Let's think about the why first. Self-watering is a bit of a misnomer. Self-watering systems do not create their own water. It has to be added to the system. And because the plants absorb water through their roots, water evaporates, and the fact that sometimes critters come by for a sip at times, water is lost, so it has to be added periodically. Because of this, I think self-watering systems might need to be thought of as, or even renamed, water resevoir systems. One system thar I have seen uses a tray, and then you pour your water into the base of the tray and set seedlings inside the tray (you can also place a layer of felt fabric between the water and the seedlings) and it basically wicks the water to the plant. It's a lot like pouring water into the saucer of a flower pot.
There are several self-watering systems on the market, but I'm only going to focus on the ones that I'm familiar with and tell you how I set up my self watering systems.
Self watering garden beds can be ordered online or purchased at some of the big box garden centers. I'm not saying you won't find them at a local garden center. You might. I have found some pretty amazing stuff at the one near me so go ahead and try. I think this one came from Home Depot. It rolls around so you can adjust your light. There's a tray at the bottom that separates the dirt from the bottom of the bed. The tube on the side is big enough to insert a water hose. What I do first is I water the plant as I normally would. Then I insert the water hose into the tube and watch for the water to run out the sides. When that happens, the resevoir is full. This often gives you 2 or 3 days of watering in the summer, and longer in spring and fall. Always check your soil if it looks dry. You can stick your finger into the soil a couple of inches or if you're afraid of critters biting, you can use a probe found at most garden centers.
There are also tiered systems. I have two. One is a series of five pots on something like an easel and the other one is what they call a three-tiered strawberry planter. In theory, you water the uppermost tier and then the excess water spills down into the lower tiers. However that doesn't always happen. For that reason it's always a good idea to water each level if you notice any dryness.
Finally there is my watering globe. Water the soil, fill the globe then insert it into the soil. It should be good for a couple of days.
Finally there is my watering globe. Water the soil, fill the globe then insert it into the soil. It should be good for a couple of days.
Hopefully this will help you avoid the self-watering misconception. Happy gardening!
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