You could wrap the container in burlap or canvas to decrease the uv rays that break down the plastic and makes it brittle over the years. Use the left over lid rim to hold the burlap neatly up over the rip of the covered bin. Just add a small hole in the burlap where your water inlet/outlet hole in the container is. Now instead of ugly mismatched blue, green and grey rubbermaid containers cluttering your deck, you've got high-end looking burlap covered containers with blue green and grey accent rims.
I did it this way for years. Since then I found a different way: (because I am lazy) I use two containers I use the one on the bottom to hold the water etc. but instead of using the cover to hold the dirt I slide the second tote whole right on top. Everything is the same as you did it but I use the second tote instead of cutting the lid. This way all the dirt stays in the top and it stays sturdy an fits snug... Sometimes I use just holes in the top tote and feed cotton clothes line through hole and that does the wicking. There are many ways. Yours is very neat. Thank for making this video. ....... By the way that little seedling tent is genius. I am going to make one right now. My open air plantings attracted bugs already. I will be using a large picture frame and some bendable branches, Willows will work best.
I made mine in a similar manner, except that I put a semipermeable barrier (a heavy old t-shirt) between the barrier of the soil above and the reservoir below. This keeps the soil above from being washed into the reservoir below and ending up as a blocking slurry that clogs the overflow pipe in the side of the container. The water is wicked up through the t-shirt to the soil and plant roots below. It is easily replaced next year for another planting season. For my reservoir I used old soda bottles (1 or 2 liters worked well for me). I also put an upright soda container above that sat in the bottom of another below (again a sliced soda bottle) to make it easier to water the reservoir. On the one above, I left the cap on to help prevent detritus from getting into the water below, and to help prevent evaporation. For my semipermeable membrane, I wrapped the t-shirt around a piece of shower curtain that sat on top of the soda bottles below. I sliced channels along the sides of the soda bottles to allow free flow of the water. I also sliced channels in the shower curtain, with the t-shirt pulled slightly through for its wicking action. I got my tubs from Goodwill for $1.59 each. The soda bottles were saved from the trash bin, as was the t-shirt. Another couple of dollars was spent on reinforced plastic water pipe from Menards (cut into 3" pieces for each tub, it made quite a few). The shower curtain was also bought from Goodwill for $0.89 per pound, and was enough for several tubs. The soil was potting soil for about $4 per cubic yard from Lowe's. For less than $20 I ended up with at least 4 self irrigating planters of a quite usable size. (The potting soil was my most expensive component.)
@@jmwag69 The 3" piece was inserted into the side of the tub to allow water to drain from about one or two inches from the bottom. That keeps the tub from filling up with water, yet keeps a small reservoir available for the roots when it's dry. That means even less need for me to keep adding water, and fulfills the self-irrigating function.
@@colleenfletcher2550 No open water for them to get into. Except for the small exit tube near the bottom of the tub, there is no outside access to the water at the bottom of the tub. The upright bottle through which water can be added if needed is otherwise sealed off with the bottle cap when not being actively used.
I just came across this video this morning and I've never seen anything like this, so would you be able to make a video of your own showing how to make one of yours? My spouse died and I'm alone so I need all the help I can get. I'm not really understanding the T-shirt comcept and how the T-shirt water gets to the roots with the plastic lid on top holding all of the soil there. I'm trying to visualize it but I'm having a hard time.
I've spent a day watching How to videos on self watering planters and this is by far the best! Overall the less expensive, to build and maintain. Intelligent presentation! Thanks for sharing this info!
Same ~ love that the drain hole is also the fill hole!!! After trying to consider how to reduce the cost of making these, I had thought, ‘I’ll just use a funnel in the hole, to fill it, after adding an inverted mesh screen to reduce mosquitoes.’
Love that you pointed out the fact that water always seeks it’s own level, it’s the number one proof of out non rotating flat stationary Beautiful Earth😍.
This is a lifesaver video. I have been worrying about how to garden on a patio and where the water is gonna go. I got back issues so bending and stuff is a no-go. This planter wick system can easily be adapted to an indoor tabletop, benchtop, and the fear of "Oh s***! forgot to water is done as well. BRILLIANT! BTW That trimmed lid could be re-purposed into a transparent shade for low plants with a sheet of plastic across it and a few holes on the edge of a side and an edge of the planter. zip ties for hinges and voila. THANK YOU!
I watched another ladies video that used totes. She didn't have this wicking system. But she did set a lot of her totes in old chairs which made them high and easier to work with. I think that was a good idea I'm gonna try. I have extra deck chairs that I can't afford to buy new cushions for. So instead of just leaving them stacked by the shed, I'm going to sit them out and set my totes in them and tell to do a few of these container gardens this year. Id for a old plastic, kids arse swimming pool. Id planned to put it on top of my well top and use it for a container garden. I've got to get a move on! But we are supposed to have a freeze here late Sun nite into early Monday morning. Maybe in the 20's!!
You also could cut 1/2" slits in your recessed lids...like 1/2" wide slit....4-5" long.... Put an old piece of tee shirt or old table cloth strip, or old sheet strip through that 4" long open area and down into the water reservoir. Then lay the length of fabric across that 1/2 way up false floor u have created, And have the fabric lay flat on the false floor....the fabric will wick the water up into that lovely potting soil u created and ur soil can receive moisture that way, also......I love ur home made potting mix.💖💖💖 What a great idea this watering set up is....it rocks
Thanks very much, you really help. About a month ago a neighbor came by with news she and her husband were moving to Michigan, and she wanted to know If I would take her container garden? I'm in covid isolation, so a new project sounded good. So I began watching RUclips videos on wicking (I'm in Arizona, so this is a really good idea!). Yours was the first video I watched, and I was really pleased with your design and presentation. In the last month (during our heat wave), I've watched a zillion others. Now as I'm getting ready to plant a fall crop, I've got to set up another container. I'm back here, getting my instructions. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Thanks for sharing the video on a wicking bed. I wondered why container plants have so many problems. I am planning on growing plants on top of my worm beds and trying to figure out if I need the wicking action indoors. I am thinking the worms will help aerate everything and they may not be needed. I grow microgreens and baby greens in trays with worms and it works great. It solves all my mold problems and the microgreens grow like crazy. I also never have to change my soil. I have trays I have planted 30 times. Worms in microgreen trays is the missing puzzle piece. I am going to try to do the same with my worm bins. Anyway, thanks for sharing, it was helpful.
Thank you for this demo…with the drought here in California, our well is lower than usual, and this is just the ticket for summer crops! We even plan on expanding to more beds next year. Much thanks for your information!
The oldest video I've found on this topic. So interesting to see the evolution of this simple idea. I'll be using larger containers grouped together, then I'll wrap them as a group, with UV blocking thermal cloth to help the containers last longer.
Here's a thought for how to use those lid remnants: as others have said, they can reinforce the top edge, but they can do double duty by clamping down some landscaping fabric. Cut an "X" for your herbs/veggies to grow through, and never worry about weeds taking root again.Call it "cheater mulch," but it sure does work.
@@lesleymasumoto808 You can buy landscaping fabric at any big box store. It keeps weeds out but lets water and nutrients through and usually comes on a roll. Cut it a little larger than the bed and push landscape staples into the mat and soil to clamp it down around edges of bed at soil level. Then wherever you want to plant, cut an X into fabric, folding the cut parts back to make space to plant. After planting, fold cut fabric back flat so it surrounds plant. This is a great use for ‘weed mat’ as I call it, but I don’t like using it in landscaped areas or gardens, because it takes a long time to bio-degrade, and keeps out nutritious twigs, leaves and the like from breaking down and enriching the soil. I use cardboard under mulch around my landscaping plants, as it greatly discourages weeds for 6 months- a year, and breaks down and enriches the soil, as does the mulch. 🤓
@@deborahahonen6949 excellent idea! I was about to suggest the same thing with the rims of the lids. I also hate weeding my garden beds lol. They actually make a red plastic film that's used as a mulch specifically designed for tomatoes. The red is supposed to help reflect the light onto the plants to encourage them to ripen whilst holding the moisture in the soil preventing evaporation and blocking weeds. I've seen it advertised in a few gardening magazines. I have never used it before so don't know how well it actually works. Might have to try it out and see!
You'd be able to make containers out of scrap wood or pallets too.Many alternative materials could be used in the construction of the bins, etc.I too loved this presentation.Thanks.
Excellent explainer video, Jesse. You did a fine job of conveying the important primary concepts, while also filling in the gaps with a lot of quality secondary detail. I learned a lot from this video and will likely use this same approach, next spring, in the construction of my balcony kitchen herb garden. Thank you very much.
I follow this method and made one wBed for my basil & mint cutting. I realised soil is too over moist whole day long. I think the base 2 bottles of soil need to be a much smaller size so absorption is slower. U have to adjust & modify to diff plant needs. So far, this is the best wBed diy u seen. Thanks,
After looking through many videos on the subject I was lucky enough to find this one that's clear and easy to understand the process, thanks for sharing. One thing I'd not is that when you put the pots in the bottom they are I guess tight and fit pretty perfect but if they did not you'd run the risk of soil dumping into the water plenum if the pot shifted off the hold you cut in the plastic barrier. I would make sure the pots were a tight fit or if not they were attached or shimmed in some way that you'd not have any movement.
We’ve tested this method for many months now Kudos! This is great So appropriate for Southern California which is so dry Works great This is genius Thanks Jesse !
Great video Jesse, you have a lot of good ideas so I subscribed. Been looking at different ideas for these wicking tubes. One I think will help your viewers is make extra hole in the barrier plastic that cover pots in bottom. Install a length of PVC pipe cut at an angle at one end. Cut piece long enough to reach bottom of tub, angle end down. Other end comes up couple inches above top rim. Secure to side of tub drilling two small holes and secure with a zip tie. Now you have an easier to fill water reservoir and a way to monitor water level, slip a stick or something down PVC pipe you will know where water level is, or get creative and put fishing bobber in pipe with flag attached and see when time to add water. Cap top of pipe to keep critters out. Hope this helps your viewers. Th
Hell I ended up going on your description on your page and you guys got going on about plants then I hit the page to get some more good 👍information and ended up getting 2 different pages showing how to get over each other and how to do co-parenting wow 👏🙃😅
great video! i have been building these myself...what about the 2 wicking pots drainage holes? wont they leak soil in the reservoir? i thought u were going to line them with netting? any different styles u use now? considering this was 2013.. thanks again bk
Thanks Jesse...gr8 tutorial, I finally got it. This I can DEFINATELY use! I have very limited planting space and will be using lots of containers to maximize on my available space.
This is a bit off-topic question. But the PVC pipe containers in the background intrigues me. Do you have a video on it? If not, what material is the black container made of? Thanks! Really loved this.
Good stuff..... Bought 6 of these containers at Home Depot and filled it to the top with soil and planted my potatoes. So no room for a water table unless I make a small chamber at the bottom (3 inches??). But, im giving this a try as I need to water every day and worry I miss... Cool idea for sure... My next harvest!!!!
I can tell you are a teacher. Great job! I learned so much watching this video. I have subscribed and will watch more of your videos. I cannot wait to try this.
This is a wonderful idea!! I live in Arizona and my pots dry out quick, and I have to water every day. So this will help me tremendously!! thank you so much!!
Good advice. How about taking that fabric and covering the entire platform so the soil doesn’t go into the reservoir? It may be expensive at first but it can probably be reused the next year. Btw, I use acrylic yarn wicks for my indoor African violets water system-which drink water from a cutoff pop bottle. The potted plant has a good potting mix with the yarn. The yarn travels from close to the top of the soil to the bottom of the bottle reservoir. The yarn drinks up water and weak solution of fertilizer. The roots actually grow toward the yarn and grow onto the wet wick all the way into the pop bottle. 0:03 This system is a self watering fix for fussy African violets (leaves shouldn’t be wet) and believe it or not the plant gets stiff (engorged with water) from its constant ability to suck up water and bloom so profusely, too.
Wow, I loved learning from you today about the wicking planters. I am just starting out with raised beds this year. My husband built us 3 beds 3x8x2.5. The soil is great. We are mixing it ourself as I learned in the gardening class I took called Kitchen Garden Academy. I think I will definitely try one or two bins with tomatoes and one with squash, or watermelon. Depends on the one I read needs water like the tomatoes. I will have drip set ups in my 3 planters and I can extend it into the bins but I do want to try that way. I look forward to seeing more of your videos. I’m in Southern Maryland so we don’t get heat as long as you do .
Interesting video and great ideas. Interesting with effectively a solid layer between water and soil using the plastic lid I hadn’t seen that before. I’m not sure why you either bother to stuff the holes on the edge of the lid but left the wicking point with holes to the water point. Or perhaps you forgot to show this? I’m referring to the draining holes in the pots, I would think you need a geo material between the water and wicking dirt so the reservoir doesn’t fill with the dirt.
Although you plugged up the small gaps with burlap but then the 2 holes that lead to 1 gallon containers are full of soil that could fall out into the water reservoir area, which is what you were trying to avoid with the burlap. Is that right?
oh my god! i love your honesty! i love this video! im so happy to see that you made a mistake and showed us. i learned more by paying attention to your mistake as if it was my own mistake and i would enter a situation of enhanced attention. im subscribing now because of your honest mistake!
The holes in the wicking columns/pots are quite large I would use some shade cloth or geotextle cloth to stop the wicking material going into the water, otherwise a good video.
On the East Coast, we have problems with Gipsy Moth Caterpillars. They eat all the leaves. For my herbs and salad greens. I would stretch a piece of netting on top, and then tightly secure the edges with the lid. That will allow rain and sunshine, but keep the bugs away.🙂
Seems like a lot of work. I just make holes 2-3 inches from the bottom of my totes sitting on chairs, catch over flow with a bucket to use to water other pots or place potted plants to catch the over flow.
Consider my working with urban gardeners who may not have access to items, In place of Peat & Vermiculite as your wicks, what alternatives are there? Can you use rough woodchips? Woodships mixed with sand? Advantages/disadvantages? Thanks.
Use the lids to keep weed barrier or a plastic cover in place, just cut out holes where you put plants. It acts as a pest and weed blocker as well as reduces evaporation.
Robert Millard just to clarify are you saying use extra lids for this or use the original lid with the container instead of how he uses it as a barrier between the water and soil ?
@@RestorationRanchHealing you use the original lid. it acts as a light blocker and sort of like a mulch. it keeps the sun from bleaching the soil and does a little to keep pests from intruding. The biggest issue you will see with this method is fungus gnats. They will kill saplings and sprouts unless they are established. Fungus gnats shouldn't live for long or appear if you are filling the containers from below the first 2 inches of soil anyways though.
I love this video. I have a couple of questions please. I have a small patio and want to do this as my containers tend to dry out quickly in my very hot yard. But in the winter we also get a hard freeze and my containers would have to remain outdoors. So do you ever have a mold or fungus issue in the water reservoir? Does it have to be taken apart and cleaned every year? Also I would drain them for winter but have you had any experience with how they stand up to be frozen over winter if there is some water left in the bottom of the reservoir?
@@snowhero9 I'm newbro gardening... what do mean by beneficials? Also.. does this mean it would be safe to leave thebwater in the containers and use them the following year? I live in Maryland and the containers would have to sit all winter.
Hey Jesse great educational video. I'm interested in knowing about the black fabric pots behind you on the vid. Did you make those, what kind of fabric was used and where could I get it from.
Jesse, you mentioned in the notes that you had better success with a different wicking bed design. The link you provided does not work. Can you update the link to help us get to the other design video. Thanks
When we live in Florida I remember we defended our pots from two most sunny sides with wooded blocks and let the air flow between them, it helps a little.
HI Laura it really depends on the weather and growth of the plant. The whole point is the keep it topped up so the plants are never out of water, which would reduce production and yield. I will top them up once a day. The set up ensure that you never over water.
This was a great video, very informative. Thank you do much for taking your time to teach others. I have learned so much just on this one video must of all when I only do container planting since it is easier for me.
@@keewan7459 Thanks for the information. I actually have a soil block device, but could never get it to work well. The soil block soil mix is key, so I'm going to check out this guy's web site and see if he talks about it.
Nice job except it seems by putting soil in the corner cups some soil will go into the water reservoir which want to be only water. What size do the holes need to be at the bottom of cups and how far up should the holes be ?
This is an exceptional video and the best I've seen, and I have just a quick question -- everything else I have read says you need an air gap for root oxygenation - how could we work this into the system? Otherwise it seems that not a lot of air is getting to the roots. Thanks if you are still maintaining the Q&A on this classic video!
Just saw this video of yours. Very clever idea; just curious as to if people could do this with just empty pots then why do some people used those big black tubes with slots in them ? 🤷♀️ this looks so much easier and cheaper $.
Thank God an actual instructor. Its so exhausting watching seasoned ppl whom are unable to impartvtheir knowledge. Thank you soooooo much!!!
You could wrap the container in burlap or canvas to decrease the uv rays that break down the plastic and makes it brittle over the years. Use the left over lid rim to hold the burlap neatly up over the rip of the covered bin. Just add a small hole in the burlap where your water inlet/outlet hole in the container is. Now instead of ugly mismatched blue, green and grey rubbermaid containers cluttering your deck, you've got high-end looking burlap covered containers with blue green and grey accent rims.
Ten years later this is all the rage. Thanks
One of the best videos for self watering containers. Hats off to you.
I did it this way for years. Since then I found a different way: (because I am lazy) I use two containers I use the one on the bottom to hold the water etc. but instead of using the cover to hold the dirt I slide the second tote whole right on top. Everything is the same as you did it but I use the second tote instead of cutting the lid. This way all the dirt stays in the top and it stays sturdy an fits snug... Sometimes I use just holes in the top tote and feed cotton clothes line through hole and that does the wicking. There are many ways. Yours is very neat. Thank for making this video. ....... By the way that little seedling tent is genius. I am going to make one right now. My open air plantings attracted bugs already. I will be using a large picture frame and some bendable branches, Willows will work best.
I made mine in a similar manner, except that I put a semipermeable barrier (a heavy old t-shirt) between the barrier of the soil above and the reservoir below. This keeps the soil above from being washed into the reservoir below and ending up as a blocking slurry that clogs the overflow pipe in the side of the container. The water is wicked up through the t-shirt to the soil and plant roots below. It is easily replaced next year for another planting season.
For my reservoir I used old soda bottles (1 or 2 liters worked well for me).
I also put an upright soda container above that sat in the bottom of another below (again a sliced soda bottle) to make it easier to water the reservoir. On the one above, I left the cap on to help prevent detritus from getting into the water below, and to help prevent evaporation.
For my semipermeable membrane, I wrapped the t-shirt around a piece of shower curtain that sat on top of the soda bottles below. I sliced channels along the sides of the soda bottles to allow free flow of the water. I also sliced channels in the shower curtain, with the t-shirt pulled slightly through for its wicking action. I got my tubs from Goodwill for $1.59 each. The soda bottles were saved from the trash bin, as was the t-shirt. Another couple of dollars was spent on reinforced plastic water pipe from Menards (cut into 3" pieces for each tub, it made quite a few). The shower curtain was also bought from Goodwill for $0.89 per pound, and was enough for several tubs. The soil was potting soil for about $4 per cubic yard from Lowe's. For less than $20 I ended up with at least 4 self irrigating planters of a quite usable size. (The potting soil was my most expensive component.)
Great ideas! I'm not understanding what the 3" cut water pipes were used for? If you have any photos of setup, I'd love to see them.
@@jmwag69 The 3" piece was inserted into the side of the tub to allow water to drain from about one or two inches from the bottom. That keeps the tub from filling up with water, yet keeps a small reservoir available for the roots when it's dry. That means even less need for me to keep adding water, and fulfills the self-irrigating function.
What stops from mosquito development?
@@colleenfletcher2550 No open water for them to get into. Except for the small exit tube near the bottom of the tub, there is no outside access to the water at the bottom of the tub. The upright bottle through which water can be added if needed is otherwise sealed off with the bottle cap when not being actively used.
I just came across this video this morning and I've never seen anything like this, so would you be able to make a video of your own showing how to make one of yours? My spouse died and I'm alone so I need all the help I can get. I'm not really understanding the T-shirt comcept and how the T-shirt water gets to the roots with the plastic lid on top holding all of the soil there. I'm trying to visualize it but I'm having a hard time.
I've spent a day watching How to videos on self watering planters and this is by far the best! Overall the less expensive, to build and maintain. Intelligent presentation! Thanks for sharing this info!
I was thinking, this is the 1st video that doesn't explain the history of the world before forgetting to build the darn planter.
@@Pluscelamemechose 😉😘🤣🤣🤣
@@Pluscelamemechose Lol.
Same ~ love that the drain hole is also the fill hole!!! After trying to consider how to reduce the cost of making these, I had thought, ‘I’ll just use a funnel in the hole, to fill it, after adding an inverted mesh screen to reduce mosquitoes.’
… when first watching other videos.
This is probably the smartest way to store your plants and the best way to water plants. Good Effort 👍
Love that you pointed out the fact that water always seeks it’s own level, it’s the number one proof of out non rotating flat stationary Beautiful Earth😍.
I wish you had more videos . You have to put the word gardening in them for them to come up in searches. You are a great teacher :)
Beautiful system. Thank you for showing your mistakes! I'm a new gardener and it's helpful to see experienced gardeners still make them as well. :)
This is a lifesaver video. I have been worrying about how to garden on a patio and where the water is gonna go. I got back issues so bending and stuff is a no-go. This planter wick system can easily be adapted to an indoor tabletop, benchtop, and the fear of "Oh s***! forgot to water is done as well. BRILLIANT! BTW That trimmed lid could be re-purposed into a transparent shade for low plants with a sheet of plastic across it and a few holes on the edge of a side and an edge of the planter. zip ties for hinges and voila. THANK YOU!
I watched another ladies video that used totes. She didn't have this wicking system.
But she did set a lot of her totes in old chairs which made them high and easier to work with. I think that was a good idea I'm gonna try. I have extra deck chairs that I can't afford to buy new cushions for. So instead of just leaving them stacked by the shed, I'm going to sit them out and set my totes in them and tell to do a few of these container gardens this year.
Id for a old plastic, kids arse swimming pool. Id planned to put it on top of my well top and use it for a container garden.
I've got to get a move on! But we are supposed to have a freeze here late Sun nite into early Monday morning. Maybe in the 20's!!
LOVE that, we have made starwberry beds from old broken water butts, I love a bit of upcycling.
You also could cut 1/2" slits in your recessed lids...like
1/2" wide slit....4-5" long....
Put an old piece of tee shirt or old table cloth strip, or old sheet strip through that 4" long open area and down into the water reservoir. Then lay the length of fabric across that 1/2 way up false floor u have created,
And have the fabric lay flat on the false floor....the fabric will wick the water up into that lovely potting soil u created and ur soil can receive moisture that way, also......I love ur home made potting mix.💖💖💖
What a great idea this watering set up is....it rocks
Thanks very much, you really help. About a month ago a neighbor came by with news she and her husband were moving to Michigan, and she wanted to know If I would take her container garden? I'm in covid isolation, so a new project sounded good. So I began watching RUclips videos on wicking (I'm in Arizona, so this is a really good idea!). Yours was the first video I watched, and I was really pleased with your design and presentation. In the last month (during our heat wave), I've watched a zillion others. Now as I'm getting ready to plant a fall crop, I've got to set up another container. I'm back here, getting my instructions. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Thanks for sharing the video on a wicking bed. I wondered why container plants have so many problems. I am planning on growing plants on top of my worm beds and trying to figure out if I need the wicking action indoors. I am thinking the worms will help aerate everything and they may not be needed. I grow microgreens and baby greens in trays with worms and it works great. It solves all my mold problems and the microgreens grow like crazy. I also never have to change my soil. I have trays I have planted 30 times. Worms in microgreen trays is the missing puzzle piece. I am going to try to do the same with my worm bins. Anyway, thanks for sharing, it was helpful.
Thank you for this demo…with the drought here in California, our well is lower than usual, and this is just the ticket for summer crops! We even plan on expanding to more beds next year. Much thanks for your information!
I wondered if peep still said drought since water shortage intentional…California Insider channel has covered it well
The oldest video I've found on this topic. So interesting to see the evolution of this simple idea. I'll be using larger containers grouped together, then I'll wrap them as a group, with UV blocking thermal cloth to help the containers last longer.
Very good video. We should planting a lot of vegetables now days. Keep up the good work
This is by far the best video I have watched on self watering! You explained everything very well! Thank you and I subscribed!
Agree!
Great idea- simple to follow and do- will do! Keep posting your growing tomatoes and verges !
What a great idea for proper watering. I have never seen this process.
Here's a thought for how to use those lid remnants: as others have said, they can reinforce the top edge, but they can do double duty by clamping down some landscaping fabric. Cut an "X" for your herbs/veggies to grow through, and never worry about weeds taking root again.Call it "cheater mulch," but it sure does work.
More explanation pls
@@lesleymasumoto808 You can buy landscaping fabric at any big box store. It keeps weeds out but lets water and nutrients through and usually comes on a roll. Cut it a little larger than the bed and push landscape staples into the mat and soil to clamp it down around edges of bed at soil level. Then wherever you want to plant, cut an X into fabric, folding the cut parts back to make space to plant. After planting, fold cut fabric back flat so it surrounds plant. This is a great use for ‘weed mat’ as I call it, but I don’t like using it in landscaped areas or gardens, because it takes a long time to bio-degrade, and keeps out nutritious twigs, leaves and the like from breaking down and enriching the soil. I use cardboard under mulch around my landscaping plants, as it greatly discourages weeds for 6 months- a year, and breaks down and enriches the soil, as does the mulch. 🤓
@@deborahahonen6949 excellent idea! I was about to suggest the same thing with the rims of the lids. I also hate weeding my garden beds lol. They actually make a red plastic film that's used as a mulch specifically designed for tomatoes. The red is supposed to help reflect the light onto the plants to encourage them to ripen whilst holding the moisture in the soil preventing evaporation and blocking weeds. I've seen it advertised in a few gardening magazines. I have never used it before so don't know how well it actually works. Might have to try it out and see!
I'd love to see pictures/video of this bed throughout it's growth stages.
You'd be able to make containers out of scrap wood or pallets too.Many alternative materials could be used in the construction of the bins, etc.I too loved this presentation.Thanks.
Excellent explainer video, Jesse. You did a fine job of conveying the important primary concepts, while also filling in the gaps with a lot of quality secondary detail. I learned a lot from this video and will likely use this same approach, next spring, in the construction of my balcony kitchen herb garden. Thank you very much.
Thank you for sharing this. You should continue your videos. Very informative. 🌱
I've watched several, and I liked yours the best, c'est le meilleur le votre, merci beaucoup M. Lemieux!
If you haven't found a use for your lids, you can add tulle and use the lid to protect from critters
Very clever, thx.
Did you get that from Robbie and Gary? That was a brilliant idea wasn’t it?
Do what?
That’s what I do
Brilliant idea!
I follow this method and made one wBed for my basil & mint cutting. I realised soil is too over moist whole day long. I think the base 2 bottles of soil need to be a much smaller size so absorption is slower. U have to adjust & modify to diff plant needs. So far, this is the best wBed diy u seen. Thanks,
Well done....easy to follow and no frills and fancies.
After looking through many videos on the subject I was lucky enough to find this one that's clear and easy to understand the process, thanks for sharing. One thing I'd not is that when you put the pots in the bottom they are I guess tight and fit pretty perfect but if they did not you'd run the risk of soil dumping into the water plenum if the pot shifted off the hold you cut in the plastic barrier. I would make sure the pots were a tight fit or if not they were attached or shimmed in some way that you'd not have any movement.
We’ve tested this method for many months now
Kudos! This is great
So appropriate for Southern California which is so dry
Works great
This is genius
Thanks Jesse !
Great video Jesse, you have a lot of good ideas so I subscribed. Been looking at different ideas for these wicking tubes. One I think will help your viewers is make extra hole in the barrier plastic that cover pots in bottom. Install a length of PVC pipe cut at an angle at one end. Cut piece long enough to reach bottom of tub, angle end down. Other end comes up couple inches above top rim. Secure to side of tub drilling two small holes and secure with a zip tie. Now you have an easier to fill water reservoir and a way to monitor water level, slip a stick or something down PVC pipe you will know where water level is, or get creative and put fishing bobber in pipe with flag attached and see when time to add water. Cap top of pipe to keep critters out. Hope this helps your viewers. Th
I served in the Army with a Scott Smith in the early ‘80s ;)
@@ScottHz not me. Have never been in the service.
Hell I ended up going on your description on your page and you guys got going on about plants then I hit the page to get some more good 👍information and ended up getting 2 different pages showing how to get over each other and how to do co-parenting wow 👏🙃😅
great video! i have been building these myself...what about the 2 wicking pots drainage holes? wont they leak soil in the reservoir? i thought u were going to line them with netting? any different styles u use now? considering this was 2013..
thanks again
bk
Great tutorial, I'm a newbie container gardener and this was really well explained.
Thanks Jesse...gr8 tutorial, I finally got it. This I can DEFINATELY use! I have very limited planting space and will be using lots of containers to maximize on my available space.
Howd it go??
This is a bit off-topic question. But the PVC pipe containers in the background intrigues me. Do you have a video on it? If not, what material is the black container made of? Thanks! Really loved this.
Good stuff..... Bought 6 of these containers at Home Depot and filled it to the top with soil and planted my potatoes. So no room for a water table unless I make a small chamber at the bottom (3 inches??). But, im giving this a try as I need to water every day and worry I miss... Cool idea for sure... My next harvest!!!!
I can tell you are a teacher. Great job! I learned so much watching this video. I have subscribed and will watch more of your videos. I cannot wait to try this.
This is a wonderful idea!! I live in Arizona and my pots dry out quick, and I have to water every day. So this will help me tremendously!! thank you so much!!
Good advice. How about taking that fabric and covering the entire platform so the soil doesn’t go into the reservoir? It may be expensive at first but it can probably be reused the next year. Btw, I use acrylic yarn wicks for my indoor African violets water system-which drink water from a cutoff pop bottle. The potted plant has a good potting mix with the yarn. The yarn travels from close to the top of the soil to the bottom of the bottle reservoir. The yarn drinks up water and weak solution of fertilizer. The roots actually grow toward the yarn and grow onto the wet wick all the way into the pop bottle. 0:03 This system is a self watering fix for fussy African violets (leaves shouldn’t be wet) and believe it or not the plant gets stiff (engorged with water) from its constant ability to suck up water and bloom so profusely, too.
Your garden is very beautiful. I am also passionate about gardening and have your similar products.
this is the simplest design I have found. thank
Wow, I loved learning from you today about the wicking planters. I am just starting out with raised beds this year. My husband built us 3 beds 3x8x2.5. The soil is great. We are mixing it ourself as I learned in the gardening class I took called Kitchen Garden Academy. I think I will definitely try one or two bins with tomatoes and one with squash, or watermelon. Depends on the one I read needs water like the tomatoes. I will have drip set ups in my 3 planters and I can extend it into the bins but I do want to try that way. I look forward to seeing more of your videos. I’m in Southern Maryland so we don’t get heat as long as you do .
You are smart than I do. Thank you for telling us that you have been doing well.
Thank you for sharing the video. I am a new gardener and would like to see different types of manners to start with my backyard gardening
Cool video. I've never heard the thing about red surfaces being good for tomato ripening? I am very curious as to why and here did that come from?
Thank you. This is almost all the information anyone needs to grow food without access to land, about as well as it can be done.
The homemade shade for the small baby plants is genius too!
How do i make one of thosr?
This is awesome. I’ve never seen this before. I’m definitely going to try this
I love how things are being recycled. I'm planning on using this very soon. Thank you
Interesting video and great ideas. Interesting with effectively a solid layer between water and soil using the plastic lid I hadn’t seen that before. I’m not sure why you either bother to stuff the holes on the edge of the lid but left the wicking point with holes to the water point. Or perhaps you forgot to show this? I’m referring to the draining holes in the pots, I would think you need a geo material between the water and wicking dirt so the reservoir doesn’t fill with the dirt.
be sure to check your balcony can take all the weight of water and soil.
Love your videos, I have a small space , been wanting to try wicking containers. Thank you for sharing.
Nice Opinel knife you used for cutting the lid. They sharpen up like razors, and are as cheap as chips!
Please show us about the planting pot along the balcony ( PVC pipe). How to make & using it. Thanks.
Although you plugged up the small gaps with burlap but then the 2 holes that lead to 1 gallon containers are full of soil that could fall out into the water reservoir area, which is what you were trying to avoid with the burlap. Is that right?
Very nice detailed video. I can’t wait to build my own.
oh my god! i love your honesty! i love this video! im so happy to see that you made a mistake and showed us. i learned more by paying attention to your mistake as if it was my own mistake and i would enter a situation of enhanced attention. im subscribing now because of your honest mistake!
Thank you. Would you be able to repost The Tanyapractice link? The link in your comments for your preferred method does not work. Thanks
1st video where I hear an American using metric and imperial measurements. Thanks for the great video
Sounds Canadian. The “a-boat” is a dead giveaway. : )
The holes in the wicking columns/pots are quite large I would use some shade cloth or geotextle cloth to stop the wicking material going into the water, otherwise a good video.
Thank you for sharing your video. Great instructions and well made. Keep up the good work.
I’ve seen many types, I like your set up and explanation. 👍🏽
Great Video. You can use the "rim" from the top: Just leave it on to reinforce the edge: over time, the edge is what cracks first. :)
On the East Coast, we have problems with Gipsy Moth Caterpillars. They eat all the leaves. For my herbs and salad greens. I would stretch a piece of netting on top, and then tightly secure the edges with the lid. That will allow rain and sunshine, but keep the bugs away.🙂
Thanks for sharing a great video. How many tomatoes or cucumbers can you plant in a container that size?
I liked this, Jesse. Can you use dryer sheets instead of landscape fabric to cover gaps. Would water get too “hot” in a place like Phoenix AZ?
Thank you Mr Jessie❤
Great and very technique.
I am looking for this method for many years ago.
Again. I appreciated to you 👏👍🌹🍺💐
Can’t wait to start mine this spring. I heard check the BPA and 5 is ok to use
Similar to “Earth Box” sold in garden stores. Done this several times works great
I’ve seen other container but I love your water wicking by far the best
Thank you for taking your time to explain this process. I will be making two boxes this season.
Can u do a vid on making those soil blocks to start your seeds?
Yes
Could you?
first time viewer.
you rock.
save the lid for securing bug/shade/frost covers.
zip ties.
I like that idea. Ive been using sheet plastic as the bins i got most didnt have lids.
Seems like a lot of work. I just make holes 2-3 inches from the bottom of my totes sitting on chairs, catch over flow with a bucket to use to water other pots or place potted plants to catch the over flow.
I watched a few wicking technichs and I think you method is best.
Great system Jesse. Thank you for sharing.
Could there be a problem with using the plastic? BPA free?
I had watched another video of a lady doing container gardens and the lady said to make sure the container had a 5 in the triangle on the bottom.
Consider my working with urban gardeners who may not have access to items, In place of Peat & Vermiculite as your wicks, what alternatives are there? Can you use rough woodchips? Woodships mixed with sand? Advantages/disadvantages? Thanks.
Would you mind to explain the soil squares and what they where sitting in
Yes
Hi! Your Blog Link tanyaspracticeblog.com does not work - do you have the link to show your fav design please? Thanks
Use the lids to keep weed barrier or a plastic cover in place, just cut out holes where you put plants. It acts as a pest and weed blocker as well as reduces evaporation.
That's how I do mine too
Robert Millard just to clarify are you saying use extra lids for this or use the original lid with the container instead of how he uses it as a barrier between the water and soil ?
@@RestorationRanchHealing you use the original lid. it acts as a light blocker and sort of like a mulch. it keeps the sun from bleaching the soil and does a little to keep pests from intruding. The biggest issue you will see with this method is fungus gnats. They will kill saplings and sprouts unless they are established. Fungus gnats shouldn't live for long or appear if you are filling the containers from below the first 2 inches of soil anyways though.
Robert Millard thank you that makes sense.
Robert Millard I don’t quite understand the reason for the 5 pots if you only fill 2 of them with peat moss. Can you explain the concept ?
I’m so glad you showed the lid issue. Thank you.
Most helpful video I’ve watched yet! Thank you!
I love this video. I have a couple of questions please. I have a small patio and want to do this as my containers tend to dry out quickly in my very hot yard. But in the winter we also get a hard freeze and my containers would have to remain outdoors. So do you ever have a mold or fungus issue in the water reservoir? Does it have to be taken apart and cleaned every year? Also I would drain them for winter but have you had any experience with how they stand up to be frozen over winter if there is some water left in the bottom of the reservoir?
add 1 tbl hydrogen peroxide per gallon h20 for mold and fungus. it will kill good bacteria too so add beneficials a week or two later
snow hero 👍🏻
@@snowhero9 I'm newbro gardening... what do mean by beneficials? Also.. does this mean it would be safe to leave thebwater in the containers and use them the following year? I live in Maryland and the containers would have to sit all winter.
That's so awesome thank you for sharing I'm going to try this this year I could really use some help on my zucchini I don't have any luck
Hey Jesse great educational video. I'm interested in knowing about the black fabric pots behind you on the vid. Did you make those, what kind of fabric was used and where could I get it from.
Great video! Really shows me how to do it. I can't wait to see how mine work!
Linda - Toronto
Jesse, you mentioned in the notes that you had better success with a different wicking bed design. The link you provided does not work. Can you update the link to help us get to the other design video.
Thanks
I know a good use for the rings left from cutting the centers out. If you use bug nets you could the net down on the tub and then put the ring on
Your Link is not accurate so I couldn't watch the method you wrote is better than the one in this video. Is there another link?
going to have to do this, started several of them had some sucess but the heat in Tampa is bad, Do water them but they need constant watering
When we live in Florida I remember we defended our pots from two most sunny sides with wooded blocks and let the air flow between them, it helps a little.
Thank you for the video. My goodness a lot to learn, but good.
I have a Q? How often do you put water in the reservoir. Thank you !
HI Laura it really depends on the weather and growth of the plant. The whole point is the keep it topped up so the plants are never out of water, which would reduce production and yield. I will top them up once a day. The set up ensure that you never over water.
This was a great video, very informative. Thank you do much for taking your time to teach others. I have learned so much just on this one video must of all when I only do container planting since it is easier for me.
Could you tell me how you made the soil cubes and what kind of soil mix was used?
I think he is using this: www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/garden/planting/propagation/seed-starting/102302-soil-cube-and-block-molds-set
@@keewan7459 Thanks for the information. I actually have a soil block device, but could never get it to work well. The soil block soil mix is key, so I'm going to check out this guy's web site and see if he talks about it.
Nice job except it seems by putting soil in the corner cups some soil will go into the water reservoir which want to be only water. What size do the holes need to be at the bottom of cups and how far up should the holes be ?
This is an exceptional video and the best I've seen, and I have just a quick question -- everything else I have read says you need an air gap for root oxygenation - how could we work this into the system? Otherwise it seems that not a lot of air is getting to the roots. Thanks if you are still maintaining the Q&A on this classic video!
Just saw this video of yours. Very clever idea; just curious as to if people could do this with just empty pots then why do some people used those big black tubes with slots in them ? 🤷♀️ this looks so much easier and cheaper $.
Could you do a video using 5 gallon buckets instead of those containers thank you
Did the two tomatoes outgrow the container or were you able to keep them pruned so they could co-exist in there?