Welcome to Plant Watering System!
Plant Watering Systems
Plant watering systems take the guesswork out of home gardening. These systems eliminate the need to keep track of watering schedules as well as the need to have someone come in to water your plants when you are out of town.
Wick systems all work on the principle that water will rise from a bottom or outer reservoir. One type of this system is the self watering pot converter. Simply place the converter in the bottom of your favorite pot, fill with soil, and put in your plant or plants. Then you are ready to fill ‘em and leave ‘em. As the water in the soil evaporates it pulls moisture from the reservoir and the soil maintains a consistent amount of moisture. Wick systems are also available for outdoor plants and work the same way. All of these systems require potting.
Several more forced water systems for Indoor plantings are also available including systems on a timer that monitor the weather as well in order to conserve water.
If you are the handyman type, making your own wick or drip watering system is relatively easy. One example works well for outdoor plantings such as tomatoes. You will need two food safe plastic totes. One must be water tight. You will also need a saw, a marker or pencil, a coffee can, a measuring tape, a drill with 1/4″ bit and birdhouse or doorknob bit, a utility knife, and a 1 1/2″ diameter food safe plastic tube. Gather all that you will need to a safe roomy place to work.
Put the water tight tote aside until later. Mark a line that circles the inside of the other tote the height of the coffee can. Using a saw, cut around that circle and remove the top portion of the tote. Now, turn the bottom of the tote over and place the coffee can in the center. Draw a circle onto the tote the size of the coffee can. Using your utility knife or jig saw, cut about an inch inside that circle and remove. Now, drill 1/4″ holes evenly spaced into the cut tote’s bottom and the entire coffee can. Using your bird house or door knob bit, drill a 1 1/2″ hole in one corner of the cut tote.
Now you are ready to assemble your planter. Place the coffee can open side up in the center of the water tight tote. On top of this, place the inverted cut tote so the coffee can is centered on the hole. Now push your tubing into the 1 1/2″ hole in the corner of the cut tote. Now you are ready to fill with soil and plant. The moisture from the bottom will wick up through the soil and keep your plants healthy and happy.
This site is also filled with self-watering system designs both for purchase or to make yourself. A little research and a little ingenuity can lead to a very healthy and happy garden.