How to build A 5-Gallon Bucket Water Wicking Growing System | Read Video Description for UPDATE...

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thank you everyone who has watched this episode of the Urban Gardener. I have many more adventures posted here on KZbin and many more to come. Please subscribe and follow along. I would love to have you here on my channel!

[@pobedapatsfan]

my only issue with this is the amount of (non-food-grade) plastic you'll have up against your roots, with the intense sun and temp changes breaking down into micro-plastics for toxic trace-element uptake..

[@reidkg12]

My daughters and I want to do a wicking system. I have seen many many ways to do this but I keep going back to this because of the simplicity. We are going to make these for our Spring vegetables. Thank you for sharing this.... and my girls are excited to call the local restaurants for 5 gallon buckets!

[@theUrbanGardener]

That is awesome! I hope they enjoy not only growing in them but the process of making them with you. thank you for the comment and be sure to follow along with us as we are starting a new show for our channel, check it out at www.letsgetgrowing.live and maybe you could do an audience introduction with your girls.

[@leetourgee6016]

Your videos inspired my little adaptation. Ditched the PVC fill tube and added an irrigation hole at the base below the overflow. Setting up automatic watering every 4 days. Thank you!

[@theUrbanGardener]

Your welcome, auto watering is a great way to cut the work down even more.

[@theconsciousroom2733]

Your demonstration on making a self watering five gallon pot was the best

[@theUrbanGardener]

The Cleveland Gardener I seriously appreciate that comment so much. I still grow with them and believe they are a great growing system for any urban garden. Thanks again...

[@rubyred1100]

the Urban Gardener k

[@dannyprice5219]

Very clear instructional video on making these growing buckets. I will be using your setup for the buckets and Leon’s way of fertilizing. Thanks!

[@theUrbanGardener]

Awesome, thank you! I love these containers, they work very well for me.

[@pennytaketa4209]

One of the clearest videos I've seen on wicking buckets. Thank you!

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thank You I appreciate that!

[@marcrobyn4844]

I have watched a bunch of videos on these. You got right to the point. Best tutorial I have seen yet, but that drill, damn is it noisy lol.

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thank you! Still using these in my garden spaces. Great container system.

[@MichaelBartz-q5g]

I have roots growing into the water reserve. eventually it started to smell and the plant did not flourish. I line the top container with landscape fabric and use a clay pot filled with sand as a wick. No matter now tight I button things up the roots find their way down. I am only going to use it for green peppers or smaller. Thanks

[@theUrbanGardener]

Sometimes during wetter times of the year you can empty the reservoir and even clean it out, I do this a least once a year. Roots reaching for the water isn't a bad thing. I wouldn't think that sand would make a good wick though and the buckets don't need liners at all. These systems are great just as they are, I have been using them for about a decade now and they are awesome for so many food bearing crops.

[@denisewilson2719]

First time trying this and we are having great success. Thank you!

[@theUrbanGardener]

So glad to hear that! I have used these for years with really good success. Thanks for leaving a comment. I hope you like the channel.

[@catw5294]

Love the idea of the double bucket. so much easier than trying to cut lids to fit etc. I've failed at container gardening in the past d/t plants drying out and my work schedule. I have the land but not the time so I really appreciate people posting how they urban garden, Btw LOVE the kitty video-bomb - Karl is a cutie-pie. Thx

[@theUrbanGardener]

Cat W Thanks for watching. I hope you get a chance to try these out. Please check out our other videos too. 🙂

[@reneejamieson6622]

Do you pack your soil? Do you saturate your soil with water to start your wicking?

[@theUrbanGardener]

You always want to lightly pack in any plant start to give the roots a foundation to grow in and always water them in to give them the best start.

[@kaisokesua4956]

Thanks, this process is very simple and less cumbersome, you just need to get an extra bucket. Love it!

[@theUrbanGardener]

Yes they work really well. I have enjoyed using them for several years now.

[@patrickhaupt5723]

The cable tie was a nice new twist.

[@thruthelookinglass69]

Love a great system. Best wiking bucket that I've seen yet, Thank you !!

[@theUrbanGardener]

No thank you for such an awesome compliment!

[@AnnieO4eva]

Great video thanks for the step by step. For aesthetics and finishing touches, I would probably paint my outer bucket to add a pop of color to the yard! This would be a great project for kids of any age and being able to paint and design the outside of "their" container even more personal. I find most gardeners also have a little creative side to them as well.

[@theUrbanGardener]

I do prefer the white buckets because they reflect sunlight well helping keep the containers cooler during the heat of the summer, but adding some art to them would be a great way to add some character to your garden space!

[@gforcekaras]

@@theUrbanGardener white buckets would allow light to pass thru and cause algae. I now line my buckets with plastic grow bags that's white on the outside and black on the inside as to block any light from coming passing thru.

[@andrewnaeseth8490]

Safety glasses very good

[@theUrbanGardener]

Yes indeed, I do prefer to keep my eyes...lol

[@donaldduke2233]

Great video! Thanks for sharing it.

[@theUrbanGardener]

You are welcome and thank you for leaving a comment, so glad you enjoyed it. Feel free to share it too.

[@carolinehatley9393]

I will be planting my first garden this year. In the past it has been tomatoes only. Your videos are great and will refer back to them often. Thank you

[@theUrbanGardener]

I hope your gardens are doing well. I hope you are still enjoying the videos. Thank you for the great compliment!

[@timdouglass6491]

I've watched several videos on building a self watering bucket and your video is the best yet. Thank you

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thank you Tim! I really appreciate that wonderful compliment. I really like this bucket system.

[@SunnySingh-in9pu]

Best and easy way. Thx for the video.

[@theUrbanGardener]

You are welcome, I hope you come back for more videos. Gearing up right now for this new season and will have new videos coming in a couple weeks.

[@richlaue]

One note I have, with the 3" hole go forward until the center bit goes through, then drill the main hole in reverse. Give a cleaner cut

[@theUrbanGardener]

I am going to put together some new ones, and I am going to try this for sure! Thanks for the suggestion.

[@DJ2020DJ2020]

I used this advice and it really helped make a clean cut.

[@tevhidtevhid5727]

I wish you luck, if we don't add peat. How about we add only red soil? Does this system work

[@augustmoon5935]

Wow! Nice looking garden!

[@theUrbanGardener]

So nice of you, it's nice to see the hard work pay off.

[@everseeking60]

Excellent. Love it. Great video demonstration.

[@theUrbanGardener]

You should check out the new updated video I made this season, there's a link in the video description above...

[@everseeking60]

@@theUrbanGardener oh cool! Il check it out...thanks !

[@johnavgoustis3372]

Great video! I set up 6 of these for this summers veggies! Question: I'll be going away for a month in July and will have someone watering my containers. How often should I have them stop by to refill the reservoir (assuming it'll be plenty hot). Thanks again for the great videos!

[@theUrbanGardener]

During the hottest part of our summer here I have to fill them up about every other day, but most of the summer they can go every three or four days.

[@judyreyes5228]

If I am understanding the purpose of wicking, isn't it the soil (in the netted cup) that becomes the wick? The water travels up the "wick" and then the capillary action takes place as it finds the roots of the plant.

[@theUrbanGardener]

You got it exactly! Thanks for checking out our channel.

[@davidhuerta1846]

Great ideas! Got to try this out!

[@theUrbanGardener]

You should!

[@homesteading]

Good demonstration of how to build the self wicking bucket system. Well done.

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thank you. I really do like these buckets. For small space gardeners they really do the trick!

[@rubyewiggins4926]

I also put a sock around the netcup allowing the water to wick but preventing the soul from escaping through the netcup holes

[@bobpeterson1123]

Excellent explanation UG! WOW, the plant can lose it's soul?

[@mandiegarrett1706]

@@bobpeterson1123 LOL...I was thinking the same thing at first...then of course realize it's misspell...but have a good laugh:)))

[@litahsr.8226]

worked great all summer! Thanks 😊

[@akey3485]

If you're not going to water via a watering drip type tube, I suggest using a one inch diameter pvc pipe to enable watering via a garden hose. Any negative consequences using a one inch tube?

[@theUrbanGardener]

A larger tube would work fine, I just use a funnel.

[@vietnamvet6474]

Do you fill the bucket with soil then put the plant in are do you put the plant in the cup and add soil as it grows?

[@theUrbanGardener]

You fill the bucket. However with a stem rooting plant like a tomato I would fill half-way, plant, then wait till the plant grows up out of the bucket and then back-fill.

[@Ree11Ree]

I like this wicking tutorial better than the one I've seen Leon do. My question is, does one 3" basket supply enough water coverage, if I put two in the bottom , at opposite sides, will that be too much?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Ree11Ree It’s has worked well this way, but by all means try two and let me know if that works well for you. That’s what is so great about gardening is all of the fun experiments we can try...

[@daphnesmith2347]

Thank you!

[@TheMartiniDiva]

Would LECA clay pebbles in the 3" cup, instead of soil, wick the water up into the soil?

[@theUrbanGardener]

I am not sure that that would work. You could experiment with this if you have to stuff to do so. It would be interesting to see. 😃

[@lorihartling6587]

I love your video... Will you confirm the width of the PVC tube. I think you said 1/2" but it looks larger in the video. TY!!!!

[@theUrbanGardener]

Yes, half inch. If you like gardening you should check out some of our other videos and livestreams. 😀

[@florence775]

What are you using to cover the netting pot to keep dirt out of your water??

[@theUrbanGardener]

No need to worry about that. Any soil loss into the water is fine, nothing wrong with it. If you pack it in good there won’t be much anyway.

[@trailerparkcryptoking5213]

May need a quick moment for a basic explanation about capillary action. It looks like most people don’t understand how the water is pulled upwards into the soil? They think the roots have to grow to the bottom of the bucket to reach water.

[@YevgenyZharovsky]

It's the little plastic cup filled with soil that is supposed to wick the water up, correct? I watched another video that claims because that cup of soil will be perpetually wet it will grow unwanted things and could lead to disease of the plant. Any truth to that, any concerns? And how long has "the Urban Gardener" been using this system?

[@chingoc1050]

You explain things so well, thank you very.

[@theUrbanGardener]

Great compliment thank you. I hope you get to check out some of our other gardening videos. 🙂

[@CatsEyeArt5150]

What type of soil are you doing in these? What are your additives? How often do you refill the water? Thank you! I've seen several bucket garden vids and I like this system the best 👌

[@theUrbanGardener]

Aimy Deisher A good composted soil. I usually use a general all purpose organic dry fertilizer. And refilling the water depends on the weather, when it’s cool maybe once in two weeks or so, when it’s hot about every other day maybe three.

[@jimmorton1169]

What kind of owl/bird is that in the background (5:20 for example)? Very nice bucket system too! I'll be using it this year.

[@theUrbanGardener]

I think that is a dove that my neighbor had. It would get away sometimes and would always fly into one of my bushes.

[@MrPatvee]

cool. nice drill.

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thanks 👍

[@marksTips466]

great video, quick question: about the many little holes you drilled in the top bucket; will they be under water or will the water level be below them?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Good question! Sorry I seemed to have missed this question. The holes on the side of the bottom bucket are at a level to make sure water is below the bottom of the inner bucket.

[@ujjwalme2182]

How does newly vegetable 15 plant gets the water since the root does not goes deep

[@theUrbanGardener]

Plants soak up the water into the root systems, through wicking.

[@marksTips466]

Question: when you put one bucket inside the other, is there MORE than 3 inches gap so that the net pot does not get pushed up into the inner bucket?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Yes, most 5 gallon buckets allow enough room for the net pot with about an inch of room below.

[@marksTips466]

@@theUrbanGardener thanks!

[@michaelhunt1238]

Great design! 👍

[@janetbiz3880]

These ones let the roots grow down into the water.....others I have seen let the plants "air prune" the roots to form a more compact root ball....I like the way you made your buckets and the demo was clear and precise...but just wondering if the air pruning is a better option...

[@aljogosselin]

Great video, but I wondered about fertilizing during growing season? Do you have ant ideas?

[@theUrbanGardener]

You fertilize as you would any other plant.

[@lucilleteal6370]

What fertilizer do you use in your containers,

[@theUrbanGardener]

This year I am using Johnny Appleseed Organic “Climate Gard” organic fertilizer.

[@sandyrivers692]

When I drill into plastic I make sure to clean up the debris left behind. It looks like something birds would like to eat.

[@rickeycarter1413]

how do you know where to put the side hole on the bottom bucket

[@theUrbanGardener]

I line them up with the bottom of the inner bucket. You don’t want them higher than that so the inner bucket isn’t flooded with water.

[@jlford5626]

We are going to make our container gardens based on this video. We will share our progress with you.

[@theUrbanGardener]

Awesome! I look forward to hearing back from you. And I hope you like the system

[@lolodavis2020]

If I am using a 3/4 inch PCV pipe. What size bit would I use to drill the hole for the pipe?

[@theUrbanGardener]

I would think it would be the same, 3/4 or the next size up. Doesn't need to be totally sealed so a 7/8 could work. I hope that helps.

[@gggooogggttt]

I just made some up using 3/4" pvc and the OD of it is 1", so I used a 1" drill bit and the pipe pushes through the hole easily but nice & snug.

[@cameriqueTV]

Sorry, but when you drilled the holes in the PVC, did those micro-plastic particles get swept into the environment, or safe disposal?

[@trailertrash20010]

I currently have 9 self watering buckets that i made and are working great. I used miracle grow potting mix that states that it will feed for 6 months. Should i be good for the season? Amd also what is the method of adding fertilizer? Add it to the top or add it to the reservoir? Only part that I'm confused about and cannot find an answer for any where...

[@theUrbanGardener]

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, and thanks for the comment. I get fertilizer to the plants by applying it to the top, I just use the bottom for delivery of water to the roots system. Basically just to keep the plants hydrated. I hope that helps.

[@trailertrash20010]

@@theUrbanGardener it really does!. 1st year doing my own gardening and have 9 self wicking 5 gallon buckets with bell pepper, sweet banana and 3 varieties of tomatoes and they all love this system and have grown much quicker and fuller versus just a standard bucket!

[@matthewjmedeiros]

Would you want to add a landscape fabric to stop the dirt getting in the water?

[@theUrbanGardener]

I have never done that, but I am sure it would be fine if you did.

[@ozankaya]

So, you have to keep watering from the top until the roots are long enough to get to the bottom. Am I right?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Water will wick up into the buckets and keep the soil moist. Just gotta make sure to keep enough water in the bottom bucket.

[@rhondapelletier2141]

My same thought...... if it is a small seedling plant pepper or tomato don’t understand how it gets watered if the roots are so tiny and so far away from the wicking point...........?????? But, I will try@!

[@kirkjohnson4569]

@@rhondapelletier2141 roots don't have reach the bottom. The water wicks up to the roots

[@glenncordova4027]

​@@rhondapelletier2141 The soil in the net pot wicks water from the bottom reservoir into the soil, so the soil is always moist. The plants roots do the rest.

[@OfftoShambala]

How often do you have to refill the water? And why is this not like standing water that we have always been told not to let our plants sit in?

[@theUrbanGardener]

The water is wicking into the soil and the plant only wicks up as it is needed as the plant drys. I flush and refill about once a week, and every two to three days during the summer months.

[@kickford]

Very good informative video. Im going to try this technique as i have had so much trouble with my typical garden and the poor soil nutrients and with clay compaction. I do have one question, have you found any issues with the buckets or water in the bottom getting too hot on those warm summer days. Thanks!

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thanks for watching and checking out our channel. They don't get too hot during the summer days, the white buckets help by being reflective of the light. We get some hot summers here and I have been using these for a few years now.

[@WhitepepperFarmshomestead]

Well you officially have me here for the long run! Great work!

[@theUrbanGardener]

I am so glad to have you here! I hope you get to enjoy more videos, and give me some more feedback. Plus check out my Wednesday Live...TY again!

[@unknowncomic617]

Best idea I've seen so far

[@ronwilson330]

Do you have a video on your soil mixture for the containers?

[@theUrbanGardener]

I showed that in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKCvaYttpqdgg9U

[@glenncordova4027]

If you don't want to mix your own soil then any brand of potting mix works well. It is just more expensive using store bought. Remember use "POTTING MIX" not potting soil, compost or garden soil.

[@BenjasUberHobby]

Great video :) Looks like a great watering system :) Thanks for sharing :)

[@theUrbanGardener]

They really work well, especially for my pepper plants.

[@keithmorris688]

@@theUrbanGardener Very Well Expkanied you leave No Questions to be asked, Thanks looking forward to see next,

[@moharak]

How big are holes in the bottom? Looks like about 1/4"

[@theUrbanGardener]

That would be fine, you just need some extra holes around the bottom for additional drainage. Not too big, either, you don’t want soil to fall through.

[@moharak]

@@theUrbanGardener Thanks for speedy reply. I ended up using 1/4". As u mentioned the roots might want some room to get out and that seemed like a good compromise. I am also going to envelop the net baskets in a cotton knee high sock and wedge them in place then cut the socks length wise to create 4 wicks. That should keep the soil in the basket from washing out and help draw water up into the soil via the cotton.

[@allanferrio4377]

What size drill bit to use to make the drain holes on bottom bucket for drains and what size holes/drill bit to use on the top bucket to secure the pvc pipe?

[@theUrbanGardener]

I don't know off hand, but I do believe I put that in the description as well as the other needed supplies.

[@joandixon9286]

You didn’t say what size of drill bit to make the drain holes. I watched and took notes.

[@deborahpennington6860]

@@joandixon9286 was wondering the same thing & so far haven't seen/heard a reply. Inquiring minds want to know!!

[@peggyhall7465]

Ok... lots of questions. First last spring I made about 12 of these it worked pretty well but when the season was over and I took the containers apart there was a lot of algae in the water. Also many of the plant’s roots had progressed into the bottom creating a mass of roots all sitting in the water. Is this what suppose to happen? I want to this spring do potatoes and True Yams in the buckets is this possible?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Yes, because the buckets are white they allow a lot of light into the bottom bucket with the water and some algae will grow. This will be fine for your plants and the roots that have made their way down to drink. I just use a scrubber wand and wash them out as I prep for the new season. I have grown potatoes with success in a regular 5 gallon bucket, so I don't see why they wouldn't work in these. Give it a try and let us know how that turns out. I hope you check out some more of our content here on "the Urban Gardener" and let us know what you think. Thanks for watching!

[@HS37090]

I can’t find you on FB. I just wish you had finished the 5 gallon bucket video to the end. You put the drain holes in and I just put the dirt on top of the whole pipe on the bottom I’m actually kind a lost

[@theUrbanGardener]

It might help to watch the next episode. Episode 19 I fill them and plant out some peppers 🌶 in them.

[@absolute757]

What about root rot from the roots being wet all the time?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Roots start to rot from infection. Like when there are no holes in the pot and the accumulated water start to go anaerobic. Sometimes a fungal infection will cause this or some micro pests too. But the only issue here is drying out. As that will on hot days air prune your roots. But no worries there because the life of the plants are in the container hopefully wicking plenty of water into the root structure.

[@tinapadilla3010]

Another awesome video!

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thank you Tina for watching. And the awesome comment!

[@rubyewiggins4926]

I've made these before and I think I'll put a larger diameter PVC pipe in because I don't know how you would water it through that small of a diameter pipe,you can't even get the hose in the end of that

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thanks for the comments, I just bought a funnel at the dollar store and water with that.

[@donald852]

What if your container in the bottom is more than. 3. Inches

[@theUrbanGardener]

I am guessing you are referring to the drain holes, and you would adjust them accordingly so that they are just below the bottom of the top bucket.

[@cathyathope7962]

What size bit for holes for roots?

[@theUrbanGardener]

A 1/4 inch should do fine, a little bigger or a little smaller is okay too.

[@purrrrson]

I just wanted to make a suggestion. You should put pebbles into that little black basket thingy. They will help to prevent the soil from getting into the bottom where the water is. Definitely, too late for all the ones you've already made but maybe, for future bucket planters!?

[@theUrbanGardener]

The soil is necessary in order to wick the water up into the bucket. Rocks or pebbles wouldn't allow the wicking needed to keep the soil hydrated.

[@rubyewiggins4926]

Preventing the soil from escaping through the netcup holes

[@Puzzlecat]

I have a question about these (I built one today). Is it OK for the net pot to rest on the bottom of the outer bucket, or best to have a gap? Otherwise I followed your instructions, but instead of cutting the pipe at an angle I drilled a bunch of holes in the bottom, and also secured the net pot to the inner bucket with zip ties.

[@theUrbanGardener]

Mine all have a gap because the net pot isn't deep enough to reach the bottom. It would best this way I would say, but if it does hit the bottom it should be okay. The holes are good idea. But the zip ties for the net pot shouldn't be necessary because the soil does the job of keeping them in place, once the soil is in their those pots aren't moving anywhere. So glad you have found this video so helpful and thank you for updating me on your experience with them. Keep in touch.

[@ForceOfWizardry]

is this method good for hot weather? I can imagine the wicking reservoir heating up to dangerous levels on a hot day and destroying all the roots coming out the bottom.

[@theUrbanGardener]

ForceOfWizardry Every container in our gardens face this issue during hot weather, its how we care for plants in containers on hot days that matters. First I like to use the white buckets for their reflective quality. More so than heated water... is drying out, on a hot day they are going to wick up the water very rapidly. So a cool mid day flush helps. It’s more hot day management than anything else. I grew my peppers in these on a rooftop during 100+ heat for a few years, they did great. Thank you so much for the question and watching my videos.

[@zcpyoshi]

Wait so the top bucket has holes in it where you can pour water into it on one side and it’d drain into the bottom bucket and you decided to direct the water into the bottom bucket with an unnecessary pipe?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Interesting viewpoint, the pipe is necessary as to ensure my plants have enough water during the hot days so that I do not have to water everyday. And flowing that much water (enough to fill the bottom) constantly through the soil would only leach out any nutrients I am trying to get to the root systems. I feed from the top and water from the bottom.

[@nancih9812]

So that's how you fixed your buckets. And I appreciated learning how they work. Did you get the buckets from the restraunts free or did you still have to buy them? Your plants look beautiful and love the cats, Carl and Bug. Great video Enoch, thanks! :)

[@theUrbanGardener]

I do get the buckets for free from a local restaurant, it is the best way to go and they are usually willing to give them to you. Carl and Bug my alley cats are also my garden buddies they love to hang around when I am outside working on the home gardens.

[@OfftoShambala]

Wouldn’t you need to still water from the top for a certain amount of time when the plant is younger or newly planted from a transplant whose roots are only maybe 5” deep or so?

[@theUrbanGardener]

I water from the top and foliar feed every couple weeks with a fertilizer. But the roots do not need to get to the bottom as the water wicks up into the soil.

[@ChristopherBrandsdal]

Yet another great epidode! I envy your grow zone! Haha

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thanks Christopher, I am glad you like the program I have put together. Your support is so appreciated. I wish it could be a little bit cooler at times, but it is a great sunny area here in Oregon. About to get warmer too.

[@dianebeland3290]

Where do you get the net pots?

[@theUrbanGardener]

I buy them in bulk on Amazon.

[@Elementaldomain]

If you first glue (just using a glue gun) a lid to the bottom of the top bucket, then you have a 5 gallon reservoir instead of 3 inches. Then you drill thru both the lid and the bottom of the top bucket at the same time. I air pruned my top bucket. 7/8" line of vertical holes all around the bucket, then on the outside i attached shade cloth. If you have to really save water the way I do in the desert, You can run a small aquarium pump back up to the top bucket.

[@mandiegarrett1706]

Hi, I just found your suggestions which I found very intriguing and I think it would work great for big plants like tomatoes that drink lots of water. Few questions for clarification, what do you mean by " I air pruned my top bucket" and 7/8" line of vertical holes all around the the bucket, and attached shade cloth on the outside...what is the purpose of shade cloth? If I ran a small aquarium pump back up to the top bucket, do I have to drill another hole from the side of the bottom bucket for pump tubing to come out and place into the pvc pipe hole where I would normally water using water hose? Do you have a video on how to make this? Thank you very much.

[@Elementaldomain]

@@mandiegarrett1706 The bottom bucket is used as a water reservoir only. The top bucket has the holes in it. You want a straight line of 7/8” holes (use a spade bit) drilled starting from 1” below the rim of the top bucket, down to the bottom of the bucket - going all around the bucket, and also on the bottom of the top bucket, drilling completely through the lid on the bottom bucket. Then fill the top bucket with a combination of perlite, coco, and vermiculite - 1/3 of each is fine. The shade cloth going around the entire top bucket covers all the holes so that the soil does not come out the holes and keeps some pests from infiltrating the soil. It also keeps the soil from drying out as fast. You can of course, use an aquarium pump to recycle the water in the bottom bucket up to the top bucket. But I live in the desert and because tomato plants use a lot of water, I water the soil bucket every day. 5 gallons isn’t much for a large tomato plant. This system works as a safe guard against root rot. You have a root system in the top bucket, and some roots will grow thru the holes you drilled thru the lid that sits on the bottom bucket. Just make sure you drill holes thru both the lid and the bottom of the top bucket. You can easily do this by turning the top bucket upside down on the ground, then putting the lid on, then drill. I use a 1/2” drill bit. Put rocks in the bottom of the top bucket and this will keep the soil from dropping through the holes into the water reservoir. I use hydrastone but regular gravel is fine. In synopsis, the holes drilled in the top bucket is known as an air-pruned pot. In an air-pruned pot the roots will grow to the holes you drilled and stop. No circling of roots. The plant then just keeps putting out new roots, they grow to the holes and stop growing. This results in the roots being more numerous and thinner. This is what you want. The more roots in that pot, the healthier the plant will be and will not become as stressed which leads to disease and pestilence. This year I dug holes and buried the water reservoir bucket. It kept the water cooler and also kept the water from growing algae.

[@johnbryant-ch5md]

Sounds interesting I think I will try one of these builds... When air pumping back into the top bucket should you water close to the top of the top bucket or toward the middle

[@rolandgadue4351]

I saw a couple of videos where they placed plastic on the topsoil to retain moisture. Is that necessary?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Although not totally necessary a mulch of some sort is always good for your topsoil. When I grew my peppers on the rooftop I used perlite as a mulch because it is white and also reflects the sunlight away from the top. Thanks for watching my video I hope you enjoy more of them.

[@mamabearC879]

Thank you .

[@theUrbanGardener]

You bet!

[@chuscaace6321]

Great video!

[@theUrbanGardener]

Chusca Acevedo Thank you, I hope you find it useful.

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Great video! Love the bucket system and your garden setup. Subbed and liked!

[@theUrbanGardener]

"Subbed and Liked!" now that is what I like to hear! Thank you so much CB for the encouraging comments.

[@camday2043]

Also could I fill the Netpots with pearlite then potting soil to fill the grow container?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Cam Day not sure if that would work.

[@camday2043]

For larger plants like indeterminate tomatoes, would 2 or 3 of the net pots be beneficial?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Cam Day it’s a very interesting idea in general. I might try one and see.

[@JuanMiro507]

im wondering about the air needed for the roots... supposedly when using this method, you need some area of air, otherwise the plant might die.

[@theUrbanGardener]

Roots will die off when in direct air, some gardeners use the method of root pruning. But in these buckets it is not necessary to have some area of air.

[@gregspence4692]

have you grown potatoes in the wicking system

[@theUrbanGardener]

No I haven't yet, but stay tuned because that is a great suggestion and I might just do that this year!

[@gregspence4692]

@@theUrbanGardener Yeah I think I will try it as well you have convinced me to give wicking buckets a try.

[@jaskeda]

I wonder why you just need one bucket, I use a used disposable 10 inches plastic disk to separate the water reservoir and soil.

[@theUrbanGardener]

We use the two bucket system in order to get all of the soil space out of the top bucket, we don't want to limit the root growth anymore than we have to. I have seen other versions of this with plastic bottles at the bottom of the bucket and that is just too much lost space for our plants.

[@litahsr.8226]

looks great that's what i'm gonna do but I have a question have u ever tried a sponge in the net pot ? 8:20

[@theUrbanGardener]

Lit' AHSr. No I haven’t, but I would imagine the sponge would also have to get into the bottom portion of soil in order to wick into the rest of the soil for the roots.

[@sergeygerasimov8249]

Supper Thank you.

[@theUrbanGardener]

You are welcome and thank you for watching my video. I hope you check out more videos. Hope to hear from you again.

[@anushberry]

Thanks

[@theUrbanGardener]

No problem

[@troybassett3123]

Great Video!! I was just wondering would it help to put a Aquarium Air system with the stones down in the water? Any thoughts??

[@theUrbanGardener]

Troy Bassett I wouldn’t think it would be necessary. Although cycling through cool water on hot days would help.

[@theUrbanGardener]

@GPAGE The stones in the cup would not help the water wick up into the soil.

[@theUrbanGardener]

@GPAGE You are welcome, thank you for checking out our channel. Happy Gardening!

[@ronskotnicki5115]

How far down into water reserve should you put PVC?

[@theUrbanGardener]

It is cut at an angle to allow it to go all the way to the bottom.

[@Puzzlecat]

Hey man, so about three weeks after I got one of these going, I noticed the soil in the net pot has basically disintegrated away into the reservoir. Wondering if there is a tip to preventing this, perhaps type of soil, or even if there is an alternative medium that can perform the wicking without it eroding away.

[@theUrbanGardener]

I haven't had that problem yet. I do pack the soil in real tight though. Also when I plant my peppers in deep they grow their roots into the net pot really quickly and lock in the soil.

[@Puzzlecat]

the Urban Gardener thanks. I looked at that one, and despite the wicking pot soil half missing plenty of roots are coming through it and the other holes, so I think I am good! The other one I made since was much tighter so he's good too.

[@absolute757]

U can line the net pot with a rag or something to keep the soil in and allow for water to soak in.

[@joandixon9286]

@@absolute757 wonder instead of lining with a rag, why not industrial weed cloth?

[@nancylowe5921]

can you tell me how you feed the plants and how do you apply

[@theUrbanGardener]

nancy lowe You could scratch in some dry organic all purpose fertilizer into the soil and water from the top a couple times a season. Or a liquid fertilizer into the bottom and also spray onto plants as a foliar feed.

[@itsarni]

How many gallons of water can be held in the reservoir? Thanks.

[@theUrbanGardener]

I would say around a gallon or so. Thanks for watching!

[@paulpieretti9771]

can i use 4" and 5 " and 6 in. net pot ? i have a lots

[@theUrbanGardener]

Yes, it is better to use what you already have. Obviously you just gotta get the hole drilled to fit . Thank you for joining me here, and commenting!