Self-Watering Sub-Irrigated Planter (SIP)
A tote or bucket planter with a hidden water reservoir and a wicking basket. Plants drink from below, so watering is weekly instead of daily.
Estimated cost
$30 – $50
Estimated time
45 – 60 minutes
Lifespan
5+ years
Soil needed
10–12 gallons of quality potting mix (not garden soil)
Weight empty
3–5 lbs
Weight full
80–120 lbs when watered
Best for
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, bush squash on patios and balconies
Placement
Full sun. Keep the fill tube accessible. Elevate slightly so the overflow hole can drain.
Boards to Buy
| Boards to Buy | Quantity | What You Use Them For |
|---|---|---|
| 18-gallon storage tote with lid | 1 | Planter body and reservoir |
| Small plastic nursery pot, 4–6 inch | 1 | Wicking basket |
| 1/2-inch PVC pipe, 12 inch | 1 | Fill tube |
| Plastic window screen or landscape fabric | 1 sq ft | Covers wicking basket holes |
- ·Quality potting mix
- ·Compost or slow-release fertilizer
- ·Drill with 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch bits
Steps
- 1Drill a 1/4-inch overflow hole in the side of the tote, 3 inches up from the bottom.
- 2Cut the tote lid to fit inside the tote, resting 4–5 inches above the bottom. This becomes the false floor.
- 3Cut a hole in the false floor for the wicking basket so it sits with its rim flush to the floor.
- 4Drill many 1/4-inch holes in the wicking basket and line it with window screen.
- 5Cut a small notch in the false floor for the fill tube, and a few small air holes around it.
- 6Set the false floor in the tote, insert the wicking basket, and run the fill tube to the bottom.
- 7Fill the wicking basket with moist potting mix and pack it firmly.
- 8Fill the rest of the tote with loose potting mix to within 2 inches of the rim.
- 9Plant your seedling and water from the top for the first week to establish roots.
- 10After that, fill the reservoir through the tube until water runs out the overflow hole.
Tools needed
- ·Drill
- ·Utility knife
- ·Permanent marker
- ·Scissors
Common mistakes to avoid
- ·Using garden soil instead of potting mix — it collapses the wicking air spaces
- ·No overflow hole — roots drown in a flooded reservoir
- ·Packing the soil too tight around the wicking basket
- ·Forgetting to refill the reservoir for more than a few days in peak summer
Maintenance tips
Refill the reservoir every 2–4 days in summer. Empty and scrub the reservoir at the end of each season.
Community builds
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