Turn any pot into a self-watering pot! Here's the inexpensive way to do it...

It sounds like a gardener's dream come true - a self watering container for your outdoor plants. You will see them for sale at the garden center, but that means brand new pots when you may already have good ones at home. You can convert an existing pot into a self-watering one for just a few dollars in supplies.
Self-described floral evangelist, Ashleigh Rose tells how.
Find more inspiration from Ashleigh on Instagram, @monalisafair.
00:00-1:36 - Intro
1:36-3:15 - Why a self-watering pot
3:15-3:36 - Picking a pot
3:36-3:53 - The 2/3 Rule
3:53-4:41 - False floor using insulation
4:41-5:20 - Finding out how many gallons your pot holds
5:20-6:47 - The wicking tube
6:47-7:27 - Measuring wicking tube height
7:27-8:30 - How to refill with water
8:30-9:03 - Conclusion

[@wizpig64]

props to the cameraperson for finding that drill shot just in time

[@carolynwheeler7651]

Nice video, thank you. I have been using this exact same concept for the past several years to build outdoor wicking tubs for veggies. They work great. My materials are a little different. For the tubs I use 25” diameter composite whiskey half-barrels from Tractor Supply and for the guts I use flexible 4” perforated drain pipe from Lowe’s. Then I follow these steps: 1) Cut 3-4 pieces from the drain pipe to lay on the bottom of the barrel from side to side in a parallel manner. (Cut pipe lengths are determined by the size of the barrel.) 2) Cover all open ends of each drain pipe piece with garden ground fabric (not screening) and secure with a zip tie around the outside circumference of the pipe. 3) Cut a fill pipe to desired length. (I used 1” pvc.) 4) Cut a snug hole for the fill pipe in one of the drain pipe pieces by using a hole dozer type drill bit. 5) Insert the fill pipe into the cut hole. 6) Lay all drain pipe pieces on the bottom of barrel. Measure the height of a drain pipe and drill a hole into the side of the barrel just below the top of the drain pipe. You need about 1” of airspace between the top of the water and the top of the drain pipe for aeration. 7). After assembling all pieces fill the tub with potting mix thrown right on top of the cut pipe pieces and push the soil down between the pipes to create wicks. Your video has given me some new modifications to think about. Thank you again. 😊

[@Holly-ku8vz]

Thank you for this detailed description😀

[@ellenc9935]

You are so helpful and generous - thank you!

[@Marebare007]

Thank you for giving your time and detailed instructions ❤ this is going to help greatly.

[@cbak1819]

We just had pluming done and I kept the extra pvc! pipes.. hallelujah!

[@NIGHTMERRI]

I wish this had better directions for the design and construction. More time was spent on random stories about hotel flowers or a brother than the actual directions. What is the tube made out? What do you use to cut the insulation? What type of soil? What type of fertilizer? All the specifics were missed.

[@marshaseals6063]

The tubes are pvc...but it says Instagram 4 more information...listen to the end...it's meant to drive you to her media page...but the information can be found on KZbin as well. There are several ways to create this...

[@indirabayne5942]

Schedule 40 pvc and it 4” in diameter. The insulation cuts easy with a box cutter. I also used an adhesive that was open so I didn’t use silicone and it held well. Hope that helps

[@robertawestbrooks9531]

Talking alot....

[@pamelasprings6723]

I agree and I'm not on Instagram. I'm going to check out some other KZbin channels as I think I have seen this before.

[@ddub22]

search you tube. how to’s galore

[@elizabethgoodson9802]

The soil wont collapse that foam board?

[@kenb3552]

Hmmmm. I kind of like watering my pots. Daily watering keeps my attention on them - for deadheading flowers and pruning and watching out for insects or disease.

[@mtredeker7294]

You can still watch for those everyday or every other day! But these would be great for vacationers!!!

[@jude1515]

Awesome! Great idea.

[@juliesanchez77777]

You changed the subject at end and did not show where or how to put the long tube in to refill the planter. I looked and there is no link to click on for details. So now I have no clue how to do this

[@southernbelle1831]

There's plenty of other videos on this platform that show more in depth information. Just look for self wicking planters / pots.

[@lizpaul5898]

It always stays in there. Cut it to the top of your pot. It will be visible. Eventually the flowers or plants will grow to hide it. Just stick your hose in the pipe when you need to add water

[@Yachtnurse51]

If you look at the beginning of the video you can see the pipes emerging

[@teresaholland4790]

Great 👍 job on your project

[@JustBHappy]

OMGosh, you are awesome! I just followed you on instagram. I can’t wait to get started with some of your ideas. I’m going to start today!

[@claudiamiller7730]

While I don’t need any more flower pots - this video so helped me understand how the fancy, self- watering flower boxes on my new house work! Found the instructions online -thank heavens! - but they were a bit thin on explaining exactly how the self-watering process worked. Thanks for this info!!💕

[@HoneyBeeBuz]

Okay just wow wow Thank you so very much!!!!

[@joannajoseph2953]

I love that you showed us the "firm foam insulation" and named it; that's helpful. I think your wicking pipe and watering tube are PVC? I look forward to converting some planters of my own.

[@angelafestervan7596]

Take a couple of cups (I use red solo) place them in the bottom of the pot. Fill cups and whole pot with potting soil and plants. Easy.

[@smpeace2683]

We might also want to plug the pipe that goes into the pot because it will raise mosquitoes. I like that I can use a stick also to check the water level inside the pot after it is filled for future watering.

[@susanannette5758]

Ummm, I was hoping to see how to make older containers self watering because I have tons with holes in them.

[@carolhettinger3696]

I'm going to plug my drilled holes with silicone or that black tape " as seen on tv"😊. Good luck

[@audreymilosevic2081]

I plan on filling mine with hot glue😊

[@user-gr3nf9ko8u]

Love #4 and #8

[@April-py3jc]

In the hot summer won't the foil backed insulation material hold the heat inside the pot and damage the roots of the plants 😢

[@jstephenson1113]

Upside down empty pop cans work too - just use enough to fill in the bottom of the pot. And cheap too 😊

[@flossingdebi]

can you explain more on how toast up this method? Thanks

[@tamaramorton8812]

If I make it my life’s goal to do this, that might work. I’m sure it’s not as complicated as it looks.

[@jbisciotti284]

How do you know when to stop adding water after pot assembled?

[@patriciahogg5763]

What is central “tube” made of? Tips for cutting the insulation “floor”???

[@NIGHTMERRI]

Ya. They need better directions. So much wasted time on things that aren’t necessary. I don’t care about the name “false floor” or “wicking tube”. I need the specifics of what to buy.

[@umiumi2638]

It's a plastic piping tube

[@jenniferfried3188]

Good video, but geeze get on with it !

[@lynnroberts76]

I know! Just show us and quit telling how great it is….

[@delorisharrison6731]

Or you can use yuka wet - capful in a gallon water half the time …keeps soil from turning hard

[@Lbff1225]

What materials are safe for me to use in my pots with veggies, herbs, & fruits? I don’t think the insulation would be safe.

[@kristidyson443]

Look up leon sanders self wicking tubs. He uses all sorts of material.

[@Jordankjfruykvkjruyk]

AquaPots has been realllll quiet since this aired. 🧐😂

[@SS11660]

Too much trouble There are easier ways.to do this Just put yarn in bottom of pot then put inside another pot without holes.

[@sherifisher6443]

Often when you buy planters from the store or if you have old ones that you’ve been using, they already have drainage holes on the bottom. You did not address this in your video. Shouldn’t the only whole be the one that you drill as the overflow?

[@50hellkat2]

Nevermind

[@jbd9507]

Nice idea, but your Instagram link doesn't provide any specific directions either. Such a disappointment. Great idea but no followthrough

[@mikeboothe]

Mmmmmmm she’s telling you exactly how to do it- showing you- and she gives you her Instagram address if you need more help. Can’t explain it more clearly than that 🙄

[@kmsch986]

What part of the video wasn’t clear? You buy foam insulation you cut, the pvc tube you drill holes in and fill with soil and attach the tube to foam with silicone. Done. Not rocket science.

[@MissCookie8260]

There's always that one person who just has to poop in your cornflakes.

[@L0U1SE]

I can work it out, not sure why you can’t follow

[@susanbuhler4769]

Look up self watering containers on KZbin. I made mine from a 45 gallon barrel cut in half and a hole about 5 to 7 inches up from the ground in the side of the barrel, then I used 2 litre pop display (it’s 5 to 7 inch high)plastic cut with scissors to fit the barrel. Then I wash landscape fabric with soapy water (it removes the coating) tuck it into the pop holders a little, it wicks up the water. Fill with soil and then put a tube down the side to fill with water. I grow herbs, zucchini, lettuce, flowers, and green onions in them….fantastic!

[@jillbruce3624]

Was disappointed. Not all supplies were mentioned.

[@mariafolch8067]

That hat got to go!! Demo needed more action, like a step by step actually setting it up from start to finish.

[@nangel270]

This demonstration is a hot mess.

[@milankatz9628]

Horrible!

[@phepoaboard6168]

Isn't this a total rip-off of Aquapots?

[@SUGARBUGAR]

OR, YOU COULD DO SOMETHING REALLY SIMPLE AND MIX 100% CLAY KITTY MIX IN YOUR POT AND THAT WILL DO THE SAME EXACT THING...😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@cajunlady4893]

No soil.. Just 100% kitty clay?

[@KP-mb9jx]

The concept is good but the presentation is very poor. For instance if you've already poured water in the pot then surely a lot of it will be displaced once the pipe, containing the soil, and platform are inserted. Furthermore, how do you keep the soil from falling out of the bottom of the pipe whilst trying to insert it into the water? It all sounds very messy. Surely it would be easier to insert the pipe platform first, then pack the pipe with soil, then add the water?

[@prairiepoint]

I think she explained that. You drill your drainage hole 1/3 way up your planter. Use gallon jugs to figure out exactly how many gallons will fill bottom of your planter up to drainage hole. (You could dump water out here.) Or place your false floor with large wicking tube (PVC) with predrilled holes & your smaller longer watering tube, then pack soil into the wicking tube. Now you could add your 'premeasured' fertilized water via the small tube or watch your drain hole in back of the planter that is 1/3 way up-stop when it starts draining-you know your reservoir is full. I would be interested to see how this works with her brother's hanging planters?

[@shelwhitley1011]

"...the farmer way to do that?" How about the LOGICAL way to do that (which, contrary to the opinions of the educated "upper echelon" is usually the farmer, homesteader, blue collar worker, etc. way to do things.) My Daddy said, "there are those with book learning and those with common sense...and on a rare occasion you meet someone with both. My hope is for my children to have both, but if you can only have one...let it be common sense!"

[@sheriw56]

I thought you were going to demonstrate how to construct this rather than just talk about it.

[@lesleyokafo3611]

Foolish nattering. Not enough facts and examples...

[@kaykasper8770]

Stop saying “living its best life”. Learn to use adjectives not cliches.

[@ebbyo9821]

Worst video ever. Seven minutes in and we’re still looking at a person wearing a sugar telling us to use insulation.

[@leeeakin936]

OMG, this is the worst case of yammering I’ve seen in years. Neither of them have any idea of what constitutes a good, educational segment. Spare us, please.

[@becauseiam8264]

Why do Americans say "dirt" ? It's called soil, soil. 😂 I once knew a lady who refused to eat vegetables from the garden because it was grown in "dirt". Only lettuce from the supermarket ! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂. No measure of explanation helped. Soil !🤭🤫🙈

[@jeaniechampagne8831]

Uh. duh. Sorry, but this was a waste of time. You're cute, tho and the flowers are beautiful ( gazillion videos on this ).

[@Yachtnurse51]

Silly Question? What happens in the event of torrential rain storms? 🫣