Self Watering/Self Wicking Pots & Planter

NuffinisFree

Hello,


I'm hoping someone kind and wise people on the money-saving website might be able to share their wisdom and experience when it comes to self-watering/self wicking pots



I'm currently thinking of making some of my own self-watering pots such as the ones on this youtube channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tW6R7ZBjOM


They look easy to make and should hopefully take the stress of watering plants especially during the summer months.


I've got all my supplies and am ready to get started however with the colder weather setting in i'm starting to have second thoughts.


Has anyone tried these self water/self wicker pots?
Are they any good?
What have people planted in them?
Are they best for annual growing plants such as fruit and veg?


Has anyone had any sucess with continual plants such as small rose bushes, fruit trees and shrubs and vines?


Main question....what do you do in the winter? Is there not a huge risk that water will freeze and damage the containers and ruin the plants?


Sorry I know there is a lot of questions but most of google is full of ways to make your own rather than people experiences.


TIA

Farway

I use the water wicking pots but only for summer "stuff" like tomatoes & dahlias

Mine were bought rather than DIY, they work a treat

I'm in South Hants, so freezing in winter is not a big problem but I just leave them to it, mine are plastic with drain holes

The only trouble I have found is the drain holes tend to clog up after a few years so water logging can become a problem. Easily fixed by wriggling suitable bit of wire around in the drain holes

When I water I water until it runs out of the drain holes

NuffinisFree

Thanks Farway,


I'm in a zone 9a so it does get a little colder than south hants but it doesn't freeze so often, only occasionally during the winter season.


I take it you start with fresh plants every year then so there would be no concern during the winter

Do you keep the plants outdoors?



I'm not sure what to do now as i was looking for a long term watering system for a outdoor potted brush and vine. I wont be moving the planters at all and the plants wont be changed either (unless i kill them).
I don't like the drip watering system as they look hidious, i thought I'd found the answer with the self watering pots but am worried that they will freeze and burst the pots in the winter.

Farway

NuffinisFree wrote: »

Thanks Farway,


I'm in a zone 9a so it does get a little colder than south hants but it doesn't freeze so often, only occasionally during the winter season.


I take it you start with fresh plants every year then so there would be no concern during the winter

Do you keep the plants outdoors?

New plants every year, not quite correct, the dahlias I leave in the pots, outside overwinter, near a wall.

That's South Hants for you;)

NuffinisFree

:money:Thanks for the advice.


I decided to have a little faith and try it out, worst case scenerio the plants die so i'll know if it does or doesnt work in which case I can drill holes at the bottom.


BTW its done nothing but rain since i made my planters, i think i'll have to wait till next week to see if its made any difference