes! I noticed the jugs had come up through the dirt after a day of rain and bin was flooded. The hole must of been become clogged. So now I have complete disaster and have to start over with more dirt and seed. Hopefully, I can still make this work!

[BalconyGrow]

@CrusaderPatriot hmmm, First time I've heard of that happening. Did you have holes in the top of the water jugs? Also, you don't need to start all over, just put another hole in the side and the water will drain out. I always put two at the begining. I did have a traditional (not water holding) plant pot do that to me once and I just put a hole in the side of the pot and the water drained out. Hope this helps ~Jeri

[bobbgeez]

I've been viewing several self-watering-planter videos today and have a comment related to what CrusadePatriot said, and your response. My guess is that the jugs rose thru the soil because they floated due to air trapped in them. This would happen if there were no holes, maybe in the sides not tops, of the jugs to let them fill with water. Otherwise, the only one to fill fully with water would be the one with the bottle inserts. Rising water would push the other 2 upwards. ~Bobbie

[bobbgeez]

Also, I would imagine drilling a couple extra holes into the outside container and straight through the water jugs as well would remedy the potential problem, since the jugs could not then retain air above the drainage holes level. Very nice project, nonetheless!! I like it!! ~Bobbie

[adamv79]

Nice work! I like that most of your components for this project are recycled.

[asullivan1234]

How can I use this idea with round pots or other shapes that the large plastic containers don't fit in. I have some nice pottery I would like to make self watering.

Thanks.

[samann95014]

great!! simple yet very effective design.

[bigballsbuddy]

Great design and really inexpensive!

[CHOCCYDAZZLE]

thank you for your GREAT and helpful video idea

[lilgreenthumb29]

can you tell me, do you put holes in each of the white big containers with the smaller water bottles in them so you can fill up each of them with water or did you only it for one?

[youarethedeal]

thank you .. this is the best vid ever..

[SpectreXGaming]

How often would you suggest I refertilize plants in this self-watering container? I heard that overfertilizing the plants (with worm tea and or other stuff) can actually kill or injure the plants.

Also, do you use any type of pesticides (natural and or otherwise) to protect your crops? I'd like to keep the crops organic and healthy but I'm unsure.

Thanks for your advice and tips in your videos. I'm inspired to give this a try soon.

[BalconyGrow]

I use the worm tea every few week (dont worry about over fertilizing with worm tea or castings). Every few months I side dress with an organic vegetable fertilizer. I also add plenty of worm castings whenever I replant a container. ~Jeri

[BalconyGrow]

For a pesticide, mince a few cloves of garlic and add to a cup of olive oil. Let sit in refrigerator for 3 or 4 days (it should smell garlicy). Strain, then add a couple tablespoons of the garlic oil and 3 or 4 drops of dish soap to a pint of water. Spray plants. Good for aphids and deterring most pests.

Good luck with your new adventure in gardening. Let me know how it goes. ~Jeri

[SpectreXGaming]

@BalconyGrow Thanks a ton Jeri! I'll definitely give this a try.

[gerglion]

@BalconyGrow They could also try something similar with neem oil, if that is available. I never heard about garlic and oil... Interesting.

[gclaudia1]

This is terrific -- so cheap and simple, yet effective. Many thanks for sharing!

[SensaiChris]

you have three jugs in the container. but you only have one access point. i miss the point on filling the water in only one container, will it somehow percolate to the other reservoirs, or, do you need to create a hole in each jug?

[BalconyGrow]

Yes, each jug should already have a hole in it from when the drinking water was dispensed out of it. More holes can be poked into the top of them if you like. ~Jeri

[rob741258]

Nice, easy, cheap, brilliant...

[pyroman675]

easy,simple, cheap and easy to use.and a good pay off ay the end. great device there

[juliesgreenhouse]

If you get some 1/2 inch COTTON rope and drill a couple of slightly smaller holes in the water storage containers..... insert the ropes into the containers and out into the soil........it will wick very well.

[canvasbored]

Another good filler for the bottom is a big kitty litter jug. Those are about the same size as the 3-gallon water jugs and this is a good use for them.

With my first three tubs I've had a little trouble with not enough wicking. Had to plug and re-drill my holes twice to a little higher level. I think it's working now.

[sjennas14]

Great idea, very innovative.

[marthale7]

How often do you need to fill the water on this container? Thanks for the excellent video !

[ThanksgivingWalk]

Cheap, uses recyable materials, helps aid in water loss prevention, and so easy. Good job on explaining and videoing.

Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

TGW

[socialtalker1]

now THIS is cheap and very doing, i am embedding this video on my community site!

[smashleeandserenity]

5/5 Great video answered questions I didn't even think of ... I'm sure they would've come up when I go to make it.

[BadassCeino]

Very easy, thanks.

[canvasbored]

I just made my second one today using your method. It is simple and easy. Good instructions!

There hasn't been an excessive amount of wicking as mentioned by halfmoon26. I've had the first one planted for a week now and the soil is just damp and not wet.

[leasmom96]

This is the best and cheapest one yet. Everyone else has expensive pipes or pvc but yours is something I could make. I love it, thanks!!!

[Firefly804]

blade knife

[nickhb90]

@Firefly804 lol i know huh. box cutter, exacto knife

[halfmoon26]

great idea however I believe this is going to make the soil sit on a water bath which will make too much wicking.

[jihadacadien]

This is pretty great!

[broonpie]

i dont liv n the desert

[homewouldheart]

Thanks sooo much, i have been pondering how to do this for a few weeks, and that has just given me some brilliant ideas. Thanks again

[tygerpaw]

This is very cool - I would like to make my own...could you tell me the measurements/size of the big red tub? Lowes has storage containers on sale CHEAP and I would like to pick some up. Thanks for the great video tutorial!

[babydoc8680]

Great video. Do you need to pack the soil in tight around the containers for the wicking action to take place? Or do you just pile it in there loosely?

Thanks

[aabward]

what size is the red tube?

[billyedtimmy1]

Thanks for this, it's fantastic! One question: How do you monitor the water level in the reservoir?

[BalconyGrow]

I just fill them until water starts to trickle out the over-flow holes. Sorry for the late reply. ~Jeri

[msgardenlicious]

How would they fill with water?

[BalconyGrow]

Because of the air holes in the top of the jugs, the water can seep into the empty air pocket created by the jugs themselves. The rest is just a matter of fluid dynamics, LOL. Let me know if this answers your question. ~Jeri

[msgardenlicious]

Oh right. Now i understand.

Thanks

[MyQuest4Health]

What kind of soil do you use and do you add any type of fertilizer or feeding solution? thanks for your advice.

[BalconyGrow]

I use a potting mix. I try to get a good one with fertilizer already in it. Its important to get potting MIX and not potting SOIL. Its better at soaking up the water as the plants need it. After a couple of months I start feeding my plants with some worm tea that I get from my worm bin every couple of weeks. I also spray them every week with diluted worm tea. If you dont mind that it isnt 100% organic, Miracle Grow has a good water soluble fertilizer you can use. Hope this helps. ~Jeri

[rabrough2]

Now what is she gonna do with those water bottles?! Wow.. very creative!!! haha I was surprised and delighted with this cheap and cool idea!! I have everything ..xcept de water jugs.. So I'll try gallon milk jugs. Thanks for the great idea!! Make sure a show us how your plants turn out.

[BalconyGrow]

That's a good idea. If you cut the top off and flip it upside down it should work fine. Just remember to poke a vent hole in them so the air can escape while they fill with water. Thanks for watching. ~Jeri

[bookhound63]

This is a very good idea. I don't buy bottled water, but I think gallon milk jugs would work just as well.

[fabulousblueyes]

Hi great idea, im in the process of making one of these for my bell pepper plants, i was wondering how often do you have to water? or how can you tell it needs water since it waters itself?

[BalconyGrow]

Watering varies from container to container, and plant to plant. Most of all you just don't want them to completely dry out, as with any garden. I look in the bottle and if I dont see any water, I give it some. I usually do a watering about every 3 - 4 days right now (80 - 90 F in the desert area I live). I know in the summer it will be more and in the winter, it was roughly every couple of weeks. Hope this helps. ~Jeri

[juhlsspencer]

I bought four round tubs in preparation for making 4 self watering containers. In looking for ideas, I found yours to be my favorite. You are so creative. Do you have any ideas on what I can use in my round tubs- they are the kind with rope handles and are sometimes used for kids toys- are you familiar with them? I love the way you used the water bottles for the tube by the way. Very resourceful.

Thanks

[bookhound63]

You could try a 5 gallon bucket, cut off at 6 to 8 inches. That's all I can think of.

[matoxewu]

genious

[lzrdude202]

how exactly does it work?

[BalconyGrow]

Add soil up to the top. Plant (either plants or seeds), and fill until water starts to seep out the overflow holes. The soil wicks water to the plants' roots and the roots take up as much as they want. Hard to overwater or underwater (as long as the reservoir is kept filled). Hope this answers your question (if not I'll do a quick video). ~Jeri

[mtaylor0405]

This works! My plants are huge compared to regular planters. I cut them up a little different but I'm so glad you posted this! Thanks...

[benamucc]

you dear lady, are a genius!!! i am more than inspired...i'm on my way to the store!!!

[BalconyGrow]

I did not have any problems with the jugs floating up but this is because when you are using the water from the jugs you are supposed to punch a vent hole in the top. This allows for the pressure change so the water flows freely. So when I put the jugs into the container they already had a vent hole in the top of each one. If you are using different type jugs then yes you will need to punch at least one vent hole. If you feel the need to punch or drill more vent holes you can. ~Jeri

[neeni2]

thnx

[neeni2]

can u use gallon jugs instead...the 2.5 jugs r hard 2 come by

[BalconyGrow]

Sure. Just make sure that there are some channels where the soil can reach to the bottom of the container. These channels of soil will act as water wicks for the rest of the soil in the container. Hope this helps. ~Jeri

[Jenidala23]

Awesome! Thanks a bunch for the video info!!!

[amberger35]

This is going to show you my newbieness - but how does the water get to the other 2 1/2 gallon jugs?

Do you put a weed barrier cloth over the top of the holes you drill into the 2 1/2 gallon jugs so the soil doesn't plug them or fall into the jugs?

Do you just drill one drainage hole?

I love your video! So practical!

amberger35 (at) hotmail (dot) com

[BalconyGrow]

The water will flow to the other jugs on its own. This is why you dont have to be perfect when cutting off the bottoms of the water jugs.

You can put a weed barrier cloth over the top of the holes if you feel more comfortable but I dont find it necessary. A little dirt will fall down but not enough to matter.

I like to drill two drainage holes just in case one gets plugged up. I stick a toothpick in them once in a while too just to make sure they stay clear.

I hope this helps. Jeri

[melme1234]

great video, i am experimenting with big "o" that the farms use to drain fields as its 4 " high and already has slits cut into it. 1" eaquals 1 gallon in the container I am using so 4 gallons of water to the top which is where i will drill the overflow. One question how do you get oxygen to the roots? thank  you, Ian

[BalconyGrow]

I have not had a problem with that but you can drill (or poke) small holes throughout the top of the water jugs that are placed inside if you find that the soil is to wet. This will allow air in from the reservoir as the water is soaked up. I hope this helps. ~Jeri

[locteach]

This is a fantastic idea ! I duplicated the directions this weekend. It seems that my container holds 7 gallons. I did make one adaptation . . . I covered the top of the box with a fabric/plastic cover in hopes that the soil will stay moist longer.

[BalconyGrow]

Good. I forgot to mention in the video that you can take the lid that came with the container and cut the center out and use the edge that is left over to hold the fabric/plastic in place.  Let me know how it works out for you. Thanks for watching. ~Jeri

[neeni2]

do you cut off the bottom of all the water jugs

[BalconyGrow]

Yes, I just cut off about an inch and I find this gives me 7 inches soil depth with 6 gal water capacity. If you want deeper soil and/or less water holding you can cut off more than an inch. And you dont have to worry about cutting a perfect straight line, so just eyeball it. I hope this helps. ~Jeri

[greentxmama]

This is great! I wish I would have known how to do this last year! I'm going to try this...have everything for it already. Thanks for sharing!

[Praxxus55712]

This is a great way to recycle containers. Simple, yet very functional! And since it's plastic, it could l;ast......well.....forever. LOL The earth's landfills will thank you! :)

[BalconyGrow]

How much depends on how much of the bottom of the bottles you cut off. Mine will take up to about 5.5 gallons. During cooler weather I hardly water at all. I only really water every couple of weeks with some worm tea. In the heat of the summer (80-100F) I'll fill them every day or two if there are large plants in them (2 tomato plants). I hope this helps. ~Jeri

[bluehoneycomb]

how often do you fill the bottles with water, and how much do you need?

[evcrawfish]

very good idea....

[webcajun]

Great idea...... Donald

[homesNgardens08]

Thanks very much.

I'm looking for a ways to water vegetables at the cottage when I'm not there. Thinking here. Thank you!