Self Watering Systems for Plants
Save Money with Automatic Irrigation for Houseplants, Gardens
Self watering containers and automatic watering systems for houseplants and gardens can save water and money throughout the year and while plant lovers are on vacation.
Busy or laid back gardeners and houseplant owners can benefit from installing devices that water plants automatically over a period of days or weeks. Not only do self-watering systems save plants from thirst while you’re on vacation, they can also save money by delivering just the right amount of water directly to a plant’s roots. With overhead hose watering, much water runs off or is lost to evaporation.
Following are some inexpensive and homemade ways to buy and make your own self-irrigation systems.
Plastic Bottle Plant Water System
An easy and virtually free way to develop your own drip irrigation system for individual plants or small groups of plants is to recycle a used soda or water bottle into a watering device. Simply drill small holes in the bottle cap of a 1- or 2-liter plastic bottle and then screw it back in place. Cut off the bottom of the bottle and line the sharp cut edge with plastic or duct tape. Turn the bottle upside down and bury about the top third of the bottle near one plant or a close grouping of plants and fill the bottle with water every few days. Use the bottle to apply liquid fertilizer to the plants’ roots as well.
Garden supply stores sell watering spikes that fit on the top of plastic bottles that serve this same purpose. Megagro sells AquaSpikes, see photo below, which fit on the end of 2-liter bottles and stick in the ground (made easy by the spikes’ narrow, pointed shape). Also available from Megagro are AquaRocks, absorbent granules which are added to the soil and retain moisture to release when the plants need it. Price: 4-pack of AquaSpikes: $6.95; ¾-pound container of AquaRocks: $8.95. Shipping varies, free shipping for orders over $40.
Water Wicks
It doesn’t get much simpler than sticking one end of a braided rope in your plant soil and the other in a container of water to keep your plants happy while you’re away on vacation. Many container gardeners use parachute cord as watering wicks. The Pepperell Braiding Company in Massachusetts makes special cotton Water Maid Wicks designed to wick moisture from a water container—a bucket, milk gallon jug, or glass—and deliver to the soil of a potted plant. Use inside with houseplants or outside with container plantings. Buy online at the wickstore.com in groupings of six packs of five 15-inch wicks, for $14.94, shipping varies.
Plant Watering Mats
Capillary action keeps plants hydrated with these plant watering mats available from Lee Valley Tools. Place plants so their containers’ drainage holes sit flush on the mat and water the mat regularly. Or place a piece of the mat in a large vessel of water to create a self-watering wick. Plants get a constant source of water from the mat, which comes with a plastic underlay. Size: 36 inches by 72 inches. Price: $20.90, shipping is $9.95.
These plant watering solutions will save gardeners money, water, and time—and will result in healthier plants in the home and garden.
