Self Watering Five Gallon Bucket. Perfect For Large Produce & Heavy Feeders | Container Gardening

5 gallon pail buckets tend to dry out easily when we’re growing large produce. Things such as tomatoes, peppers and even some Braschi species need lots of water. This means a 5 gallon pail bucket may need to be watered twice daily towards the end of the summer. In order to avoid this you will want to use a self watering system. A self watering bucket system can be easily made DIY style. However in this video we’re gonna be looking at a premade version that comes with an indicator.
We will also be going over how to fertilize in a 5 gallon pail self watering set up. What type of soil you should use in a 5 gallon pails of watering set up and everything else in between
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Ashley is a soil scientist who has had a passion for plants since she was a small child. In the long summers as a child, she would garden alongside her grandmother and it was then that she realized her love for greenery. With years of great studying, Ashley had begun her post-secondary education at the University of Saskatchewan.
At first, her second love, animals, was the career path she chose but while doing her undergrad she realized that her education would take her elsewhere. And with that, four years later she graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a bachelor’s degree in science and a major in Soil Science.
Some of Ashley’s interests are KZbin, in which she posts informative videos about plants and gardening. The focus of Ashley’s KZbin channel is to bring science to gardening in a way that is informative but also helpful to others learning to garden. She also talks about the importance of having your own garden and the joys of gardening indoors. Ashley continues to study plants in her free time and hopes to expand her KZbin channel as well as her reach to up-and-coming gardeners.
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[@GardeningInCanada]

This is perfect for indoor, small space or container gardens in general. Here is all the gear your would need for this. I’m going to try a few DIY options and let you know how they work! Amazon - geni.us/DxEfyO Lee Valley - www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/garden/indoor-gardening/watering/112182-grobucket-self-watering-insert Liquid Fertilizer (fruiting) - geni.us/zPt0n Course Perlite - geni.us/Mjxt5Z

[@kele1264]

Hi Ashley! I'm glad you are trying the "self-watering" thing. Over the years I've watched a number of videos about this, and read the book by Edward C. Smith. I very nearly made a few containers myself, but here's why I didn't: The soil will be continuously wet. I figured this would turn the soil anaerobic. In fact, one YTer, who is an awesome gardener and teacher, turned his self-watering containers out and showed that his soil had gone anaerobic. He said it smelled like raw sewage. He advised people to not try to revitalize it if it happens to them. He said just toss it. I hope yours do better. Looking forward to the progress!

[@GardeningInCanada]

It will if you don’t have that really chucky perlite mix! That’s honestly the key

[@sunsetwalks488]

I need your advice ...I have peppers and radishes growing in my apt up in the window and they are beautiful. But my 2 potatoe seeds are in a 5 gallon bucket with no holes in bottom cause I didn't want water to end up on my floor....Is this OK. Also I water it every few days of needed. Thanks in advance.

[@mplp1959]

If I took bones from beef, chicken or fish boil all the meat off baked them and ground them would that work as fertilizer?

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yup!

[@HyHoMyLife168]

Self waterning five gallon bucket, hello new friend, you make very well, have a nice day new friend, i'm from Vietnam, nice to meet you 👍💖

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks for visiting

[@romanticskeptc]

Have you seen Leon Sloan's videos about his recycled self-watering containers? Check out the Gardening with Leon channel. I'm so glad I saw this video because you address some of my fears about using his system! I'm moving this month and will have outside access for the first time in four years but it's a cement patio so containers are the only option. Using your info will really help me make Leon's system work in my coastal Carolina environment where it's hot and humid for most of the year and I had concerns about the soil staying too wet! I'd love to hear what you think about his system.

[@11Aradia11]

Try Wicking beds, need 30cm soil & 30 cm reserve....I've used buckets, plumbers pipe where you measure how much water is in there, scoria as the base, mesh over top, above the reservoir drill a hole for overflow, put in a piece of hose, soil than plant. It works well for Australian summers. If you can put in some sort of a gauge down the plumbers pipe you won't need to drill an overflow pipe which would be good for indoor gardeners.

[@GardeningInCanada]

That is so funny! I have one and it's very useful.

[@j.b.6855]

I have beem growing in Sub Irrigated Planters similar to the one in this video for four years now. A few things I have learned. 1. You are right, more perlite is a good thing. I make my own mix because its cheaper. It also helps I have a perlite manufacturer that sells to the public within a 15 mile drive. 2. DIY YT is full of videos on earthbuckets with instructions how to make them out of 2 five gallon buckets, a short piece of pvc pipe, and a solo cup. The important thing to remember is that the overfill hole has to be about a half inch lower than the soil. This allows air to get to the roots to prevent root rot. 3. If you are growing tomatoes in one you will have to make sure you give them calcium to prevent blossom end rot. A quick fix is take a handfull of garden lime put it in a five gallon bucket, cover it with vinegar, let it bubble for 10-15 minutes , fill with water and stir. Put in 2 cups of the mix in the top of the container instead of watering that day. 4. The concept can be done with almost any container. I also use storage totes, putting in pieces of perforated drainage pipe in the bottom as the water reservoir.

[@GardeningInCanada]

The lime tips is huge for any potting soil that’s been used longer then one season!

[@j.b.6855]

Just to add. The reason I mentioned calcium for tomatoes is in a SIP you use potting soil. Potting soil usually is totally lacking in calcium unlike soil in your garden

[@j.b.6855]

@@GardeningInCanada Really it should be done with any potting soil, even new. Potting soil is notorius for not having any calcium. I have tried a few different bags, all of them produced blossom end rot before using the lime. Now I just do it for every tomato in containers.

[@christysmith5211]

found you from Nate!! so glad i did

[@GardeningInCanada]

Hey! Welcome to the channel

[@tonypalmer8556]

Hey Ash. This old guy's channel, gardening with leon "wicking tub". Great old southern gentleman.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Oh! That sounds really good

[@nicolerobbins1714]

For the DIY version check out Gardening with Leon. I followed his self watering container directions and feeding directions and I have never had such amazing growth.

[@cher7731]

I found you through Nate. I’m looking forward to learning more from you.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Hey! Welcome to the channel hope you enjoy

[@steph6337]

*Gardening with Leon* is a great channel that teaches how to make these self wicking tubs, big! I didn't have the time to check your comments, maybe someone already mentioned him. Edit: The self wicking tubs Leon taught me to make have withstood the sweltering heat of central Florida (this is their 3rd year in operation.)

[@GardeningInCanada]

I’ll go check those out!

[@michaelbevan1081]

I subbed to you through Nate, really enjoyed what I have seen so far. I have completed a few online lectures; so I have these snippets of education and tips, but it’s Putting them all together and making them work, also having the budget. 😅😁 Still I’m glad the Canadian Prepper invited on his channel and happy to be subbed to yours. Both of you keep up the amazing work, and that dynamic too. 👍🏻

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you enjoyed! Let me know if you need anything specific!

[@vesc1389]

Gardening with Leon and Texas Prepper 2 both do a good job of explaining how to DIY and manage watering etc.

[@GardeningInCanada]

nice!

[@kele1264]

"The comment section - usually more helpful than I am." 😂🤣 Not true, but hilarious the way you said it!

[@GardeningInCanada]

😁

[@tjmarie6554]

I really appreciate the small space & container garden information. Started on my balcony this spring.

[@GardeningInCanada]

That is so awesome! more to come!

[@darcypotterpotter6214]

pot elevator for 7-gallon pot fits snug in a 10-gallon pot and provides a shelf for your soil and 3' of water below it

[@GardeningInCanada]

That sounds actually really good

[@kurtcurtis2730]

I love your videos. This is just perfect method as I’m losing the gopher wars

[@magyardeutschusa]

Yep, watering in morning and afternoon.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Haha yes

[@cliveburgess4128]

I second the earth buckets, mentioned below, easy diy

[@GardeningInCanada]

Okay! Now I have to look

[@Walking-Wolf]

Thanks for the insight into containers grading.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Anytime!

[@SeanDSarcasm]

The sand method with fabric bags and pvc pipe has worked really well and shallow black trays with fabric bags has great wicking.

[@GardeningInCanada]

oh! Sand that is very interesting

[@ashleyd8627]

Thanks ash for another great video i can't thank you enough I have learned so much from you

[@GardeningInCanada]

Awe! thank you

[@kurtcurtis2730]

I purchase larger barrels from target. They are probably 30 - 40 gallons. They are either in the party section ( for ice bucket/beers or sodas) or the kid area ( for toy storage. I guess you could fit a couple kits in the tube????

[@SanghaGarden]

beautiful

[@hesh7186]

Good stuff. There are definitely grow bucket hacks for self-watering. It is especially good for people who tend to who run into issues with over/under watering. AC Infinity has come out with a self-watering system for grow bags. It is a capillary action, bottom watering system. Almost no fail points and not too expensive. You could also easily DIY it. Looking forward to seeing how that works out for you

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea! Me too fingers crossed it lessens my watering burden.

[@cardstockcollector]

Thank You!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

I make bog gardens for my carnivores similar to what you do using the plenum method. I put in lave rock to cover the bottom. Put in a stiff plastic mesh (Hobby Lobby). Put a pvc pipe or an old aquarium under gravel plastic tube to the side (can glue to the side). Drill a hole on the side of the pot and place a screen on the hole so that it does not clog the hole. Fill with a 50/50 perlite/peat moss mix I make. (If mix dry, I just add water to the mixing bucket and cover it and shake it till I can a nice moist, not soggy mix.) Then add to the pot and you have it.

[@GardeningInCanada]

I like that idea!

[@larryniidji]

A piece of maybe 3/8 inch hemp rope makes a great wick. When you set the pot up, place hemp in the water area at the bottom to almost the top in the area the plant will be.

[@GardeningInCanada]

great idea

[@rebeccazody1278]

Check out with “gardening with Leon”. He has adapted his design several times. I do not use a bobber system. I just put bottom holds 3-4 inches up, and water until I have water coming out of the hole on the side. Great video you have.

[@macgyverpreppin4056]

I have been using bottom wicking containers for years I have a video on how to make it on my channel

[@GardeningInCanada]

Nice! Okay perfect

[@jeaniec891]

Make mine like Leon, Gardening with Leon channel. Mine have empty milk jugs in the large mineral tubs. Water about twice a month, I’m in West Texas.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Oh that sounds really inexpensive! I like that.

[@maryelizabethcalais9180]

Hi Ashley, I need help to organically rid my garden of leaf miners. Please refer me to one of your videos that will help with this problem... Hoping to hear from you soon. Tks so much for all you do for us :):):)

[@GardeningInCanada]

I will put something together!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Nice info. Cool! I use Dr. Earth on my plants. OMRI rated.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Nice!

[@krisyallowega5487]

There is one thing that I would like to try, yet don't have the guts to do. There is an "guy" from Minnesota that "air prunes" roots. He grows everything in 5 gallon pails. He drills holes in the bottom and larger holes in the sides of the pails. I tend to want to use my pails more than once. So, if I go and put a bunch of holes in one, well it's not a pail anymore. I understand the premise of "air pruning" roots in order to reduce the chances of a plant getting root bound. But I would believe that the roots will still grow through the bottom holes. Now, I can see using very large containers to grow trees in. I am talking huge containers with the bottoms cut out. I think it would give a tree a stronger root system as well as protection from "critters" somewhat. I don't know if it would work in Zone 2 or 3 as too much of root mass would freeze.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Ohhh that’s a video idea. Air pruning is basically topping but for the lower half

[@jojoihrke]

Check outGarxening with Leon. He calls themwicking tubs and uses the salt lick cattle tubs and other things try watching him hes out of Oklahoma buti use these up in Minnesota

[@thesuspense...2939]

Wish we had installed something like that. We actually have our entire garden in 3.5 and 5 gallon buckets that we have buried in the ground for temperature purposes. Keeps the moles out and I can tell my husband he can't kill the moles now. We do hydroponic buckets too. It's totally great because we know which items like which parts of the garden. So instead of rotating where we have the plants...we just pull up and move the buckets to a different spot.

[@GardeningInCanada]

that sounds amazing

[@brenthauser]

Dope tattoo btw

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks!

[@SanghaGarden]

nice

[@GardeningInCanada]

❤️❤️❤️

[@sjl677]

Upside down margarine container drilled with holes, some 1/2 pvc pipe and a wooden bobber.... just saying... really enjoying your channel.. found you thru Nate ..Just started gardening a few years ago and have been make shifting everything ... including a greenhouse from left over pallet wood ... Cheers, from Edmonchuk..

[@GardeningInCanada]

Genius! I love that

[@mountainvalleysunshine7228]

Search for DIY earthboxes. I built some and they work great.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Oh! Okay I like those very cool

[@kariannecrysler640]

Very curious if this would work well for watermelons? If so it’s going to be great to start them early for a better harvest 😁

[@mplp1959]

Try the Earth Box. Comes with dolomite and fertilizer. One issue I have with them is blossom end rot with my peppers and tomatoes. Not sure what to use regarding that issue.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Good to know very cool! If you have any issues with that I would actually introduce some lime

[@mplp1959]

@@GardeningInCanada I’ll try that. I’ve also wondered if removing the pile of fertilizer they direct you to use and replace it with feedings of organic liquid fertilizer via the water reservoir would work better.

[@GardeningInCanada]

I would think that liquid is better in a scenario that’s basically hydro. But the other problem is that it is grown in a peatbase. Which does lack calcium generally speaking so the addition of a dolomite lime for example would help.

[@SOURMATRIX7]

Should i ph my tap water? Thank you

[@mapofthesoultagme7143]

Are there any annual veggies that can survive in cold winters in Canada without protection and be ready to harvest next spring or summer?

[@GardeningInCanada]

you would be looking for a perenial option. So Rhubarb, berries, apples, asparagus, mint, loverage are all examples

[@cookinmum]

Wonderful advise once more. I have made 5 containers using bushel baskets I received when I bought product from my local farm in the last few years. I have big trees, so sun is not that available. This is a new experiment and the battle ensues to keep the rabbits, squirrels and birds away. Thank you for your advise. Oh … I did go to superstore and got 4 more tomatoes and 2 more peppers ( for salsa ) thanks for the idea

[@GardeningInCanada]

YAS! They are so cheap there right now. Did you get the 6 packs?

[@cookinmum]

@@GardeningInCanada I bought 4 individual plants there was actually not much selection, I was a few days late. However they are planted and I now have 6 so that should give me enough for a few months of Salsa

[@GardeningInCanada]

Oh really! So lots of people must be gardening then

[@cookinmum]

@@GardeningInCanada I had trouble 2 weeks ago because they had such a small amount. So I bought two and called it a day, then I saw your video and went back in case they were selling them off , again not much selection. Went to Home Depot… mostly brown and dead, went to Walmart and surprisingly they had some good ones that’s actually where I ended up buying the 4 extras but they were 3.00 each , so not on sale . I’m just jazzed I have 6 plants. Thanks to you I will be canning in late august again.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Woohoo! Great job

[@codedesigns9284]

Great Job Ashley! I wish I had gone with the self-watering system this year instead of the holes in bucket system. Next year I guess. When growing a tomato plant in the self-watering method, how root-bound do the plants seem to get? (To further reiterate, do indeterminates struggle for root space, or will they typically grow all summer long without much issue? [Presuming proper water and fertilizer regimen]). 😀

[@GardeningInCanada]

It’s totally going to wrap around that poor strainer that the bottom. I’m expecting a lot of ripping and tearing this fall trying to get everything apart. And the indeterminate will do fine it’s just that in a classic bucket system the plant uses so much water in a day or get top heavy and falls. So with the water weight the hope of I can limit that issue. As long as you have the nutrient and water the actual volume of growing medium does not matter.

[@codedesigns9284]

@@GardeningInCanada awesome! Thank you! 😀

[@CharlieB_P2ST]

Is that a transmission case in the tire?

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yes HAHA. It's growing flowers but most definitely stole it from my hubby

[@CharlieB_P2ST]

@@GardeningInCanada that kinda cool... up cycling

[@katiediane]

I just installed drip in my garden bed and what a relief! For my pots the system you showed would be perfect. Thx for sharing. Question: is this system only for heavy feeders or plants that need a lot of water? Would this system potentially over water a plant?

[@pcreiter7383]

We have grown tomatoes on a tower garden and most of the roots are in water all the time. They seemed to be quite happy that way! The water is circulated regularly by pump so they do get aeration. Putting water into these buckets every day would give constant aeration also. And in either scenario you definitely don't want to let the water reservoir go dry!!

[@GardeningInCanada]

You can do it for any plants. So long as you have the course perlite you will be good to go!

[@sarahwbs]

I've never heard of anyone growing an auto flower outside.

[@tombryant4518]

Lots of Canadians do it to save money on power, keep the house cooler in summer, and actually have something that will finish outside in the short grow season before it drops to -30°C in October.

[@GardeningInCanada]

plus it is smelly haha

[@kendravoracek3636]

💚💚

[@GardeningInCanada]

❤️❤️

[@ttontsaa]

Hmm dunno if cutting a circle from a pvc board, drilling holes to it, attaching the circle to some kind of stands to lift it from the bottom of the container and attaching a pvc pioe would do the trick for a diy version🤔 no idea what kind of pvc would be good to use though that wouldn't contaminate the plants🤷‍♀️ or using two buckets of the same size and layering them and drilling holes and attaching a pipe to it the same way as in my first idea. Probably not cheaper than the kit though🤣

[@GardeningInCanada]

I was literally thinking of using a salad strainer with PVC pipe 🙄 but then I though to myself “let’s limit the crazy for this video”

[@j.b.6855]

@@GardeningInCanada It would work, but you would need to cover the strainer with weed barrier cloth to stop the soil getting through the holes. The really cheap stuff, nothing expensive. The good thing with it is you would have soil all around it below the water line, providing the wick.

[@tegrity-farms9842]

top with compost/castings... cover.. life will form fast :) mycology baybee

[@averagejoesmiling456]

Hey there! New subscriber here. Nate sent me over. I'm living in an apartment but don't have a balcony. Landlord does not permit gardening. Do you have any advice as to what I could grow successfully inside? All my windows face west and there is a large tree outside my living room window which blocks most of the sun. Am I doomed to never garden?? LOL Any advice would be most welcome. Thanks and God bless.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Hey! Welcome to the channel. What are you interested in growing the most

[@averagejoesmiling456]

@@GardeningInCanada Tomatoes, carrots, beans, and potatoes. But basically, anything I can in order cut the cost of going to the grocery store.

[@codedesigns9284]

An idea for doing this method cheaper is having a 5-gallon bucket within a 5-gallon bucket. The inner bucket has holes with coffee filters at the bottom, or even pebbles with soil on top. Place the water in the bottom bucket. Check every few days. For bigger plants, the same two-bucket system still applies, except we can’t be pulling the bucket with soil out every few days as the plant grows bigger. So to solve this, create one bigger hole to pass through a small diameter PVC in order to measure the water in the bottom bucket. Using a stick with marks on it to determine remaining water depth.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Oh yes! That would be basically five buckets a setup.

[@codedesigns9284]

@@GardeningInCanada I may not have written what I meant correctly; however, the concept is the same as the double-cup method portrayed in this video by Khang Starr (except using buckets): kzbin.info/www/bejne/g32UpYN5aNx_jLc

[@annetonge9925]

I use containers because the slugs eat my plants. It has been very successful so far

[@GardeningInCanada]

That would be perfect for slugs

[@terrysobkowich2084]

Could you not rig up your own self watering setup useing 2 buckets inside each other? There is naturally a few inches of gap when they nest

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yup! That would

[@Anythingforfreedom]

50 bucks? Holy Shiitaki!

[@GardeningInCanada]

😂 that’s why I said I need an inventor. All I could think of was a salad strainer

[@kele1264]

Recommended reading for self-watering containers of different sizes: The Vegetable Gardener's Container Bible by Edward C. Smith. YT channels to check out for same thing: Epic Gardening: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bonNonygi9irqbs Aldo Pepper has a playlist of self-watering videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYnch2COqLaKhKc Happy gardening!

[@brenthauser]

I mean,...I bite.

[@edengardenlabs7773]

Do you know what else is self watering.....THE EARTH lol 😋 hashtag God did it first 😇😇😇

[@GardeningInCanada]

HAHA accurate

[@plantsnrockies]

Too expensive 270 $

[@GardeningInCanada]

That’s the Amazon price I have no idea why they are that much at Amazon. Lee valley has then for $40 something

[@plantsnrockies]

@@GardeningInCanada oh ok.will check thanks