Spring is coming, and I have to many Plants (as usual). Need to extend the garden in a quick and easy way. My solution is to create a super simple Self Watering Frame, with a big Water Reservoir. The plan is to make it easy to change the Grow Buckets during the season as different Plants need more/less space.
I bought simple Pallet Collars to use for this. Decided to only use the long sides of the Pallet Collars, which made the total area 120×120 cm. It will hold somewhere between 14-16 Buckets.
This is how I made them:
1. I used Waterproof Plywood and cut a bottom for the frame (119,5×119,5 cm).
2. I then added Wheels since I want to be able to move it around. Two out of six wheels have breaks, I think it will be enough.
3. I turned it upside down (wheels towards the ground..), and placed the first round of Pallet Collars on top of the new bottom. I then lined the inside with plastics, and used staples (close to the top of course..) to fix it.
4. I now wanted to make the Water Reservoir as big as possible. I used Drainage Pipes as a base, and added Clay Pebbles between and around them. The plan is that the Pipes will make a big reservoir, and easily let the Water in and out of them as they have holes everywere.. The Clay Peppbles will hopefully take care of the Wicking, and make sure that the Water travels upwards to the buckets, even if the Reservoir gets almost empty.
5. To be able to fill the Water Reservoir quick and easy, I used a PVC pipe, cut the bottom into an angle and stuck it into the Clay Pebbles in one of the Corners. (Sorry about the blurry pipe in the picture, at least you can see the angle.)
6. I then covered the Water Reservoir with Wicking Cloth. This one was ordered in an online Greenhouse Supply Shop. I did tuck it in as much as possible. Figured that it’s good if the cloth also reaches the bottom of the reservoir to be able to help with the wicking.
7. Then adding one extra layer of Pallet Collars that will make a nice Frame.
8. Preparing the Buckets, I simply drill several holes in the bottom of each bucket.
And this is what it looks like when it’s done. Buckets ready for plants, and also room for my indoor Cucumber Buckets to move out here when the weather gets warm enough.
And this is what it looks like when it’s done. Buckets ready for plants, and also room for my indoor Cucumber Buckets to move out here when the weather gets warm enough.
Update, 29th of July
I am very happy with the result! I’ve only refilled the water Reservoir once this season. It’s easy to change the Buckets when it’s time to replace something.
Lots of Cucumbers in there right now, but also Sugar Snap Peas and Cucamelons.
Update, 10th of August
New picture update! I’ve replaced a few Buckets, and will soon replace the Sugar Snap Pea Buckets as they soon will be done for the season. Cucumbers are coming everywhere! Seems like a Reservoir like this provides an easy way to keep up with all the watering that Cucumbers need and I’ve only been refilling the reservoir a few times this season.
