How to make a self watering container

I've read that a self watering container is best for growing vegetables in, because they can take as much water as they want, when they want, so less risk of over or underwatering. It's also less maintenance for the gardener, as they don't require watering every day.

But they can be pretty pricey. We bought 2 medium sized self-watering containers for $10 each, and that was as cheap as we had seen them. We were going to need more than that but were about out of money. So we decided to make our own, cheaply.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED





A regular plant pot or tub
putty
scrap fabric
scissors
a smaller tub for insert/reservoir - make sure it fits the bottom of your tub without leaks in the sides
A piece of piping, or you could use an empty plastic bottle


1st
Fill in any drainage holes in the pot. You can use putty or line with a bag etc.


2nd
Poke holes in the insert/smaller tub.


3rd
Cut up strip of fabric and thread them through the holes in the insert. These will act as the wic, to suck up water from the reservoir.




4th
Cut up piping, or plastic bottle. We will be using this to fill the reservoir with water, every few days.



5th
Cut a hole in the insert, to place the piping.



6th
Place insert in pot, make sure there are no gaps.







7th
Have your kids help you if you want. They come in handy for that.





8th
Try to stop your 7 month old from ingesting too many microbes





9th
Fill with dirt, plant your plants. Water from above once, then fill the reservoir. From now on, only water from the pipe.

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