![]() A 2 gallon reservoir versus a 4 gallon won't have any impact on the productiveness of your plants. Those questions are probably a lot more crucial than the question of water capacity. Also, plants that are heavy feeders may deplete the nutrients too quickly. WHAT IS THE SOIL CAPACITY OR VOLUME? Larger plants like tomatoes will need more growing medium to reach full potential. WHAT IS THE SOIL SURFACE AREA OF YOUR SIP? A self-watering container with more surface area, might be a good choice for lettuce, spinach or strawberries. Don't expect to grow 8" carrots in a City Pickers that only gives you 6.75" of space. WHAT IS THE DEPTH OF THE GROWING MEDIA? This will have a large bearing on the types of vegetables you can grow. It might seem complex, but trust me, this is easy gardening!īesides price, there are other factors when evaluating a self-watering system: An air pocket separates the soil and water, allowing the roots to receive oxygen. You water the reservoir (sub-irrigation) then the soil or a piece of fabric "wicks" up the water (self-watering) as needed. The water reservoir is placed directly below the soil container, merging it into a self-contained system. Is a sprinkler or soaker hose considered a self-watering system? What about an electronically controlled ebb & flow set up? Technology has advanced to the point that electronic moisture sensors can send a signal to a computerized water timer which then activates your watering system as needed.īut SIPs are the ideal solution when dealing with containers. Technically a gardener could devise a "self-watering" system that isn't sub-irrigated. I've seen SIPs that include a float valve which recharges the water reservoir automatically. The process works even when you're away for a time. To be truly self-watering, the system should store water and automatically add more upon demand. Some people feel this is misleading terminology. SELF-WATERING? Sub-irrigation or wicking systems are often marketed as "self-watering". The annual veggies in this garden were grown in self-watering containers! Of course, if you disagree then we can agree to disagree. A "bed" (any garden bed) that vertically "wicks" (absorbs water through capillary action) is in fact a "wicking bed". Wicking bed is a purely descriptive term. In fact, the concept is well over 100 years old! Just as there is no copyright for the term "garden bed". And wicking planter designs have been in the public domain for a very, very long time. The term wicking bed is not a registered trademark. I do not prescribe to this rigid view at all. Some people attribute that term to a very specific design -a system that is built with gravel in its internal base. WICKING BED? Another area of confusion is whether or not these systems should be referred to as "wicking beds". Your SIP system is also hydroponic, if you are feeding your plants with a complete nutrient solution. A hydroponic setup might be sub-irrigated or it could easily be top watered instead. The term "Sub-irrigation" describes a method for delivering water. The soil is inert and provides little more than physical structure. Plants grown through "Hydroponics" receive all of their nutrients from a water solution. It is not some sort of passive hydro system. SUB-IRRIGATED vs HYDROPONICS? Sub-irrigation is not the same thing as hydroponics. There are various methods for using wicking material to bridge the gap between the water reservoir & the active growing zone. The soil in a capillary fringe (which is above the water table) is kept moist by water that travels vertically due to capillary action. They can also supply water to plant roots if those roots are near the capillary fringe. Aquifers can feed springs, streams, lakes and wells. This water (known as an Aquifer) consists of permeable rocks that are saturated with water, like a sponge. ![]() The surface of the Earth is riddled with massive underground water pockets. Small Scale Sub-irrigated Planter Options.See SOIL for help with the proper ingredients. It must contain air spaces that the water molecules can cling to as they rise. For the process to work, the soil (potting mix) cannot be too dense or compact. Through capillary action, the water then slowly rises upwards. Gardening with sub-irrigation is the process of watering plants from below the soil line. ![]() A DIY self watering garden is a water-wise system that will conserve water while growing huge plants! ALBO-STEIN: Self-watering Seedling PlanterĪre you looking to combat severe drought using water conservation in your garden? Do you need to grow in a spot where you have literally NO soil? Or do you just want some really huge vegetables that are easy to grow? Self-watering (wicking) beds or containers are a great solution.
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