Project: Self-watering container

In continuation of our gardening project, we have this self-watering container.

What is a self watering container? A self-watering container is a container that can be watered by filling up a water reservoir at it's base. When the dirt is dry, the plants will automatically soak up or "wick up" water from the bottom up, and sometimes, depending on how much water your container can hold and how well you mulch the top, it doesn't have to be watered for several days! Now that's what I'm talkin about!

It's a simple project done on the cheap. With the junk around the house... this was actually FREE!

Here's the principle:

You need a bucket. With a tiny hole drilled into the side for drainage. We don't want water to waterlog the soil. (This hole is just below the soil barrier)

A piece of plastic cut to fit inside the bucket. A hole in the center for a cheap plastic cup. Cheap plastic cup full of holes. This cup will eventually be the "wicking tube" It's the part where the soil is submerged in water and pulls the water upward. (Also, there is a hole cut in one of the corners of this plastic "floor" for the watering pipe to go through.

The watering pipe. A cheap PVC pipe cut to length. It's a few inches taller than the full height of the bucket. Also angle cut the bottom end, just in case there's dirt blockages. More holes drilled into this end. Better safe than sorry.

The lid. Why a lid? Why not just let the rain into the soil from above? Reason is waterlogging. No need to "drown" the roots. It's smart enough to pull whatever water there is from the resevoir below. So, this becomes a closed system. The lid also prevents wind/rain from blowing/washing away the nutrients. And bugs and slugs. It keeps them out.

Here it is, assembled.

Persephanie helping dad mulch. We used a 50/50 mix of potting soil and compost. This should provide the plant enough nutrients to keep it alive this time.. we hope.

Tomato plant planted and soil pre-watered.

Big Beef tomatoes on the left container, Red and Green bell peppers in the right.

Hope this works!
Now, to find a solution to water this thing automatically!! Then this will be the ultimate set-and-forget garden!! Mwuhahahaha!