How to Make a Self-Watering Container for Peppers
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- I travel often and are unable to tend to my plants daily, so the best way for me to keep them happy with to put them inside self-water containers. There are many sites that will provide great information about this setup, but I thought I'd show you all how to make one while transplanting my plant. Please like, share and subscribe! Please also join my pepper community below.
My Indoor Setup: plus.google.co...
Pepper Community: plus.google.co...
A few observation from my experience: 1" PVC, vs. 3/4", is easier to pour water into. I also put the fill tube flush against the side of the bucket and tie it to the bucket with a zip tie through two holes at the top of the bucket.
Had great success with this method. I’ve tried buckets from different brands. Home Depot buckets let in light and had thick algae growing on the sides of the reservoir bucket. White buckets from ace, green from Menards, and blue from Lowe’s were all clean by the end of the season.
I have watched your videos for some time now, and you are an EXCELLENT instructor! I think many of the people who demonstrate/instruct on UA-cam should watch your videos and take some pointers as to how to teach. Your instructions are always clear and methodical; you give reasons why or why not to do something. I really appreciate your videos!
💯
I know this video is a few years old, but I thought I’d share my experiences. Some years back I made a bunch of these out of buckets and also large plastic totes. I would suggest using potting mix instead of soil because it wicks so much better or add some amendments to improve water retention. Also, as another commentator stated cut the fill pipes at a 45 degree angle at the bottom. I believe there needs to be a small air gap between the top of the water and the bottom of the top bucket so plants can get oxygen. The top bucket will settle out in the summer heat so that should be kept in mind when drilling the drain hole. Thanks for the video Khang.
Thank you, your advice is very helpful.
I wondered about the air gap too. What do you mean about the top bucket settling out and what to do about the holes based on that?
Thanks for the tutorial. This is the best demo on how to make a self-watering bucket that I have seen so far on UA-cam.
I have to agree. I appreciate the information given by all the other demonstrators but this is tops.
Absolutely. I ve watched other channels and was never really clear about how to keep the soil out of the water reservoir. TWO buckets one inside the other- now it finally makes sense! Thanks.
As a civil engineering water management student, I fell in love with this system and now I am even more excited towards my first pepper season 2018
How was your first season
After all these years, I still come back and share this video!!
OMG - you explained that so clearly and effortlessly, plus you're the only one (so) far that I've seen actually plant & WATER the entire tutorial. Thanks for showing the entire process. (and voice is so soothing : ) Makes me think gardening is indeed zenful after a long day : )
I agree Katherine I have watched many videos on this subject but this one is the best so far
It's a great system Khang. I'm glad you showed us step by step how you make it. Thanks!
Rob Langholff Thanks for stopping by, Rob!
this has become my favourite UA-cam channel for my pepper questions. thanks, man!
Thank you! Great video! This is the solution I needed for keeping my plants alive when I’m away!
I like that 'reverse first' trick. Thank you.
I am very happy because your explanation are very clear ... like water! Thanks!
Sir, I have watched multiple DIY for self-watering containers and your directions are by far the best from start to finish. Awesome job! Thank you!
Last year we had 40 self watering bucket planters much like yours. We had bumper crops of tomatoes, zuchinni squash (trained up large tomato cages), eggplant, okra, sweet peas, and chili peppers (jalepeno, habenero, and one ghost chili. We set up planters of marigolds, citrinella, and crysanthimums (sp on all those?) for natural insect repellent. This stuff works wonderfully!
+Phil Alfred Very nice! You grow alot of nice varieties.
I’m finally gonna try this method. I had invested so much in the fabric pots that I was reluctant to switch
Great set up and awesome video. I see more and more people using SIP containers✌🏼
Best channel on UA-cam for growing.
Excellent video. You did a super great job of explaining everything, thank you.
Too funny, after watching your last video I was wondering how to make these. I spent 2 hours searching the web last night. I must say, your instructions were much easier to follow. Great vid!
BackTo Basics Thank you!
BackTo BasicsGo to www.globalbuckets.org/ for good information on several different versions of global bucket. I build the version that only uses one bucket and the lid and they work well. Khang is using the double bucket version also detailed on the web site. Hope this helps.
In the USA, Lowe's Home Center stores sell white Food Safe 5 gallon buckets for only $1 more.
The orange Home Depot buckets and blue Lowe's buckets are NOT food safe!
To keep mosquitoes out of the overflow hole, I like to hot glue some weed barrier fabric on the inside behind the hole.
Instead of using a spade bit, a small hole saw will cut a much neater hole for the filler pipe.
Extra pointers:
Watch where you place the filler pipe, be sure it is on the OPPOSITE side of where the handle will be when you lift up the bucket. (My first ones had that error!)
Seal the hole around the filler tube with silicone or hot glue to prevent the soil from getting down into the water reservoir.
Put landscape fabric over the little drainage holes to prevent soil from getting down into the water reservoir.
Terry Thomas
Brookhaven Gardens
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which all home depot, lowes, menards, and walmart 5 gallon buckets are made from, is a food safe plastic, regardless of if they advertise as such or not. If they were made of Polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE), then I would have to agree with you about it not being food safe. Simply put, if it has a recycle #2 or states HDPE on it, it s food safe.
HDPE made buckets are food safe your misinformed .
Good to know about the buckets, I will replace mine for the white ones. Thanks.
Why landscape fabric? I mean just splurge on the $0.29 3/4" pvc end cap and take it on and off to fill it. Heck spend another $0.50 and you can get the screw on fitting and a screw in end cap.
I would think it's worth it if you are going to grow in these buckets year after year. Do it right once. Or fix it every year right?
What about soil getting into the reservoir via the net cup? Do you cover that in landscape fabric as well?
This was the best explained video I’ve watched on building a self watering container.. Thanks!!
Good to have some low maintenance options for going away and travelling.
Thanks so much for this. I’ve been working on them. My findings- a 2 7/8 hole saw would be awesome for this. A 1” hole saw for 3/4 ID pipe makes a really snug fit. Takes roughly one large bag of potting soil for two systems.
This is my first time at this and I really need to not worry about overhead watering and just let it do it’s thing.
Wow! What a brilliant and simple idea. I love it Thank you for showing me this. I will definitely be using this idea. One thing, if I cut the lower end of the fill pipe at about 45 degrees so that only a small portion of the pipe touches the base of the outer bucket, it will allow the water to flow more easily into the reservoir area. I worry that a flat end may block up the bottom a little bit. AND the best idea was to label the plants because I have a memory like a sieve. Thanks again and keep on setting out new ideas on you tube.
+Franklin Anders Yes, cutting the pipe at an angle is a better idea. I didn't have any tools so I left it as is. With the soil packed in, I can actually lift the pipe a little and it will be suspended.
+Khang Starr I just cut a notch out, i.e. cut half way through the pipe diameter about an inch from the end, then cut up to that from the end taking a piece of the pipe out. Hope that makes sense.
Just drill 2 or 3 holes all the way through the sides of the filler pipe.
I watch the videos you have a great way of explaining. And a nice voice. Thank you for teaching.
Very nice video. Simple, well structured, and informative.
I am going to apply this technique to my pepper growing trials this spring! I really enjoy your videos and your creativity! Keep up the great videos 👍
I like this. Very nice. I now have a new project to work on. And I like the fact it is not a one and done deal. they can be cleaned and reused over and over. I hate throwing stuff in landfills if I don't need to.
Khang, this was a really excellent, step by step video. You explained everything clearly and well and it made me see how easy it was to start plants of my own and not have to worry about watering them all the time. I have watched many of your videos and really have learned a lot from them. Thank you very much!
Всем привет✋👋
Отличная идея. 🤔😀Мне нравится!👍Будет очень интересно попробовать так же вырастить. Есть клон шоколадного 7pod congo. Для него такой горшок сделаю. Спасибо. 🤝
You are the UA-cam MacDaddy.... you rock brother. Thank you very much.
My favourite setup for uneven surfaces.
Best video on self watering bucket I have seen. Thank you
Did this last year..it works! I will only do this everytime..its genius..Mcguyver Gardening
This is awesome! I've found and started watching your pepper growing vids a few days ago but hadn't seen your face until this one. I instinctively smiled really big at the screen and waved while saying hiiiiiiii! Thanks so much for uploading all these vids, I'm brand new to gardening and have two serrano plants I'm growing indoors, you've been very helpful with learning how I'm going to care for them as they get bigger!
This was a wonderful explanation throughout the entire video! Thank you for providing this! Much love
A very nice double-bucket system! I would use this if I ever get a yard or a balcony. For now, I'll just be envious that you get to do those outside!
2nd Chance Garden Thanks! These buckets are really neat. I haven't watered them since they were transplanted. The plants are growing like crazy, update will come shortly =)
best pepper channel with so much advice on YT. Thanks. Keepin it #GangSta
hey khang thanks man , well I guess I will be using gravel stone instead of clay stone pebbles for net pot filler with the rockwool so we will see how that works
+Raw LawGirl Hi There, sorry I cannot reply to your comment. Please check your settings.
Thank you so much! I am going to try this today!!!! We made 2 and are ready to make more! You had the best video I have seen to make it such a fun project! Thanks Khang Starr!!!
Thanks so much for sharing such valuable information, especially for a beginner like me. I especially appreciated, and was able to benefit from, you patient, detailed explanation of each step. God Bless . . .
You can use this for tomato plants, too. One thing to remember about pepper and tomato plants is they will grow roots from the main stems so as the plant gets taller, add more of your soil to the bucket. (Be sure to trim off leaves and small side branches.) Once pepper main stems turn brown "woody" you can't do that any more because the wood will rot.
By the end of the season the bucket will be full of soil and roots, too.
Terry Thomas
Brookhaven Gardens
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
Thanks. I was wondering why he started so low in the bucket. That makes a lot of sense.
You can actually place the PVC pipe on the opposing side as the net cup and grow the tomato plant sideways and then up the PVC using the PVC as a support
Instructions are very clear.
Great method. I like that the overflow doesn't include soil. I've seen systems that do, and that just washes away fertilizer.
How do you fertilize using this method?
@@Dungaalejandro I use Miracle-Gro water soluble fertilizer and just pour it directly into the soil about once every several weeks.
@@guaromiami thanks a bunch
Best video on how to make these
Great explanations. Step by step by step. Thank you.
Tks for sharing this method with us
You channel looks great. I'm definitely going to check out all your pepper vids, and I'm recently thinking about some simple hydro methods, so it looks perfect for that.
I just used a craft knife and cut on the same line I traced. A soldering iron works great too.
All those red buckets with white pipes sticking up look like cocktail drinks... although they'd be very hot ones!
Number Eight the buckets are orange. Get yer eyes checked.
@@sparkyjones560 Maybe he's colorblind? Don't be a jerk.
I tried this method last year, summer 2021 and had the best luck with it. This year I plan to add more variety rather than just tomato plants. Seems that tomato plants have not liked being planted in my garden for the past few years. 🍅🍅🍅
That design has a major flaw: the holes on the false bottom will let the soil inside the reservoir. You must isolate that false bottom with weed cloth or burlap. Also if you put expanded clay pebbles instead of of dirt in that cup you will not mud the reservoir.
Interesting. I have no experience with the clay pebbles. Are they as absorbent/wicking as peat moss or coir? That's what I've been thinking of using.
As someone who has used this method for years since learning it from Khang, that's simply not true. The holes in the inner bucket are too small to let potting soil through. Maybe a tiny bit makes it through upon planting, but it's negligible. After that, it's a non issue. Also, as he says in the video, the point of these holes is for the pepper roots to grow through into the reservoir, adding another watering mechanism beyond the net cup. If you placed weed cloth or burlap over them it would mostly defeat the purpose. As for the clay pebbles in the net cup, that would probably work as well in terms of wicking, but again, packed soil in the net cup isn't going to cause any issues.
This is just a great help.. I watched several others and this made every step clear... Thanks!
The best explanation I got. Thank very much.
Love your videos. I have learned so much from you. Hope you keep them coming. This one was awesome.
Khang, I don't use a two bucket self watering system. I made several and use a one bucket self watering system, which saves me money and can get two self watering system containers for the same price of your two bucket one container system. What I do is, I measure the inside diameter of the bucket at the height of my net cup and cut the lid down to size to fit inside of the bucket, and now the lid becomes the bottom just above the reservoir. I also cut and use roughly six tabs about two inches long from the outer edge of the lid that I glue to the inside of the bucket for to support the weight of the soil on the new bottom while the net cup supports the weight in the middle. I make my own net cups from flexible 12 ft. corrugated drainage pipes, very inexpensive from Home Depot. I can make several cups in sizes of 3 to 4 inches. I then drill several holes into the sides of the drainage cups and then use the large disk of plastic that was from the lid where the net cup hole is and use that disk as the bottom of the drainage pipe net cup and I finally zip tie the lid to the newly modified net cup and place the 3/4 inch watering tube in place and I'm good to go. It's a waste of money to buy two buckets for just one plant.
Mostly a variety of fruits and veggies.
Frogman 10
It cost $2.97 for a bucket and $1.49 for a lid, boy you are saving big time!!!
You could put it directly without washing the plant. It was unnecessary.
Hi Frogman 105... could you please show me or send me the picture of your finish product 1 bucket container via fb or messenger? my fb account is Marie D. Santos... Thank you...
Due to the multiple holes drilled in the bottom of the bucket the water will just run out every time you fill the standpipe. I hope you don't mind if I suggest a quick and easy design amendment. To save losing all that water and last longer between fills, don't put holes in the bottom of the bucket. Instead, when constructing the wicking bucket, only drill the overflow hole. Then place a container with holes at the top and bottom at the base of the container and ensure your standpipe feeds directly into the container. Then fill with soil. This design provides a water reservoir for your plants, and any excess water will still go out your overflow hole. This will save A LOT of water, reduce nutrient loss and enable a longer time between refills.
I don't understand you description.. Is it anaerobic though? Can the roots get air?
Great job explaining the entire process! Thanks so much.
I built a couple of these for my first garden here in Louisiana got some pepper plants in it wish me luck
Good luck!🤞
Tell us how the system worked for U -
I don’t have any intention of making this but I like the way you talk. haha
Great video, I’ve been doing my research and I’m about to plant my peppers using this video. Thank you!
You are so meticulous :) thanks for sharing !!
thank you for the step by step demo. I will try it
Hello from Greece :) very nice video , it gave me plenty of ideas . One suggestion ... you can add a cut bottle for blended/mixed nurisment/leftovers (fruits-vegetables etc) from your kitchen at the opposite side of the 3/4 tube . Im sure you have already thought it though :)
I'm thinking of trying new versions of the self-wicking pots. Mainly double bucket method. However, I used hydro nutrients last time and the plants grew so fast. Somehow soil / hydro. I'm thinking of expanding that concept and making the wick hang in a larger bottom reservoir that self-fills with a float valve.
Wick would be either a soil netcup hanging in the solution as usual or an actual thick fabric wick which separates into smaller ropes inside the soil to reach more areas of the bucket including higher up where the roots are in the beginning. I will also add an air stone to the reservoir on the bottom which I will pump air into once the roots reach the reservoir (a couple of months in). So really DWC / soil.
My only fear is that the wick of soil would also be wet if I install a float valve to automatically refill. The wick might also just be vermiculite / perlite in a paint net in a netcup. Not sure yet. Constant moisture at the bottom of the pot would mean it would never fully dey out. Do you think that would be ok? Or would it need to dry out every now and then for peppers ?
Update? I'd love to hear how your experiments went.
Khang Starr, I would prefer two bucket system like yours because it would give insulation and warmth to the soil. But I prefer to see the water level hence the water pipe is outside the bucket where you can actually see the water level. If one has to move the bucket in shelter then no water dripping from overflow. I hope this makes sense to you all what I mean...
This was great. Gonna add some timers to it and jack it up. Thank you
Great instructional video! Thank you!
Thanks for the video, cool inexpensive planter - A word to others who will make them, Walmart has the 5 gallon buckets for about a dollar or two cheaper than Home Depot But... Walmart's buckets when put together the space left at the bottom for the reservoir is too shallow for a 3" netcup, you can easily use multiple two inch netcups (1 - 2 or 3) with Walmart's buckets. Homey D's buckets give space for a 3 inch netcup
Thanks again for ALL your videos Khang Starr, been trying to view them all ..... we PepperHeads got to stick together :-)
Larry W Thanks for the info Larry! And thanks for watching.
He can explain good nice young one keep up the good work.
The PVC pipe that is on the bottom of your inner bucket, cut at an angle so water will fill easily or you might have a problem.
And your netting cup, wrap with some landscape fabric so dirt doesn’t go into other bucket.
It works! One question, how do I feed the tomatoes their nutrient solution? Do I put it inside the bottom reservoir or just water on top?
In the bottom, these can get too wet if you pour water on top. All depends how hot and dry the weather is.
Super cool idea!
Good detailed instructions Khang. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Patrick Meehan Thanks, Patrick!
This is a lot like a Earth Grow box, Except your using Hydroponic nutrients instead of just water. I think I will try some nutrients in my Earth Grow boxes to boost my plants growth.
I will just use like half of what is recommended for nutrients. I use Pro Mix potting soil. It has a lot of pearl lite & and Micorrhizea in it to promote good root growth. Thank you for your video, Very Well done.
going to be my first garden this season I'm learning a lot from you tks
very nice job on explaining..looking forward to my bucket garden..:)
Nice, pretty solid method there but you forgot one small detail bro... A couple of stones around that wincker cup, so the soil won't get to deep into the water container through irrigation.
Thanks. Simple an didactic. Good job. Congrats.
This is working so well....thank you
Excellent, I understood everything, than you very much....cheers
Thank you for sharing! Excelente tutorial.
Loving the video Khang. I'm thinking about do my buckets now. Great idea!!!
Torre Williams Thanks, Torre!
I love your videos. Always simple, informative and easier to understand. I think I'm going to try to make one of these this season but I have a question: Since the pepper plant is located quite a distance from the top of the bucket, wouldn't it suffer from lack of sunlight? Thanks in advance.
Thank you. Love These videos. Learning alot. Have more to watch.
If that bucket is translucent, as you pointed out, algae will grow in the water. Might want to paint that.
Классный ролик!
Это то, что я искала!
Но я положила бы ткань на отверстия на дне, чтобы они не забились ...👏👍🙏🏻
I just hope they grow fast enough to get a good harvest this season ,their only a week old now !!!
nice video, but if i do this i might need to use small net on the pipe and overflow to avoid mosquito larvae.
***** That's a good idea to prevent mosquitoes.
My question is why did you fill the bucket only halfway full?
Just a tip for you, I cut the rim off the top of the bucket and slipped it between the bottom and top bucket, making more room in the res.
+Keith Collura That's a great idea. What did you use to cut the top off?
+Khang Starr I used a sawzall, but if you don't have one a hacksaw would work fine. I figured that plastic wasn't being used up there so why not.
Just make sure you don't cut too close to the wire handle.
Thanks again for your videos!
Jig saw works great too.
Best part about this tip, is that it helps to prevent bucket vacuum lock, when separating buckets, by giving limiting side contact. Excellent! This was one of my main complaints with the 2 bucket vs 1-bucket system. Thanx.
Khang; I just moved two of my plants from their Solo cup to a homer bucket just like described. I wet it down, then filled the PVC with water until it came out the hole in the bottom bucket. It's only been a few hours and one of the plants have wilted really bad. Should I have mixed the soil with perlite on this application as well? For now, I've moved it back indoors until it starts to perk up, then acclimatize it back to the outside.
Nick Sebring It's probably wilted due to extreme changes in conditions. Before moving your plants outdoor, many people do the "hardening" process. What you do is expose the plants to outdoor temperature for 30 minutes the first time, then an hour, then move on up. This way the plant can be used to the change before moving them completely outside.
They've all been through the Hardening process. It's just dang hot out there. I think I panicked like a little girl instead of just moving them inside which I eventually did. I just checked on them. They've perked back up! Maybe a little more time with the hardening process. You have been most helpful! I can't wait to show them off once they've started to produce some fruits. Following your lead, I will repost in two weeks with an update.
Wow, phenomenal job! 👍🏼
K ANDERSON Thanks, Kyle!
New subscriber ! Loved all the details. I need that. TY
You can also use absorbent rope or ribbon to help wick the water up
Nice.
Water with hydroponic solution to bring this to the next level
Hi! Starr! Your video presentation is brilliant. It's clear and easy to understand. I will do the same as per your instruction. Hope it work, but I maybe just use the plain water, hope it will work. I don't know whether you use any fertilizer in this water or NOT. If you have any idea in this comment, please let me know.
I am in Asian and the whether is hot, but I wanted to plant it indoor by using this self watering system.
+Sok Savuth For this setup, you will just use plain water and soil based fertilizer. During bloom, you can use some hydroponic fertilizer, like Flora Bloom and Cal/Mag. That's what I do every season.
Thanks
+Khang Starr if you did a similar set up indoors (maybe on a smaller scale), I'm assuming you would need to use hydroponic fertilizer as you wouldn't be getting any rain to wash through soil fertilizer / compost / manure and the plant wouldn't get any nutrients from the soil, right?
Yes, I use hydro nutrients. Here's a video on that ua-cam.com/video/GEVch6QQxGU/v-deo.html