How to make a Self Watering Planter
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- This easy DIY self watering planter will save you time and help keep your plants alive. This planter is easy to build and can be done super cheap using existing materials!
Resources:
How to Plant a Plant So It Won't Die: easylivingyard...
Ask Ben a Question: easylivingyard...
Outline:
0:01 - Intro
1:45 - How it works
7:30 - Materials and Tools
10:08 - Build Process
16:00 - How to plant a plant so it won't die
Wow, This video should be the gold standard for 'how to' videos. Its the most well organized I've ever seen. The format of first giving the basics of a concept, then the way you showed the execution - video at just the right speed with concise explanation on the side - was just perfect! I'll be telling everyone about this channel. Thank you!
Ben, can I give you an Oscar for what has to be one of the best written, produced, directed and very well (explained videos) that I have ever seen ..... You should be hired to create other people's videos ... Thank You so much for the effort and time you put into this video ....
Wow thanks Mark! I'm glad you found it helpful. I really appreciate the kind words!
I second this.
I thought to myself, " that comment is over the top... it's just a stupid video"... Nope. Ben deserves an Oscar
Best tutorial re gardening tips. Most people forget and don't explain each step for newbies... BUT now I'm confident I can makes these and won't end up with an unexpected problem to solve. Thanks.
The computer visuals were extremely helpful! I feel confident I can actually do this, thank you!!
I must admit, I have more confidence and understanding of this now that I saw it demonstrated in 3D. Great job.
I like the idea of using those buckets for herbs especially the ones that can be invasive like mint and thyme. What a great idea🎉
First time I subscribed to a YT channel after watching just one video. Very impressive and informative, now I am ready to build some.
Love how your video is straightforward. No “filler talk”. Also love the graphic/mechanical illustration! Very helpful for understanding the construction. Finally, appreciate your thoughtfulness about cleaning up plastic shavings!
Ben, I’ve been searching TH-cam for self wicking buckets for a long time. Yours however is the most simplest & cost effective. Here in Hawaii buckets cost $8 ea. so having a double planter was out of the question. Mahalo Nui Loa for the illustrations - it’s obvious that you’ve put a lot of work into it…and you’re appreciated!
You get a 10 out of 10 for this video. I wish all instructional videos where this comprehensive.
Thanks Jeff! I really appreciate it. Let me know if you need any further help.
American pragmatism and efficiency. Well done guy.
France
I have been looking for videos that teaches how the winking system works.
Finally I have settled on this video that simply explains clearly and easily.
Thanks Ben, you deserve a 10 out of 5 stars.
Just watched 5 videos on how to make self watering pots and yours was the best! You clearly showed each step and answered questions I had after watching video from the others. Thank you!
Thanks Marc!
As an engineer and fellow plant enthusiast, I ridiculously enjoyed the structured presentation of this video 😂
Perfectly explained.
Haha thanks! I guess my nerd shows through :-)
Me too.
I was impressed with the CAD as that type of computer work baffles me!
Civil engineering tech who also lovvved your presentation!
Such a fantastic step by step video, that was awesome showing all parts on the computer, I never completely understood the contruction of these self watering planters until now. Thank you!😊
Agreed!
Thanks Michelle! I'm glad you found it helpful to understand better!
Thanks Karolina!
@@EasyLivingYards great video man 👍
Very nice vdo , beginner like me can follow , I’m from India and not so good with English , even then i followed your vdo, your assistant is also as good as you
Thank you Kokila! I hope it helps you build your own planters. Let me know if you have any questions. Your English is very good :-)
The best instructional video I ever viewed. I want to like it a thousand times if I can. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
There is one improvement I would suggest: drill some small holes on the plate to allow excessive water to go down the reservoir in case of heavy rain.
Wow thanks Neal, that means a lot! Thanks for the feedback on the divider plate as well - hadn't thought of that.
How deep can the wick go before it stops watering the plant? can the bottom wicking container be long and sit in a long bucket and still work?
@@justicematters5447 I saw someone put a long bamboo stick into the tube like a dipstick to see how much water is left in the container. They just remove it when they add water.
@@lindastrang6755 Good to know
The best video I have seen so far
Ben, I've never commented on a video. But yours was EXCEPTIONALLY well made !!
I have watched probably 20 videos by different people on how to engineer these buckets and it was by far the best one I have seen. I especially liked your explanation about gap of air between the top of the water and the lid. I have seen others where instead of using a T-shirt, it uses one of the containers at the bottom, pack it real hard and the water wicks through the dirt... I am amazed that enough water will wick through that T-shirt to keep the plants (tomato plants in my case) alive.
I have also wondered about the difference in outcome of wicking material (the t-shirt) vs wicking soil tube. I have materials for both in hand.
Just watched a Buku of videos on how to make self watering pots and yours was the best!
This is brilliant! And you do such a great job of explaining everything! There's nothing worse than DIY vidoes without any explanation of what they're doing or using for materials. So a huge thank you for all your hard work!
Thanks Karen! I appreciate the kind words.
You made this project seem so easy in this video I was able to show it to my husband and make 2 planters today. He wanted to make them! (NICE!!) You have a very clear and concise way to teaching! Thank you so much!
Wow!!! As you have heard from pretty much everybody your video is brilliant on every level. My husband I and moved into our new home last August so this will be our first full growing season in our new home. I’m going to be using a lot of container planting this year and your self watering planter is going to be of immense help. Also wanted to mention that you can very easily turn the 5 gallons bucket into quite an attractive container with a quick layer of KILZ and then painting or spray paint. Not sure how to send you photos of them but am sure it’s possible if you would like to see them. Thank you again!
Hands down best video on for people like me who have added and need something simple and to the point. I appreciate you for making this video.
Great use of software and narration to thoroughly explain how this works. High quality stuff, thank you!
Your description and computer diagrams are the best and clearest teaching video I’ve seen.
Thank you for the brilliantly clear design, Ben!
I've made one of these already, currently building numbers two and three 🎉
Finally…I get it! I must’ve watched 20 videos on how to do this, but there was ALWAYS a step or two that it seemed was left out. Probably, people assume a level of understanding, which I just didn’t have. Your working diagram leaves no missing link, so this is, by far, the best video explanation I’ve seen. Thank you! So, the wicking material doesn’t let the soil get into the water at all? Or, maybe it has to be redone at the end of the season? Again, thank you for a thorough explanation of the project; the sign of an excellent teacher!
I appreciate your video instruction style. Keeping it simple and breaking it down "Barney style". No long winded instructions that make one lose interest or fall asleep. Thank you for a no nonsense approach. I'm now a subscriber. 👍🙏🇺🇸
Thanks Debbie! I'm glad you found it helpful and I didn't put you to sleep :-) Let me know if I can be any help!
@@EasyLivingYards 😂😂no not at all! Some of us need simple. So many take their presentation over the top.
One of the clearest tutorials I've ever watched. Also, i love Organic Mechanics and glad others have discovered it.
Thanks Valeri! Good to hear you're enjoying Organic Mechanics as well!
Best explanation of this I've seen yet. Thanks!
I'm glad you found it helpful! Let me know if you need help!
Thank you for explaining how to put this whole thing together man…straight to the POINT
You deserve more likes, I thought I understood self watering container but I understand it much much better after this video.
And thank you for being responsible with plastic!
Ha thank you! And thanks for noticing my bit about plastic :-) Perhaps I should have put a tarp down first....
Your video on the topic is the best. You’re also the only one that introduces the air layer above the water line to separate roots/soil from the bottom water reservoir. As a MS Office power user over the decades, I appreciate your diagram so much! Tell, then show, is always the teaching method that works the best. Thank you!
This is the first video of plenty I watched that I finally understand how it works. Keep it simple and well done brother
I've been using wicking containers for a few years now. I have even made some very similar to the one you demonstrated here. But the use of the computer model makes this one of the best wicking container videos I've seen.
Thanks bingster. Glad you've had a good experience with wicking containers. Do you have any additional tips or pointers from your experience?
BEST instruction for making a Self-watering planter that I've seen! Very happy because I have to share with my husband and he's not familiar with them. Thank you!!!
This is a wonderful tutorial! The 3D modeling really adds a lot of information. Please include a link to the software in your show notes. Thanks for making this video available!
Thanks for watching! This was modeled using Sketchup.
www.sketchup.com/
Great tutorial. The sketch-up was a nice touch. One thing I love about self-wicking buckets are the opportunities for materials reuse. I've got lots of old shirts I can use for the wicks and lots of food containers I can use as supports.
Yes as long as you aren’t concerned for aesthetics there are tons of opportunities. It’s a great way to repurpose materials. The only downside is I can’t wear my old ratty tshirts anymore!
A great use for those 14 ounce plastic coffee containers that I can't seem to throw out and our municipality no longer accepts plastic for recycling.
Most plants will grow certain types of roots down into that water. And it's good for them. They like it. Also you could put rocks in the bottom.
I watched a few of these videos. This one is by far the best!
Thanks. This is by far the best self watering planter video I've seen. Conscice and well orchestrated.
This is the best ‘how-to’ I’ve seen yet. The computer rendering was really helpful. Thanks 🤛
Great video!
Repotting my tomatoes using your great instructions.
That's awesome! Tomatoes are thirsty and love self-watering planters. I'm glad you've found this helpful!
Wow! This is the best video I’ve seen on self watering planters! Your 3-D presentation was great. You’ve answered all my questions about self watering planters. Keep up the good work!
I love bucket gardening...great video with explanations
Thanks for watching and sharing your positive vibes!
Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you son. Thank you for sharing with us. this wonderful thing. Oh my goodness I have all of those materials at home. I’m gonna make me five of them. God bless you child.🙏🏼
Thank you very much! The clearest explanation I have seen. It helped to see all angles. Great job!
Ben, this was great! I can't wait to make mine. All the best to you. Be well.
Nice explanation. Thanks.
Great simple approach finally have a reason to get rid of those old cotton t shirts. PVC pipe would make great stand off on the bottom.
Thanks for that one, I really appreciate the Sketchup overview and the step by step explanation! Now my plants survive during vacation time :)
I’m seeing this long after you created. Wow! I second what others have said. Your presentation is top notch. I’d never heard if wicking containers or self watering until just this spring. I’ve read and watched a lot. Your video is the only one I’ve completely understood. Thank you so very much!
Easy to follow steps.great i can leave my containers unattended for a couple of days...well done.
.looking forward to seeing your other videos
Thanks Shastri!
This is the best video on self watering containers. Very cost effective and easy to do. You explained it very well!
Like the idea of the filling tube. Used to fill my big driveway planters 1/3 with packing peanuts, then a layer of of landscape fabric. I would use heavy cotton rope as a wick, 3 or 4 poked through the fabric into the water/peanut packing well. Add soil and plants. Would just top water, extra water fell into the bottom and would wick back up into the soil. Going to try a couple taller decorative ones with a fill tube and drain hole for our seasonal campsite.
Another plus is the water comes from the bottom so the roots aren't pampered and stay shallow.👌
Thanks for pointing out! That’s correct - this helps train the plants to grow as naturally as possible in the pot. This is also why it’s really important to have an air gap between the reservoir and the soil so the roots don’t get waterlogged. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the diagram. Absolutely excellent instructions.
Phenomenal video! I was feeling so optimistic about my ability to make these until you started talking about all the equipment required to cut everything 😭
I love how sustainable you are and the subtle suggestions with ways that work! There isn’t much availability of rice hulls and they’re entirely underrated in gardening! Amazing instructional video. Thank you!
Thanks for the kind words Ian!
how come one be that much creative in explaining stuff like that
GREAT VIDEO!!!
Thanks Lori! Glad you found it helpful!
Better tomorrow than today....great
Thanks! Easy to say, hard to live by...
By far the best video on this subject. Explaining all the steps and why they are important is so wonderful.
Thanks Nevin! I'm glad you found it helpful!
Your video is the best on TH-cam at explaining this project. Love your philosophy too❤️
Oooh thank you. I loved the demonstration.
You're welcome Malia! Thank you for sharing your gratitude. I appreciate it. Let me know if you need any help.
Amazing video! Thank you Very much Ben. Hope to see more of your videos!
Thank you sir, I hav looked at many self wicking video,I never could understand it ,this morning I looked at your video and voila I got it,it was so easily demonstrated,thank you again
This is an EXCELLENT demonstration on how to achieve the final product! I’m am not handy and new to gardening. I’m confident now that I can do this. The 3D demonstration helped SOO MUCH! Thank you very much for taking your time to explain and show how to get to the final product! 🥰🙏🏽
This was an excellent tutorial. Thank you for doing this video!
Thanks for taking the time to share! It means a lot to hear all of the nice feedback! Good luck in the garden!
You just made my day! I’ve been wanting the expensive version of these; can’t wait to make my ow! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you. another use for old t shirts!
Absolutely brilliant 👍🏻
Thank you 🙏 🇬🇧
Very good explanations. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@EasyLivingYards You are welcome
Well explained with illustration. The best I've ever seen. Bravo!!
Thx much!!
Thanks Fyle!
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!!! ❤
These are cool, I did a hanging basket, I first put 2 litres of water then drilled my hole at the water line, amazing great post 👍👍🌱
Wow never tried a hanging basket. Thanks for the idea Mike!
This video is so clear in explaining how self watering works ! By far the best I have seen. Thank you!
Thanks Grace! Glad you found it helpful.
Cool tutorial. Will try it out.
Thanks I hope it works well.
👍👍👍fantastic step by step video, that was awesome showing all parts on the computer, I never completely understood the contruction of these self watering planters until now. Thank you!😊👍👍🤏
This video is the BEST how 2 for self-wicking I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen a bunch! Thank you. New subbie. 😊
This video is just amazing!! Thank you so much..
I will be starting to do this wonderful project. THANKS!😊
Thanks Eve! I hope you enjoy building, and I hope it turns out awesome!
What an excellent design and video, making it easy! Thank You
Thank you for such a great explanation and demonstration! I bought one and it didn't last a year. I feel this is a much better and affordable way to have my garden as I either over or under water!
Great vid dude. Gonna do some like that. I have a few with nested 5 gallon buckets and they work GREAT! On your fill pipe,try a couple 45s and a reducer at the top to act as a "funnel". Then cap it. The offset and reducer make them much easier to fill once they start bushing out.
Awesome, what a brilliant tutorial. You deserve a prize for this. Thanks
so much.
Thank you for the very detail step by step how to create a self watering planters. 👍
Thanks for the great ideas. I have a bunch of buckets I didn't know what to do with, now I know. I was planning to plant this weekend, so I found you just in time. Needless to say you have a new subscriber here. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Patricia! Let me know how it works out! Just rebuilt some this weekend as well!
That was an incredible video! It explains things so easily!
Best video showing how to construct and how these self wicking tubs work. Thank you.
VERY WELL EXPLAINED AND IT IS NOT EXPENSIVE TO MAKE ONE,THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Thanks for watching and commenting! That’s correct, you can make these as cheaply or as fancy as you want. A lot of us have enough scraps laying around to make this for free.
The best illustration I’ve seen yet. 👍
Thanks Russ!
Love the idea. How long does the water last? I need something that would last 1 month.
This is so rich,
My question is how long can you go without refilling your bucket?
Amazeballs this is great stuff love it works awesome better than the 2 bucket way. Switching all of them to this style 👍👍👍👍
Lol thanks! Let me know how it works out!
I love the visual aids, its totally dummy proof! Awesome work
This is so informational. I finally understand how self watering pots work. Thank you so much for doing this video it was awesome how to break everything down!!!!
fantastic tutorial with awesome graphics. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! I'm glad you found it helpful.
Best video of all that I've watched. And i watched allot. Even the weed growing videos. Those guys go into detail but nothing like this. Now i gotta find out what item i have will wick the best cause i absolutely have to try your design
Brilliant video. I have researched self watering pot videos a lot and this one is the best, hands down! Thank you!
Great video. Love the design and explanation!!
Thank you for watching!
Great video for self-watering pots so far.
Greeting from Indonesia