self watering container

[saratera]

i've been reading about self watering containers, the earthbox, etc. and wanted to make some that were nicer looking than buckets. i used stuff lying around the house inside a clay pot. (the pot has no hole for drainage)

it's half of a pop bottle, the bottom of a plastic ice cream container, and a 25 cent funnel. i poked holes all over the bottom for drainage and air circulation.

(yes the bottle is taped in) i wasn't too worried about the plastic since this is an experiment, and it's mostly from food containers.  they are working great and my plants are growing like crazy! i water it less than once a week.

[Antidigger]

Great I love it!

[LiveLongandCraft]

Way to be crafty! I love making useful things from what you already have. Good job.

[melissa!]

so creative! I love this idea, I have a couple self watering planters and they're my favorite things ever, but spendy. thanks for this solution.

[KayleighAnn]

This may sound silly but... How does it work? The homemade and non homemade ones?

KayleighAnn

[Antidigger]

basically you provide a reservoir of water that is taken up by the soil by osmosis, so you only ever need to top up the reservoir via the funnel to the soil surface.

[KayleighAnn]

Ahhh I see! Shoulda done this before I left the herbs out all alone for a month eek.

I will know for next time, Im glad it seems to work

KayleighAnn

[WendyTheSpaz]

Another possibly silly question... Where does the plant go in there? Is it on top of the plastic in there? If so, does that mean the pot is empty under the plastic?

[Antidigger]

Yes, the plant goes on top. Underneath the plastic is the space for the water. Because of the bottle bit in the middle which gets full of soggy soil it allows the water to pull upwards as the plant drinks or evaporates water from it's leaves.

[WendyTheSpaz]

OHHHHHHHHHHh I get it!!! Thanks for the explanation!