i use homemade self-waterers, and they aren't bad. next time i need to ditch the 5-gallon buckets, or use those for smaller plants like determinates tho. just not enough soil.

my plants are going through a gallon of water a day, each. kinda sucks as i'm going on vacation soon and i need a better long-term feeding solution, so i'm going to try an overturned 5-gallon water bottle in a bucket ala a poultry feeder. 5 gallons, plus the reservoir in the bucket, plus the reservoir in the planter should get me about 7 gallons which should last about a week.

I made my containers from Rubbermaid 18 gal totes I got on sale at Lowes for $4.50 each. Each container took almost a full large bag of Miracle grow planting mix and I estimate my reservoir capacity at about 4 gallons per container. I don't mind watering everyday as my containers are just outside the back door on the porch. Next year I may try a battery operated hose bib timer with 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch poly pipe instead of doing it myself.

A lot of us use the self-watering containers. There's a GardenWeb section solely for container-growing, and there's good information there about containers, soils, aeration, fertilizer, and watering, as well as growing in self-watering containers. You might enjoy it a lot!

Here is a link that might be useful: Container Gardening

Thanks anney...I just noticed it. While I've got you...do you know how to include PICs in your postings? I've read the instructions but can't quite figure it out.

thanks

bingster

I know only one way to post pictures, but the information is in the thread below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Photobucket pictures

thanks anney

bing

Bingster, I agree about the DIY earthboxes. I used 18 gal rubbermaid, and I am quite happy so far. It is foolproof and worry free. I have some aphids and a little leaf curl thing going on, but I am not too worried about it. I'll try one of the home made spray recipes I guess.

Here are mine:

gardenscout.........I did the same thing, BUT......where are your watering pipes?? Am I just not able to see 'em?

Yup, they are just hard to see in that pic. They are white PVC -- you can kinda see them if you look real close.

I like my containers that water from the bottom too. I haven't seen any disease yet this year which is rare and watering is easy just keep units filled by checking a couple times a day as the plants get bigger. When the plants are small you don't need to water everyday.

Earth Boxes behind the half barrels.

Vermin eliminator???

Earth Boxes are in back and smaller containers in front have cherry tomatoes plants.

I am a FIRM BELIEVER in self-watering containers. I planted six plants using the self watering containters from gardener.com and 5 are now well over six feet tall. LOTS of tomatoes. I should be harvesting in 10-14 days. I'll post pics on another thread.

Water, water, water, water is KEY. I also ordered the patio watering system; ran it to each of my plants and set it on a timer. At 6:38am every morning, it pops on and runs two gallons of water to the resevoir of each container ... another 1/2gallon drip around the base of each plant ... and another 1/2 gallon to each of my four pepper plants (completely seperate). This now spares me from having to break my back watering everyday. I now can simply purne my plants as necessary and enjoy watching them grow.

to gardenscout...yup, I see 'em now. And it looks as though you modified the original design to pipe 'em 1/2 down the side instead of the corner, if I see ok. Any particular reason? I want to get the best production I can so if there's another benefit, I'd like to know. Thanks!

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses. I'm really excited with my results with the self watering buckets this season. Have sent you some PICS.

cheers

Bingster

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