Self-watering containers

npsmama

Hello!

I'm in need of 18 self-watering pots and I was wondering if anyone had spotted any bargains/had any thoughts pls?

If seen DIY versions on the internet but I think they would cost just as much as bought ones!

loobyloo2

hi,
I suppose it depends on how much they are in the shops.
I made my own for under a pound each, and they are the best thing I've done in the garden. I have only had to top them up 3 times since i planted courgettes in them back in April. I had in them in my shed for a while by the windows on a table, then put them out in the garden mid May. They have been cropping for around 2 weeks now. Last year I was watering my courgettes in pots twice a day!
I wish I had made enough to put the toms and cucs in, but now I know how good they are, I will make sure to do just that, next year.
I found the idea for mine on a google search, with some mad American woman showing how to do it. Dead easy to make just using cartons and containers that would usually be put in the recycling bag. And they do look nice too, not out of place in a neat and pretty garden.

foreign_correspondent

loobylou, do you have a link to the site that you used? I would like to have a look.

loobyloo2

Sorry, I dont, it was just a search I did on Google video. THere were quite a few that I looked at, but one was with a really boring American woman in her kitchen! This was the one I took inspiration from, as the others were quite complicated using 'wicks', which I am not using. Just a large container, plastic milk cartons laid on their side in the bottom with holes cut from the sides ( so they can fill with water from the bottom) and an old small plastic drinks bottle pushed thru a hole made in the top of one so you can fill with water. push the compost right down between the milk cartons and this acts as the 'wick'.
I have had fantastic results with this, and certainly wouldnt consider buying one after having a go with these. HTH

npsmama

loobyloo2 wrote: »

Sorry, I dont, it was just a search I did on Google video. THere were quite a few that I looked at, but one was with a really boring American woman in her kitchen! This was the one I took inspiration from, as the others were quite complicated using 'wicks', which I am not using. Just a large container, plastic milk cartons laid on their side in the bottom with holes cut from the sides ( so they can fill with water from the bottom) and an old small plastic drinks bottle pushed thru a hole made in the top of one so you can fill with water. push the compost right down between the milk cartons and this acts as the 'wick'.
I have had fantastic results with this, and certainly wouldnt consider buying one after having a go with these. HTH

loobyloo, that sounds great!
I'm not sure I understand your description yet but I'm sure things will fall into place when I start trying to do it.

What type of containers are you using to make them?

Sunnyday

Ooh! i was going to go to sleep when i saw this thread

Was it this one?

http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?q=self+watering+container&www_google_domain=www.google.co.uk&hl=en&emb=0&aq=0&oq=self+wateri#

The third one down with the red tub.

I want to make one now:D

SD

loobyloo2

OK. I will try to describe it, although I know without a picture it is difficult to understand.
You preferably need a rectangular container/planter, just because most cartons tend to be rectangular and these are what you will place in the bottom. And it should be quite deep too.
Collect cartons, Milk ones were perfect for me, but you can use any plastic ones. Lay them in the bottom of your large container so they fit snugly, play around with them until they fit, dont forget, you can lay them on their side or front 'til they fit. Now, whatever is lying on the base of the container is what you have to cut away, so it will be either the side or the front of the carton. You now have to find a small drinks bottle (dishwasher rinseaid in one of mine) and place it in one corner of the container, mark where it touches the milk carton and make a hole that it can snugly fit thru. Make sure it reaches to the top of the planter or even higher , you can trim later if you need to.
Nearly done now.
Make a couple of drainage holes in the side of the planter(use a screwdriver) at the same level as the top of the milk cartons, for drainage, then you can't overwater.
Now just fill with compost, making sure you fill all the gaps between the cartons, as this will act as the 'wick', and draw the water upwards.
Now fill with water very easily thru the drink bottle. The water sits in the cartons, and is wicked up to the plant via the compost, so the roots cannot get waterlogged.
I managed to grow radishes in mine while the courgette was still small, they were beautiful, while the ones from my raised beds were thoroughly disgusting!
My plan for next year is to make loads of these, then I can go off for the weekends, and on my hols without any worries re the watering.
PHEW....finished.:D

loobyloo2

Sunnyday wrote: »

Ooh! i was going to go to sleep when i saw this thread

Was it this one?

http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?q=self+watering+container&www_google_domain=www.google.co.uk&hl=en&emb=0&aq=0&oq=self+wateri#

The third one down with the red tub.

I want to make one now:D

SD

Wow, you did a quick search, and there was I, trying to type a description!
This is a close match to the one I saw, though the lady in this does not quite get as boring as the one I saw, and you don't need those great big cartons, the 4 or 6 pint milk cartons do a fantastic job, and are so much more available.