What does self watering planters do? Yes, they definitely do work. They’re simple to create and simple to keep. But, do self watering planters actually work? Yes.
They work because by slowly drawing water up from the base of the plant, directly into the soil around your plants, with very little capillary action, self watering planters actually draw more water level in the reservoir. This keeps your plants well hydrated. And, you’ll notice, as the water level rises in the reservoir it goes up toward the top of the pot. It’s a natural process.
How does self-watering planter do this? Well, it uses what is called capillary action. How does this work? Well, basically when the water goes up in the reservoir it pulls water level downward, just like the water that falls on your windshield does when you drive down a road. The difference though is that, instead of water going down, it goes up.
There are two primary self-watering planter options available. One is called a hanging basket garden. These are large, plastic baskets that hang from a wall or a pole. Other self-watering planter options are vented containers, also called sump containers. Both these types have the same goal in mind, which is to pull the water level down and bring it back up to the surface of the soil.
Some other gardening tips say that the best way to keep plants healthy is by providing them with extra moisture, as much as 6 hours a day. So what does self-watering planter do to accomplish this? It supplies plants with what is called a continuous stream of moisture. This continuous stream of moisture is what is necessary to help the roots of plants grow strong and healthy. Plants will actually use the moisture to help themselves grow and thrive, because without moisture they would not be able to survive.
What happens when the drainage of a self-watering container fails? That’s where the overflow spout comes into play. When there is an overflow, the excess water goes out through the overflow spout, so you have an area that is constantly moist. This creates the perfect environment for plant root growth and healthy plant roots.
If you are worried about weeds getting in your plants or in the soil after you water, worry no more because the wick is the solution to that. Self-winding wicks come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. You can choose the one that will best fit the application you are placing it under. For instance, some are made to go under plants and others are designed to work over soil surfaces. It all depends on what you need the wick to do.
The last thing we are going to discuss is the water savings that are achieved by using self-watering planter pots. These pots are typically smaller and take up less space than standard 5 gallon containers. Also, because they are used on a continuous basis, the plants are going to be consistently moist, therefore minimizing the watering required.
One of the main reasons people select a self-watering planter is the fact that it is so easy to use. Simply place the container in the bottom of the pot and turn on the pump. As long as the water runs out of the container and into the drainage area of the planter, it will continue to do so until you empty the bucket. Typically you can refill a 5 gallon bucket approximately three times a year.
Now, let’s talk about the reservoir. Self-watering planters are typically larger, wider and longer than average pots. The reason is because you want to capture as much water as possible. Any time you plan to fill a planter, you need to consider the amount of water in the reservoir. If you are growing plants that love sunlight, the amount of sun they need is critical. Plants that need more water should have a larger and wider container.
Self-watering planters are also designed to provide consistent moisture. Most houseplants spend their entire lives in a contained environment. When they are moved from a house to a garden, they are not receiving the nutrition they once received. Consistent moisture promotes plant health and promotes the development of strong, healthy root systems.
The final consideration when choosing a self-watering planter is how the container is connected to the hose and the plumbing system. You can attach the container to the piping using a plastic tube or you can connect it with an adjustable valve. In addition, most hoses have a drip feeder that allows you to add water very slowly.