Create Self Watering Pots Using Old Recycled Materials

[@davidkeelerii7460]

Cut your watering pipe at an angle at the end that will be at the bottom of your bucket. It will allow the water to enter the bucket easily. Also if your net cup is lined with a fabric liner and then filled with sand it will wick the water more efficiently then just plane soil. You can also ad a dip stick to your watering pipe to help you know when it's time to refill your bucket. Just a couple of pointers. Have fun growing!👍

[@dianedejohn2675]

Watched the video and I found the video genius. Who would think of being able to do this with recycled material. The knowledge was extremely informative. Thank you!

[@bluewolf4915]

I've seen a hundred videos about doing this and this one is the best. Thank you.

[@margiemurray2147]

Like all your ideas..got our buckets from our grocery store bakery - never hurts to ask..thanx....

[@kaylolojackson]

Most simple and practical video I've seen. I'll be using this method!

[@KikisCreations]

Thanks for this tutorial. It's explained very well, not complicated at all. I can't wait to try this. My son and I want to plant our own veggies and herbs.

[@noumoua6437]

Love your recycle ideas! What an awesome video. Please keep sharing more ideas. That is what I’m going to do for my garden. Love it!

[@juneritchie2498]

Consider using a funnel in the watering tube (they come in different materials and lengths). You can quickly move the funnel from pot to pot. It should reduce bending over as much for those who have difficulty bending, and it could help to avoid wasting water or wetting leaves.

[@musashinagatsubo9574]

Weed barrier cloth works nicely to line the wick pot and keep the soil inside. Also you can recycle the net bags that fruit (i.e. oranges) come in to hold the soil in the wick basket.

[@scwheeler24]

Good idea. I save some of that bc I know I will use it for something 👍

[@skyym3629]

The only thing i do different while making my self watering pots is to wrap the net cup with an old piece of womens nylon stalking. This stops any soil or dirt/debri from getting into the water reservoir and causing a mess in it. I have used my self watering pots for over 4 years with only having to amend the soil every season. I have not changed out the soil or washed out the water reservoir and this makes it really easy for long term, no labor use, and that's the way I like it (the easier, the better in my book). Thanks for the video and information. Thumbs up. God bless bro

[@sd4055]

Great idea using stockings! I'm about to give this a try and I will use your method!

[@skyym3629]

@@sd4055 Awesome bro. Let me know how you do .

[@juneritchie2498]

Oops, forgot to say that I enjoyed the video and instructions. I plan to integrate many of your tips as I experiment with containers this year. Thanks!

[@lillylulu3605]

Hi loved the video and you're idea's I would just like to say that the overfill hole also acts as an air intake hole which allows the water to be wicked. Also your pie plate ( great idea) I would put lots of small holes in the about 1/8'' dia this will allow air to get to the roots and also stops the roots from curling. No home depot overhere they seem to sell everything at a reasonable price. Best regards from the lake district England

[@pershop4950]

thanks for the idea on those pie plates. I always wanted to re-use the pie plates that I picked up making pudding pies or other desserts, now I know how I can reuse them!

[@BackToBasics001]

Great! I hated throwing them away as well. Thanks for watching!

[@janinasimons8533]

+Per Shop, you can also make bird bath, feeders with them.. they also if they are aluminium make good folders to hold mobile phone to lessen emfs? You will find lots of uses of Alumium I dont cook a lot so I dont often have them, but I have used them for bird bath with bird feeder,, also mould for stepping stone etc.

[@LiliansGardens]

I like this, I'll try it. I would consider lining that pot with wick material to avoid soil escaping into the water space

[@teddibrownbrown3620]

This was so cool I watched it again the next night. I love the 2nd design with a pie plate

[@dNEj4q3ce]

Thank You for a great video. I've been tried to figure out how to put something to hold up the dirt. You just give me the answer to my question. Thanks

[@BackToBasics001]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching.

[@phillipadams8881]

Love the video. Learned a lot. The only thing I would suggest is to change the term "soil" when you are packing your wicking pot. You do not use soil yourself, and neither should anyone else. You use a potting mix because it wicks well. Soil does not. So you might want to change the term "soil" to potting mix or moss or some other wicking material, so that people who are truly just learning about these wonderful devices don't make a fatal (to their plants) mistake. Thanks for the excellent video.

[@ronndapagan]

Great video and thank you for sharing this tip.

[@veronicawilliams2612]

I may just try his when I'm not lazy this is a very god ideal.thnk you sir

[@pershop4950]

I just saw those 3 pie plates for $1 at the dollar store, but thought it was too flimsy. Nice to know that your pie plates from that bunch also. I will have to try it again when I go next time and see if they really are able to hold up all that soil.

[@gioknows]

Very clever. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada.

[@SylvesterDisimon]

Great instructional video. For planting fruit tress in a bigger and deeper pots or drums, can you use a wider diameter and deeper wicking net pot? Thanks.

[@calicojeb]

Thanks really cool alternative to 5 gal buckets, gonna try to find a few of the 3 gal

[@rubyewiggins4926]

I put an old sock around my net pot so the soil doesn't fall out as much but doesn't prevent them sucking up the water

[@rhondaholland719]

Awesome tips! I’m definitely going to try this!

[@EVEY71]

GR8 IDEA, easy to follow which I love, recycled big tick, putting the link up now in our local online gardening group. following

[@BackToBasics001]

Hi Evey71, glad you enjoyed the video, hope the rest your group enjoys too! Thanks for watching and following.

[@ez-tutora]

Fantástica idea! Gracias.

[@barbfroede1343]

I love this! Thank you!

[@mariewhitman8758]

Hello and thanks for sharing. My question is, since aluminum is thin and flexible, how would the pie plate hold up so much potting media, especially when it's moist and weighs more? Maybe other small plastic pots can be placed around the wicking basket to provide more support?Or maybe this is not an issue, just asking.Also, how far below the wicking basket should the drain hole be made? I have several of these to make.Thanks again!

[@mrlonelybalpok2726]

Thats a lot of work and materials

[@sherrillstanley3491]

Take the masking tape (?) labels on the plastic cups used for growing the peppers from seed and apply them to the sides of pot to identify the pepper types. Or label the pot with a waterproof marker on the outside.

[@sd4055]

Brilliant! I'm going to try this!

[@debjordan4399]

Great video!

[@janinasimons8533]

+Back to Basics Thank great idea... you could just about use any size pot... I didn quite get where the outlet hole went ? just below the cup??? I do a similar, well not reall similar.. as I have a deep tray the pots sit in... [which i get for nothing] then I use old clothing that is not good for recyle shop or op sorry thrift shops, so i tear the up and have them circle the bottom where the holes are and come up to the centre, ad let these bring the water up to middle. I like your idea... especial the drilling the holes. I didnt want to spend money on the shop type. and I have plenty of the tiny pots so I will be drilling this weekend. And could I stuff or line the wicker pot with materil to soak up??? Thanks again...

[@NovaCat2015]

Will this work with 5-gallon buckets? (I mean, are they the right diameter for the pie plates?) I'm definitely going to try this, with lava rocks instead of mulch (because that's what I have) and two holes in the reservoir bucket in case one gets clogged up. Great vid! Thanks for sharing.

[@tammy-lynnstewart5677]

Where I live, that superpex line is stupid expensive. Old garden hose works too which can be picked up for next to nothing at yard sales or even the dump. People toss em every year if they have a crack or whatever.

[@GodIsOurProtector-s2n]

Thank you for this, it was the easiest video for me to follow. How will I know when to refill the water?

[@GodIsOurProtector-s2n]

Donna * Lovin’ Texas thanks a lot!

[@adeeb9923]

Gonna try this..thanks 👍👍

[@kittybeard5379]

Thanks for the tips. Going to try it.

[@sun6v546]

Just an awesome mind ....keep goin Boy .... cheers..... :)

[@scwheeler24]

What kind of tubing is that? I couldn’t make it out

[@robertbasilevac3778]

I cut the water tub at a 45 degree angle to let the water flow out as fast as it filles.

[@CoFFee123..]

Can I use this self watering pots for my roses, hibiscus and adenium plants?

[@pindian8303]

It’s very nice idea. What we can do in rainy season.?

[@lindareinen4361]

Great idea! Shouldn’t you put holes in your water line to help with water getting in?

[@rhondapelletier2141]

Great!!!

[@teddibrownbrown3620]

Outstanding!!!!!

[@MomtazGarden]

awesome video. Please keep sharing more ideas:)

[@Ms-et1qb]

Wonder if over time the soil in the wick pot spread out into the reservoir water and become empty? Probably lining of the wick pot with a thin cotton cloth will take care of this ?

[@KarenmitchellANI]

or you can use anything that has drilled holes in it

[@thetaijicentre9704]

or recycle fibreglass insect /fly screening

[@jamesvawter8214]

coffee filter

[@windellmcspindell3652]

My wife's panty hose. Peppers taste a little funny though.

[@HollyOak]

How well does the pie plate and the cut lid hold up the weight of the soil once together? They look kind of flimsy, wouldn't it be better to put something else in as a support to the outer edges?

[@francespannebaker3184]

If you had an old garden hose that is unusable you could use that instead of buying the white tubing at the store.

[@myfantasyfarm-tinyseeds2216]

yes

[@asahglobalspheresapostolic6044]

Thanks I do.

[@sylview3808]

This is a great tutorial. I do have 2 questions. 1 can/should you stabilize the tubing when using the pie pan method? 2. Will pie pans rust out fast? Thanks

[@davidthomson5507]

Pie pans are aluminium so they don't rust. They won't last forever but they will last a VERY long time.

[@alwaessurius8498]

Great idea, only I think I would have planted each variety in different pot; One - to give each more root growth room; and two - to help prevent cross pollinating - won't be able to reuse the seeds from the mother plants - no telling what you would grow from the seed.

[@wannabejeeper]

If you just filled the bucket with soil and kept the drain hole at the 4-6" mark, wouldn't the soil below the drain hole become saturated with water, then the soil above it wick from the bottom when needed...effectively doing the same thing? I just made 3 planters out of 45gal drums (plastic). One full length (3ft), one at 2' and one at 1'. Wondering about drain holes and if the before mentioned method would work.

[@Fedeleness]

Seems plausible . Bottom watering is the whole purpose.

[@bbunderson]

@@Fedeleness can you tell me the benefits of bottom watering?

[@Fedeleness]

@@bbunderson I've done both. Bottom watering = plants were stronger and bigger, less disease and pests. Was easier to keep track of how much water they were getting. Though I have to say, I let mother nature water my veggie garden this year, only using the sprinkler once and it worked fine. Last year I did all bottom watering . Was more work for me and I wonder if I really needed to do it. Let Mother Nature do her job, with just a bit of help, when needed.

[@top10tips61]

Thanks so much

[@ptk51]

How often do you need to water and how do you know when to water? Would like to know if I went on a 2 month vacation trip, would this system work for that period? Please answer, others have asked same question below.

[@skyscope8409]

Piroska Kirika no reservoir can last 2 months, you need someone to attend to your plants.

[@itsamedjmario]

What is the 2 solo cup method for ?

[@serafinogold1]

Good job! I like very much. How often do you need to water and how do you know when to water? Would it be possible to set this up with a water reservoir and float to make it even more self watering? Thanks.....

[@pindian8303]

serafinogold1 also what we can do in rainy season ?

[@bbunderson]

@@pindian8303 look for global buckets they address this

[@susangarza7818]

Great vid! Thanks for the share =)

[@jennysingleton7134]

Thanks for sharing

[@felicethomas6594]

Awesome thank you

[@annickhughes9197]

Can you tell me what kind of camera and equipment you use?

[@bonnierush7843]

No concern about the aluminum itself leaching???

[@wajidali2808]

Exelent

[@davidbee3704]

Great video 👍

[@BackToBasics001]

Thanks David B!

[@growthequalslife]

Wind chimes🦄💜

[@rocko777p.8]

I’m going to try this thank you! How do you know if it needs watering again? I always over water😳😳😳

[@BackToBasics001]

As long as you drill the overflow hole below where the pieplate rests, you won't overwater. The excess runs out the hole. Thanks for watching!

[@kalalit]

That's cool But I think the pie plate will no be able to hold the weight of the soil for long. Especially for 5 gallon bucket

[@BackToBasics001]

These are 3 gallon pots, so you may need to add support. With these, having 3-4 cans underneath has been fine, havne't had anhy cave in yet. Thanks for watching!

[@jazminmarquez3000]

What about two stacked pie plates?

[@noel888]

i guess this would work with flowering plants other than vegetable plants?

[@BackToBasics001]

I don't see why not. It's just an easy way to help water when you are busy. :)

[@ibm450]

Excellent tutorial and love the idea. But...wouldnt there be a quick root bound happening by having 2 peppers in a 3 gallon bucket like that?

[@BackToBasics001]

tolga erok I'll let you know at the end of the season. My friend told me about getting these pails from vendors. He is just using soil (not self watering), and said he plants 2 peppers in each pail every year, so I thought I'd give it a try. His do real well. I did however only put one tomato plant in my others.

[@ibm450]

Excellent. Keep us posted. We have entered winter here in western australia so I'll have to wait until next season. I was planning to use coconut coir and use hydroponic solution into this same setup as yours. You wouldn't have a spare setup lying around and trail out using just coconut coir mix with a pepper.....so for asking just curious to see how well or would it work over on your side as you'll into summer already

[@aleyalan2010]

N how the peppers did?

[@MarysUTubeVideos]

Hello curious to know how the pepper and scorpion plant did together?

[@lynhead52]

Where do you buy net pots?

[@newbiegardenerhi3680]

Wont the soil of the net pot leach into the water ? What can go wrong in this model of self watering container and how to fix ?

[@kf4hnf]

Hi Ernest Great channel I just subbed, Had to find a video of you with your name because you sound a lot like Gary Pilarchik (The Rusted Garden). Anywho the reason I posted is to tell your viewers to check with there locale recycler. Here where I live the company specializes in metal but they have a contract with local hospitals and other large food institutions to remove there food grade buckets and they give them away for free. If any of you live in barren county KY. go to MSR. they give them for free. Thanks Lawrence, KF4HNF

[@Dandymoments]

thank you

[@russellt9059]

If using a 5 gallon bucket what can I use instead of lid

[@WatchinLeague]

Probably a bad idea to use an aluminum pie plate

[@lilygen913]

where the roots going thru? Because there is No many holes in the pie plate... i watched other youtube video that their pie plate has many holes so that the roots will get into it and reach the nutrients...

[@dinakamal481]

nice

[@deltatherapeutics9870]

No need for all those extra holes. Good video, interesting project - condense to 5-6 min video with text and less talk - even better.

[@loycemarch8409]

Will the peppers cross pollinate?

[@annierosha5946]

I enjoyed the video. The only thing that concerned me is cutting open the red plastic cups instead of reusing them. We have too much plastic going to landfill already so reusing would make me feel better. I get that you didn't want to damage roots but I still think the cup could have been saved while removing the plant. Otherwise a great video - thanks.

[@gofigure4920]

I would NOT use dyed mulch. A landscaper professional told me it creates funguses. You don't want weird alien toxic mushrooms that stink to grow. Use natural undyed mulch or small nuggets, etc.

[@MrTom11407]

Where do you get net cups

[@BackToBasics001]

Do a search on Amazon or visit you local hydroponics store.

[@freedombee9900]

A plastic lid from an old icecream container (or similar) would be better than foil. Foil is amde from aluminium which is proven to contribute toward dementia. Good video other than that though!

[@davidthomson5507]

A link between aluminium and dementia was postulated in 1965 and this theory has been circulating ever since. There has been no causal link ever shown between aluminium (which occurs naturally in the environment) and dementia. In any event, when aluminium is exposed to oxygen an outer boundary layer of aluminium oxide forms almost instantaneously thereby preventing any further reactions with the aluminium below.

[@janinasimons8533]

@@davidthomson5507 Sorry wrong... but it is the aluminum particles.... so a plate is not a problem because you cant scratch of lift pieces of alumiunum... eg like Aluminum fry pans which get scratched.... Maybe you dont think I has been proved, but common sense states that you dont eat aluminum, or teflon which is the non stick in a lot of fry pan which comes off if scratched. And people just love their microwave.. I didnt mind it cause it saved time when I worked late... until i saw what the radiation did... and how much radiation it emits even being off. Better safe than sorry. Enjoy

[@loycemarch8409]

Dyed wood chips are not for me.

[@myallen2k]

good

[@BackToBasics001]

Thanks!

[@aprilbatzle7956]

You really should have only put one plant in there. Why are you using died wood chips as mulch ? The dye on wood chip could be toxic

[@PWinmusic]

leeching plastics into our food...

[@lillycook1781]

repurpose!

[@morespamfortom]

So there you have it.

[@BackToBasics001]

Exactly :) Thanks for watching.