Making a Self watering Container for Veggie Growing

[@Bezial-do4vg]

Excellent video. I made wicking beds out of old fridges and freezers (24 of them) as our soil here is rubbish and full of huge rocks so very difficult to grow veggies in ground. Your tutorial is very clear, informative and enjoyable. Thank you for sharing how to do this :)

[@PhilipRhoadesP]

Many thanks for this video - I had just looked at the small commercial stuff recently and came to the same conclusion as you! I also appreciated the interspersed humour during construction!

[@underthechokotree2792]

Thank you sir :-) It was my pleasure!

[@joannelbm]

Thank you. Using the container lid is such a clever way to make these!

[@underthechokotree2792]

My pleasure Ma'am :-)

[@annettejones8095]

Currently have 2 of your containers with beetroot, broccoli and kale, all going great guns, now up to there 4th year of use!

[@eppingquiltersincnsw8607]

Thank you for sharing. Very practical.

[@underthechokotree2792]

My pleasure! :-)

[@amandalockwood6650]

Thank you for a great idea😊

[@beingreenpermaculture8613]

Great concept, wicking beds. I would question the black container - I think at my place it would get too hot. I use polystyrene boxes.

[@underthechokotree2792]

We are in western Sydney, get over 40C regularly and almost 50C last summer. Keep the water up and there are no problems. :-)

[@angelau1194]

Thanks Nev. I have some variations of these round my garden but I'm going to give these a go too : )

[@kimzachris5340]

Thanks! I could definitely use some of these on my balcony where it is hard to give plants a steady and sufficient supply of water in the warmer months. Will probably cover up the plastic with a nice fabric or something though. :)

[@underthechokotree2792]

Cool! I like yer thinking! :-)

[@joelwatson4867]

Thanks for vid, I'll give it a go, the water runs out quick on my cheap shop bought containers. Would a sandy gravel in the pot be the best for wicking, or just soil or bark and compost potting mix?

[@underthechokotree2792]

Hey Joel, I just use the growing medium from the rest of the container, nothing special in the pot and it works well! :)

[@MataH1]

Very useful thanks!

[@joelwatson4867]

This video Really got me thinking. I have a question of a system I was contemplating. What sort of water height would be the max in your opinion? I was thinking of digging a hole, and installing a bathtub, drilling an overflow hole/holes, and piping downhill from the garden bed, then putting a grid mesh on top, with your pot design for wicking up, and building a small raised bed above. Would this theory work? Using some vertical storm water pipe for supporting the grid. I'm very inspired by the waterup company, here is a link to a great project they are doing in this regard. www.waterups.com.au/building-wicking-beds-in-retaining-walls/ (PS, these systems are almost plastic pallets ;)

[@underthechokotree2792]

Hi Joel, your bathtub idea should work, people also use bathtubs to make wicking beds - www.underthechokotree.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=404:making-a-bathtub-wicking-bed&catid=50:containers&Itemid=37

[@joelwatson4867]

@@underthechokotree2792 Cool sounds great, thanks. I'll just check the water catchment area before hand to make sure I have enough overflow installed.