SELF-WATERING containers | ONLY .75 cents or LESS!

[@theUrbanGardener]

*_I hope you get out to a local business, find some buckets that you could reclaim, and put together some of these great "self-watering" systems for your container garden._*

[@BramptonGardener]

I've got tons of buckets from work hahaha.

[@theUrbanGardener]

@@BramptonGardener I think of it as a great way to keep them out of landfills and repurposed to help grow food.

[@andreb877]

Hi, great video. Liked and subscribed. Do you have any recommendations on the best soil mix for wicking buckets? I've been checking around on YT for a good "recipe" but there are so many variations I'm not sure which way to go. Any thoughts you can share??

[@bucktaylor4960]

Terrible video,no explanation how you do those buckets,how is arrange for self watering.

[@tylerjones1574]

The old frosting buckets! My dad is the bakery manager at an Albertsons so he always brought these home by the dozen. They are surprisingly UV resistant, we could get about 5-7 years before they started to get brittle.

[@theUrbanGardener]

In full sun too, I have some that have been in partial sun that have lasted longer.

[@glenncordova4027]

I have high altitude desert sun here in central New Mexico and mine are starting their fifth year of service now, in fine shape.

[@madajuarez7073]

Thank you for putting together such of educational video, easy to understand and follow 🙏🏾

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thank you for such a great complement! Hope you enjoy our other content as well. 😀

[@elizabethblane201]

I think the best description is "SIP", sub-irrigated planter. In San Diego, mine last only 2-3 years before our strong sun causes them to start breaking.

[@theUrbanGardener]

We get really hot summers here so I rotate my containers around each year to give a bit more life to them. But I do get about 4-5 years before chipping and another 2 until they really start to fall apart beyond use.

[@abigailhaddock7319]

I would like to see a video on how you build a frame to hold the buckets up off the ground. After watching this video I am going to upgrade all my container buckets this year!

[@theUrbanGardener]

That's awesome, I hope they do as good for you as they did for me. I might have to build a new elevated frame for them and make a video soon.

[@cece4764]

You did a great job with this video. Very informative

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thank you so much! I love these containers, I hope you do too!

[@davidjeromedawson]

Dang. That store had the “cleanest and most organized “ area for disposal I’ve ever seen. Was that a Sam’s Club?

[@GardeningwithDave]

First time here and I already subscribed! A local garden friend has been growing tomatoes and peppers using 5 gallon buckets for years. Beautiful set up!

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thanks Dave! I truly appreciate your support and subscribing. These containers work so well. Let me know if you make some.

[@KeepOnGrowin]

That's awesome! I have to look around more. I think they caught on and most try to sell them to you here, lol. Still, one buck ain't that bad. 👍👍

[@theUrbanGardener]

Not bad at all. So many places have things they use that come in buckets, and most actually just toss them out. Unless someone asks for them. Also don’t want to get or use a bucket that was used for chemicals. I have been liking what you have been doing with the sci-fi special effects, very cool. Thanks for the comments, I appreciate the support!

[@mrpoole404]

Firehouse Subs charges $3 for each bucket and lid

[@cheflife420]

Got all that stuff doing this see how it gos thank you

[@theUrbanGardener]

That’s awesome! Be sure to let me know how it goes.

[@vivianpham7291]

Thank you , will do it , good ideas

[@theUrbanGardener]

These are great planters, hope you get some good plants out of them. Happy Gardening!

[@rcmclaug]

Skip to 4:40 for the instructions

[@johnndavis7647]

I have been growing things in 5 gallon buckets set in 42" kidde pools filled with wood chips The kidde pools have holes drilled about two inches from the bottom so the pool can hold some water but not too much. This has worked pretty well but this summer has been unusully hot and dry. I lost a few plants this summer because i don't have time to water every day, I have plenty of 5 gallon buckets so i am looking at ways to make double bucket planter pots. I think i am going to pour two gallons of water in a pot and measure how far up the bucket it goes then drill an overflow hole there. Then set an empty bucket in the pot and see how many inches there are between the rim of the bottom bucket and the re-enforcing ring for the upper bucket handle with two gallons of water in the bottom bucket. W hern i get that measurement i can make all of the buckets the same. Then cut four 1x2s that lenght and use 3/4" screws to attach them to the outside of the upper bucket. Drill from the inside of the bucket if possible. Or predrill holes through the wood and the bucket from the outside and use a screwdriver to drive the screws from the inside. That will support the weight of the upper bucket full of soil without getting the buckets stuck together. I hope to be able to water twice a week even in hot weather. That micro fiber towel idea sounds pretty good. I have as bolt of cotton cloth thst i might try the first year to see how it goes. Thanks for the video.

[@theUrbanGardener]

These buckets we make here are the best that I have found and have used them for almost ten years now. I wouldn't make your overflow holes too high up as to not saturate your soil when full or if it rains.

[@DGoodrich]

You didn't mention the type of soil you are using. Did you make it yourself, or is it bagged? Recipe?

[@jeffreyhilbourn209]

Awesome video. Hey I called around to bakeries in my area in NC where I live and they give me around 10 food grade buckets a week. I just wash them out

[@theUrbanGardener]

Yes, I love it! I am getting many from sandwich shops lately.

[@allfruit]

I live in south Florida where we have rain season from June through August or September, so I don't think this system will work for us. I think I'll have to stick with the oiya system. But this looks great!

[@theUrbanGardener]

No reason that these wouldn't work well for you. It is not hard to ensure that they drain during the wet season, plus it has drain holes for overflow so that they aren't overfull of water.

[@andygold]

I'm curious if you know how much water the space between the buckets will hold. And in regards to an overflow hole so you don't drown the roots.... Do you drill yours in the bottom bucket just below the bottom of the top bucket, or are you drilling into the top bucket so you can hold more water?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thanks for watching! Just below the top bucket, you don't want the top bucket sitting in water just the net pot.

[@BramptonGardener]

Well thats creative, ill have to think about that.

[@theUrbanGardener]

I think they are great. Inexpensive and does some work for you.

[@johnavgoustis3372]

Great video!! So I tried this last year, and was always paranoid that the roots wouldn't go deep enough to reach the water reservoir (especially when the plant is smaller). I used the exact same construction you did. How do the roots reach the water? Where is the actually wicking taking place? Thanks again for a very informative video.

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thank you. The point of the container isn't to get the roots to reach the bottom, it's to get the water to wick up into the soil of the top bucket. That's what the soil packed into the net pot does, it accesses the water and helps the soil pull the water up into the soil for the roots to grow into. Some plants roots systems will grow into the reservoir and that is okay and if they die off and the water get gross then just wash out the reservoir bucket and add new water. I hope that helps.

[@Laygoon23]

@@theUrbanGardenerwhere do you get the net pots?

[@joannedavies9235]

Hi :) Thanks so much for the video. What are those drill accessories you're using called? The round flat thing you used to make the net hole and the kinda key shaped thing? Also, I am not sure if I missed it in the video but how did you support the top bucket from collapsing and crushing the net basket over time? I imagine filled with soil it would get heavy.

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to check out some of our other videos and livestreams too. Those are drill bits, 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, and a 3-inch hole saw. Plus the buckets are constructed to sit inside each other leaving a gap at the bottom for the reservoir so that the net cup can sit in the water and soak it up into the soil.

[@Rkb-f4u]

Don't you need something in the net pot before putting dirt in bucket to keep it from washing into the watering bucket?@@theUrbanGardener

[@theUrbanGardener]

No that’s not necessary, I’ve had soil in the net pot last for a couple seasons, although you could change out the soil if you find that it has depleted but you should be good for at least the current season.

[@doraramirez595]

I like the idea of the buckets. You made the system easy. I wonder. You are saying that a baby plant with not so many roots, would reach all the way down to the water from the second bucket? Or I wonder, does the water from the bottom is able to keep the soil moist all the way the top? Which this system, are you only able to plant seeds direct in the soil?

[@theUrbanGardener]

You can plant starts or seeds in the buckets. The starts just like the seeds will grow enough roots to reach the bottom eventually. But the point of this system is for the soil to wick the water up into the the top or planting bucket in order to keep it moist during the hotter part of the season. You don't want your container drying up.

[@jeromefridmann6108]

Where do U get the buckets?????????

[@theUrbanGardener]

I show all that in the video. They are very easily accessible…

[@lpmoron6258]

Where would we find the net pots?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Just search net pots in google or any other search, Amazon as well.

[@ardeshirsepahpour8487]

How much water does the lower bucket hold?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Not sure the exact amount, it just holds as much that it can up to the overflow holes. Maybe a gallon or so.

[@LindaKreutzer-v2d]

How many celery plants per bucket?

[@theUrbanGardener]

One directly in the center for a large stalk or you could do three in a triangle for a smaller stalk.

[@LindaKreutzer-v2d]

@@theUrbanGardener Thank you.

[@user-uj9cy2wj1j]

Thanks for the amazing video. 🎉👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🥳💯💣🥒🥦🫑🥕🌶🍉 Subscribed!

[@theUrbanGardener]

Thank you for the amazing compliment! Hope you enjoy our channel and all we offer for gardeners!

[@TattooedAussieChick]

It’s a lovely idea but where I live I’d never find free buckets. Buckets with lids could cost upwards from $5 each. Then you need the other supplies, which I don’t have lying around my house. I’d have to purchase them. So I think on average the ones I made were much smaller than yours and cost around $10 each. Even then it was still worth it.

[@theUrbanGardener]

Even at 5-10 a piece they are a better value than the more expensive pots you can buy at stores or nurseries and those ones don’t self water for you.

[@loralievega9287]

Did I miss how to drill the holes?

[@theUrbanGardener]

Not sure, do you mean where to put them? Because how is using is a drill and a couple bits, a quarter inch, a half inch, and a three inch.

[@nancihood909]

Wow!! Do they really have buckets like that behind restaurants and bakeries?? I will have to check that out!! You have a great idea here and even if the sun breaks them down in a few years, sure beats buying large garden center pots! Thanks Enoch!

[@theUrbanGardener]

Yeah, those garden center pots are so dang pricey! These even if you are only making a couple of these, they are still only around a dollar a piece. You can't beat that. And they sure have helped during this crazy heat wave this season.

[@MrDAVIDSBBABY]

Can mosquitoes get in?

[@theUrbanGardener]

The water doesn’t stand long enough to allow that, it is always being absorbed and refilled. Especially during the warmer months.

[@cynvans]

I used this type of container for the winter in my kitchen indoor garden. If I watered via the reservoir, the plants stayed too wet. So I watered from above as the plants needed it. Today I took them apart and the reservoir was filled with old yucky water. So I think next time I'll fill the reservoir with gravel.

[@theUrbanGardener]

its best to flush out the reservoir or empty it out during cooler months. I am not sure what gravel would do to help.

[@jeanb.5405]

Why are the TUBES so Tall? And Do they have to be that tall and can they be a thinner size?

[@theUrbanGardener]

The pvc pipe is tall enough for me that when I put a long funnel on it it is then at a height that makes it easy to use the hose and add water. You could have it all the way to the edge of the bucket if you wanted, I just prefer to have them higher for the ease of use. You could also use a smaller or thinner size but you would have to have a way to get the water through it, this size is perfect for most funnels.

[@jeanb.5405]

OH good idea

[@maryconner9577]

Where's the water?

[@sharonm7039]

In the bottom bucket. (He does a different video on the construction.) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpSnmnaPnNOkiK8si=VoOexCw7HBT3ICpr

[@bonniecarlstrom6014]

👍👍🇺🇸Eugene

[@theUrbanGardener]

Welcome neighbor! 😃

[@RoyB327]

Should work out Really Really well for weed.... 😉 😉 😮

[@robertguethler859]

mee2

[@oneup9960]

Dude, this sucks… the actual part where you made the container is like two seconds long and you sped it up

[@theUrbanGardener]

Yep, this is one of many videos on these that I have made and as I explained in the video that more detailed instructions for making these are available in those other videos that I have links to in the description. Also these are extremely easy to make, that is why you just get a Timelapse in this video as that is exactly the point I am making. All in all these are great planters and I hope you make some to find out what I am saying. I appreciate your feedback.

[@molleyafeichko9648]

I can barely hear you, it makes watching you very frustrating

[@theUrbanGardener]

Not sure why, it sounds good for me…

[@RichardSauce.]

Then turn your volume up

[@nacholibre5705]

His audio is just fine, it’s probably just you

[@dizzyhaha640]

Try turning the CC on.

[@cml9384]

Sounds good to me