What an excellent video. No waffling, just straight into it. Presented in a friendly, clear, enthusiastic manner. Right then, without further ado, I’m off to get some supplies - to make my own!
Tip 2 - you must ensure all soil and capillary matting is wet at the start, if you attempt to sit dry pots on a dry mat then capillary action maybe impaired as it’s harder for water to spread and draw up than already wet material.
Tip - either insert a pvc pipe in the top (drill a circle rather than cut a ragged gap as many areas need to keep out mosquitoes from accessing still water so they don’t breed in it) so you can top up the water without having to lift the lid and all the plants that will be on it, or don’t have the water reservoir directly below the plants and capillary mat - many setups have them next to one another again for easy access to the reservoir to top it up etc.
Thanks for that Ian, that's a good price! Ideally I would like a black box with a clear strip to show the water level. Or maybe painting the outside of the box to leave a water level indicator could be the answer?
What a great idea. I've just been putting capillary matting on the bottom of an empty seed tray watering it, then placing filled seed trays or pots on top. The matting dries out really quickly. Off to Home Bargains now and I've subscribed. Thanks.
It does turn green with a clear box but you can prevent this by using a black or dark coloured box or by painting the outside of it to stop light getting in.
What an excellent video. No waffling, just straight into it. Presented in a friendly, clear, enthusiastic manner. Right then, without further ado, I’m off to get some supplies - to make my own!
Glad you liked it Anthony! All the best with making your own :-)
Tip 2 - you must ensure all soil and capillary matting is wet at the start, if you attempt to sit dry pots on a dry mat then capillary action maybe impaired as it’s harder for water to spread and draw up than already wet material.
Tip - either insert a pvc pipe in the top (drill a circle rather than cut a ragged gap as many areas need to keep out mosquitoes from accessing still water so they don’t breed in it) so you can top up the water without having to lift the lid and all the plants that will be on it, or don’t have the water reservoir directly below the plants and capillary mat - many setups have them next to one another again for easy access to the reservoir to top it up etc.
Watched yesterday and went out and bought boxes and capillary matting. I’m just cutting the matting out now. Sounds great. Thank you Alan
Great, hope you grow some lovely plants this year!
Will definitely be trying this. Thank you again Alan.
Brilliant! Let me know how you get on :-)
Alan - you're a lifesaver! Thank you!
Pound land do a 14l black box for £2, black stops the light turning the water green.
Thanks for that Ian, that's a good price! Ideally I would like a black box with a clear strip to show the water level. Or maybe painting the outside of the box to leave a water level indicator could be the answer?
great idea - thanks!
Great video Alan!
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it :-)
I bought a couple of these today in Sainsburys - 2 for £8.00! Thank for sharing the idea.
Bargain! Glad you liked the video :-)
What a great idea. I've just been putting capillary matting on the bottom of an empty seed tray watering it, then placing filled seed trays or pots on top. The matting dries out really quickly. Off to Home Bargains now and I've subscribed. Thanks.
All the best with growing your seedlings Vanessa!
Great idea!! Thanks!
You're welcome!
Very interesting!
Thanks for watching :-)
Love it, will add a few to our poly tunnel :)
Yeah! Hope you enjoy making and using them :-)
Great job
Thanks !
Fabulous demo, im looking at making one for 3m by 1m size. Loads of seed trays. Any thoughts obe wan kinobe!
Wow that is big!! So long as it's not too deep then it should work just as well as a smaller one. Good luck and let me know how it goes?!
❤😂 im going to use old water feature tub and lid its black and ready to go just need to buy matting many thanks! Better use for greenhouse!
Good idea!
Thanks!!
You’re welcome Jim.
Great video... What’s the make of your matting?
Thanks. I used B&Q's own brand.
Do you ever have problems with the water in the reservoir turning green, due to daylight - and air getting in through the watering hole?
It does turn green with a clear box but you can prevent this by using a black or dark coloured box or by painting the outside of it to stop light getting in.
how long will the matting last?
It should last for years. It's also easy to clean if it get clogged with algae/soil using warm water.