This is a 5 gallon self wicking tomato watering container. It can be made for and it is easy to make. A towel, 2 containers and sponges are the materials…
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Related Growing Tomato Articles
1 of 2: How to Build a 5 Gallon Self Wicking Tomato Watering Container
25 Comments
Comments are closed.
Good ideas.
I make these using a well system with one bucket but as far as inserting a pipe for top watering I use recycled sheer curtains from the thrift store as a barrier around the pipe so the soil mix won’t fall through. Polyester fabric will not rot and with the soil pressing around makes a good seal.
I haven’t. I might try that. The cotton does rot out but you have to change the soil every year…. so I just replace. But if it save me cutting towels thus time that is good.
Hey Gary, Have you experimented with different types of rope for the wick? I read that nylon actually wicks well and does not rot like cotton rope. I am not sure if polypropylene would work as it repels waters.
That is a great idea. That and also it can be modified to shrink the hole, skip the sponges and make a big knot in the towels to cover the hole. Lots of ways to do it but the principle is the same.
about the roots you said the small holes are for some of the roots to go through to the bottom bucket but wouldnt that kill the plant if the roots get into the water?
instead of using sponges can you just make 3 slits in the bucket and then feed the towels through the slits? Also can I use pvc piping and put it through from the top of the bucket all the way down to the bottom bucket? this way I can fill it from the top. In order to make sure the dirt would not fall down into the bottom bucket I would use silicone caulking around the pipe . would that work? or would the silicone be toxic?
That should work. Great project. I hope it works. IF you find one of my google+ garden communities… post some pictures.
Wow. Thats sound like fun. 90% cotton is more then enough.
Gary, This looks great!! I have 15 sets of buckets ready to go for my rooftop garden downtown Chicago. I just have one question, if I have lots of 90% cotton and 10% polyester towel for my wicks, do you think this would work??? Thanks for the help!!
That is awesome Gary – very easy. I want to try a similar idea for a deck railing box. A length of sealed ABS pipe for a reservoir with holes in the top where i will stuff sponges inside for my wicks.
Hey. I just modified the idea for this year. Skip the sponge and actually adjust hole a bit in size to be covered by massive towel knot on top and bottom. Less parts.
I wish we had those franchise in our area.
Hi Gary, great video!
FYI, Jason’s Deli has 6 gallon pickle buckets they usually through out. Also Firehouse subs has them that you can buy for $2 each, they donate the money to charity.
Your design is better than using a wicking basket and cheaper.
Just one thought, You might want to knot the towel strips so they don’t pull out from the bottom wicking hole when filling soil.
It does matter but that doesnt mean old soil wont work fine. If you have any compost or organic matter that would help. Mixing all you container soil together and breaking it up helps too. But the problem is a lot of nutrients get pulled out of the soil in containers. You have to replinish it in some way.
does it matter what soil you put in the bucket? I am really suffering financially this year and I already have old soil from my container garden so I really dont want to purchase any new soils.
Thats is a really good idea. And they are made for food.
Actually, you can make these even cheaper… all you do is ask any grocery store bakery and ask for their leftover frosting buckets… the delis might have leftover buckets from the condiments too. They’re free for the asking.
One think learned is you can make the hole smaller and just not the towel on both sides of the hole. Saves you the sponge step if you want.
Wow i am going to make some of them this year. Thanks
great idea
It doesnt need to be that big. In fact you can not the cloth on both sides of the hole and skip the sponge if you want.
Thats awesome. I will use something like (with holes on the side – vertical garden) this in the spring to grow strawberries. I’m not sure whole sponge seal is necessary. Wouldn’t it work the same with smaller center hole that is filled tight with wicking meterial?
Thanks.
Nicely done.
Always better to be safe. The sponge on the outside is a good idea. I stuffed mine with a rag. Just make sure it isn’t touching the water so it doesnt wick water out to nowhere. You can also make a plug out of aluminum foil.