WHY DID OUR SELF-WATERING PLANTER FAIL!!! Wicking Tub Repair

#selfwatering #containergardening #selfwickingcontainers
DIY Self-wicking planters made from any container, bucket, or pail are a great way to avoid overwatering or underwatering plants. But occasionally a self-watering planter can fail. In this video, we diagnose this failure and offer two solutions to the problem. Watch to the very end to learn how to use recycled materials to build your wicking tub.
#coldclimategardening #selfwickingbuckets #containergardening #zone3gardening
#northerngardening #wateringsystem #garden #gardening #gardens #vegetablegardening #northerngardening #zone3vegetablegardening #shortseasongarden
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[@noclicheplease]

Nice find guys. A lesson for us all to build things sturdy.

[@gabrielbennett5162]

Very informative! This kind of collapse right here is exactly why I decided to go with a separate, buried "cistern chamber" (basically, a perforated, upside down container with a filler pipe) on my wicking tub, instead of an Earthbox-style false bottom like that. Water is dense and even the lightest, fluffiest potting mix can get VERY heavy when saturated with it. Even with the added screws on the later versions, that flimsy plastic could still collapse. I'm surprised this one lasted 4 years before it failed.

[@debbieinitaly]

Great invention. I saw a modified version a lady did with less screws. I actually like yours as it looks like it will last several seasons. I’m going to try this out.

[@debbiericker8223]

Interesting video. I'm going to gently suggest either no music or less distracting music.

[@shortseasongarden]

Noted!

[@ritawest2535]

Hmmm....didn't find the music distracting at all. I was paying keen attention to what S. was sayin', I guess.

[@sunnyspinks8454]

Lose the music please. Can't hear their words

[@mikeydkal9074]

Great bucket design. Glad to find the site, Now I will be looking for suitable buckets like this for the spring!

[@lynnpachelli1862]

I have a few large square buckets from buying kitty litter. I think I'll give those a try.

[@lrrerh8090]

Genius. I like the upcycling of other household items.

[@christyb7590]

Ok im so excited to make these. Lol. Thanks!

[@frankborg7871]

I really enjoyed this video and how you did the troubleshooting on video. I also got an answer to my question regarding how to support the base so as not to crush the yogurt tubs I plan on using for the air pocket containers.

[@shortseasongarden]

Glad it helped

[@eastcoast4233]

This is why I always use two contains rather than a single container with split layer - makes accessing the reservoir so much easier.

[@shortseasongarden]

Good point. Thanks

[@tommycoates1978]

I just used a cat litter jug. I actually have same tub.

[@debbiericker8223]

I like this design.

[@shortseasongarden]

Thank you. It has worked well for us

[@andrewkierstead4593]

Interesting ❤

[@lynnpachelli1862]

Does the row cover act as a wick in addition to keeping the soil out of the reservoir? I'm really enjoying your videos!

[@shortseasongarden]

I never thought of it that way but it probably does. Glad you're enjoying them.

[@nikkitobin8356]

Love this video

[@shortseasongarden]

Thank you

[@jackhargreaves1911]

Your videos are so good they are worth enduring the background music. But if you lost the music I would be really happy.

[@shortseasongarden]

I have got the message about my background music and will stop using it. 😃 Unfortunately there’s no way to remove it from my current videos. 😔

[@kassandrasilver]

The next problem will be algae growing inside your white transparent tubs/buckets! Solve: paint black. Then, paint white on top of the black. Black so that your tubs do not promote algae growth, then white over the top to reflect rather than absorb heat--if you are in a place that gets too hot in the Growing Season. Some of the gardening tubs sold are either dark green or blue or black. As long as they are not transparent, you probably won't have an algae problem inside the tub.

[@shortseasongarden]

Yes I definitely have an algae problem. Thanks for the tip

[@bubbiemarie30]

Like

[@neclark08]

...why did you choose to NOT fill the 'water chamber' with gravel or sand as the 'Primary Wicking Media' ? A level bed of gravel/sand covered with weed-cloth/floating cover would negate the need for exacting cutting of a rigid 'deck" (with just 2 large water 'ports'?) supported by circumferential screws/bolts. Your design will be lghter for moveability -- but tub flex makes it more likely that the 'deck' would slip off of a support screw or two...

[@shortseasongarden]

As you stated, the tub would be extremely heavy and basically unmovable. It would probably be harder to tell when additional water was needed. Interesting idea though.

[@yrrahyrrah]

Having soil sitting in water 24/7 doesn’t cause root rot? How is having two wicking tubes filled with soil any different than having all of the soil down in the entire water chamber?

[@shortseasongarden]

I wondered the same thing when the concept was introduced to me but it seems to work. Having the air space between the water reservoir and the main soil compartment is important. Otherwise, you are correct, the roots would definitely rot.

[@woodybaines1953]

Promo*SM 🤤