Sub-irrigated planters, also called self-watering containers, are vandalism that water the dirt by means of a wick. Water out of a reservoir of water beneath the dirt is sucked upward via a sloping basket full of dirt. Sub-irrigated planters are especially helpful for growing container plants that require a constant supply of water throughout the growing season. These planters often hold more water than traditional planters and require less frequent watering to keep an optimal level of soil moisture.
Preparing Components
Choose a standard plastic planter, with tapered sides, to turn into a sub-irrigated planter.
Find a planter tray that will fit inside the chosen planter around one-third to one-half of the way down; the distance under the tray will likely form the reservoir.
Locate a plastic cup — just like a discarded yogurt container — smaller than the height of the planter reservoir by about 1 inch to utilize as your wicking basket.
Cut a hole slightly smaller than the rim of this sloping basket, through the middle of this planter tray, having a hole saw, so that when the rubbed basket is dropped inside this hole, it rests in the hole without falling through.
Cut a 1 3/4-inch hole through the planter tray, at least 1 inch from the edge of the slider, using a hole saw. That is the hole to get the watering tube.
Drill two dozen one-half-inch holes to the sides of the wicking basket.
Cut filter fabric to a 3-inch circle and slice an X , 1 1/2 inches long, through the middle of the filter fabric, using a box cutter.
Cut a 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe to a length 2 inches longer than the height of the planter, using a saw. Make the cut at a 45 degree angle.
Making The Planter
Insert the planter tray inside the planter.
Place the wicking basket inside the hole you drilled through the middle of this planting tray, so that the basket rests inside the reservoir.
Set the middle of the X at the filter fabric above the hole you cut in the planter tray for the watering tube.
Place the angled tip of the PVC pipe via the X and to the hole. Catch the PVC pipe all the way down the hole via the planter tray, until the end of the PVC pipe rests at the base of the reservoir.
Drill a three-quarter-inch hole to the side of the planter near the top of the reservoir; that is the overflow hole.
Fill the planter with dirt and fill the reservoir with water through the watering tube, with a scoop.