November 01, 2012

DIY: Self-Watering Seed Starter Pots

Jason has been planting a lot of crops lately and he has a lot of seedlings. We also have quite a few plastic bottles. They don't have the easiest or most convenient waste management system in this town, so we try to not make a lot of waste. When I came across these self-watering seed starters that use plastic soda bottles, I thought it was a perfect idea- we'd be helping the garden AND reusing materials that would otherwise just be thrown away.

And so far- they really work!




They're also great for those who want to grow indoors. They're low-maintenance (hence "self-watering") and they're very easy to make. Here's how:

Self-Watering Seed Starters:
From Skruben

Supplies needed:
- Plastic bottles (1.5 - 2 liter bottles work better)
- Thick string or yarn (cotton or poly work fine)
- Soil
- Seeds
- Phillips screwdriver
- Hammer
- Sharp blade or scissors to cut the bottles




Steps:
1. Cut the bottles in half very carefully.

2. Take the caps and poke holes in the middle of them. Do this by hammering the Phillips screwdriver through the top. Make sure you have something under the caps, like a cutting board.

3. Cut a 12inch piece of string or yarn for each bottle. Fold in half and make a knot towards the fold to make a small loop.

4. Put the string/yarn through the hole in the bottle cap, making sure the loop is in the inside of the cap.

5. Screw the caps on the bottles. Turn the top half upside down into the bottom half. Then plant your seeds. (I planted 2 corn seeds in each of my bottles)

6. Then water your seeds. The first time you water your seeds, you need to water them from the top. Then the next day, you can fill the bottom half of the bottle with water.


7. Then just wait! I change the water out every week or so. I don't know if it's necessary, but I do it anyways.




After doing these two, I became addicted and have started three more (as you can see from the very first picture at the top).

Here's how my corn is doing:

October 24th- 1st day I planted them:















October 27th- already starting to sprout:














October 30th:



















November 2nd-- today. They'll be transplanted into the garden soon:

4 comments :

  1. thats really awesome Idea. I miss doing planting in philippines but most part, love to do is to harvest. Happy weekend

    ReplyDelete
  2. Been using the SIP system for a while but am looking at making a square foot garden with the self watering system together. The idea of self waterers in general works beautifully...and being the person I am...if something doesn't work one season...I find something else...well found that something else, and that is self waterers. And you can make them any size you like, as long as the wicking system is in proportion to the planter itself. And use whatever soil mix works for you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Been using the SIP system for a while but am looking at making a square foot garden with the self watering system together. The idea of self waterers in general works beautifully...and being the person I am...if something doesn't work one season...I find something else...well found that something else, and that is self waterers. And you can make them any size you like, as long as the wicking system is in proportion to the planter itself. And use whatever soil mix works for you.

    ReplyDelete

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