Self-Watering Buckets forum: eBucket Construction Zone!
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| Learn all about constructing self-watering eBuckets, and how to growing veggies and plants in them! Linda |
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This design was worked on by Molamola (Coconut), Gessieviolet, and me.  It is the best wicking system I've dealt with, and the plants love it! They take in all the water they need -- no over- or underwatering, ever! The schematic below is mine. Here's the link to Gessieviolet's more concise instructions. http://mckarion.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/frugal-gardner-self... If you have any questions, just ask away!  Linda
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| I can't find colanders, yet, so I am trying an upside down plastic pot. Seems to be OK. More water, but the basil I have in the one bucket drinks about a gallon a day, wowee. And for smilies, I think you click one, them must hit the space bar once. Lemme see, no space bar  And with space bar  Melissa owell. Melissa |
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| I, too, am wondering about a cheap source for colanders. If I can't do it cheap, then I can't do it at all on a tight budget. ;-( Another Day in Paradise! |
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| Becky, folks have found them at Dollar stores, and other cheapcheap stores. Melissa |
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| Thanks, Melissa! I will check it out! :-) Another Day in Paradise! |
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| I haven't looked at our Dollar Tree store but if they have them, they will be one dollar. Talk with people around the world. Visit Carpe diem and seize the day! Also, Jigsaw Puzzles, Excel forum and tutorials. |
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| I looked at Dollar Tree.com and there were none there. I'll check Dollar General and Family Dollar today. I collect colanders and am so glad I haven't tossed those plastic ones. We plant tomatoes here in 3 weeks.  May the Warm Winds of Heaven Blow softly upon your house. May the Great Spirit Bless all who enter there. May your Moccasins Make Happy Tracks in many snows, and may the Rainbow Always touch your shoulder. Cherokee Prayer Blessing |
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The instructions look easy, I'm not sure yet, but I think I'm going to give this a try. Being "stuck" inside because of our weather I starting to get around on this site pretty well, and am now full of new thoughts about gardening, and how I want to do things. I've always hated throwing away the pails that kitty litter comes in, and now I have a reason not to wast them. Many thanks Linda.  "we don't pay taxes, only little people pay taxes" Leona Helmsley |
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One last thought, would this (the bucket gardening) qualify as bog gardening? Maybe a silly question, but it seems so similar. I think it might be a way to plant a 2nd pitcher plant that I'd like to either start or buy.  "we don't pay taxes, only little people pay taxes" Leona Helmsley |
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| Jim, if you didn't drill a drain hole too low I think it's a bog bucket. You might however have just muck. May the Warm Winds of Heaven Blow softly upon your house. May the Great Spirit Bless all who enter there. May your Moccasins Make Happy Tracks in many snows, and may the Rainbow Always touch your shoulder. Cherokee Prayer Blessing |
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| Jim, if you have nothing else to do, here's a good educational background. -----------edit to say the link disappeared. Google Earth Box This bucket system has just been invented. The trick is an air space between the potting mix and the water. Totally unlike just a non draining bucket. Melissa Melissa |
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| Thanks for that clarification, Mola! |
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| What is the advantage of that air space? Providing more air to the root system of plants? Another Day in Paradise! |
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| Becky, The soil that's packed around the edges of the colander up to the overflow hole is constantly in contact with the water -- that's where the capillary, or wicking, action takes place. The plant draws up additional water through its roots as it wants to, thereby controlling that capillary action. The excess water runs out through the overflow hole. The watering control is through the wicking activity, which the plant controls! How cool is that? Think about the old kerosene lamps. As the flame burns off the kerosene that has soaked into the wick, more kerosene is drawn up, until the lamp needs refilling. Same principal with the water reservoir underneath the colander. Molamola, jump in any time, ok? |
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| OK! Roots need air to breathe. Huh?? pots have drain holes for a reason! Without the air space, the roots would drown. Melissa or coconut Melissa |
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| Melissa and LInda - I get the concept of the drain holes so the roots don't drown. What I meant was is there an "advantage" of having air space between the water and the soil? Unlike when plants are grown in the ground. No air pocket in the ground. Does that make sense what I am asking? Another Day in Paradise! |
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| We are expanding from what the Earth Box guy started. He sells these things hand over fist at $150 each. http://www.earthbox.com/consumer/instructions.php Your system seems to be quite good. Melissa |
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| Intriguing concept. How do you deal with the mosquito issue? I've had to give up all plant saucers and so-called 'self-watering' pots that hold water in the bottom. The blasted mosquitoes here will breed in any water anywhere they find it. I've had to put out pots of water with mosquito dunks just to attract them to where they'll die trying to breed. Alma In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. – Thomas Jefferson |
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| A bit of screen tied over the out spout does the trick. Melissa |
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