Homemade irrigation system for plant pots

 

Summers are getting hotter and hotter, and dry spells are getting longer. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with watering your plants. A DIY irrigation system for the garden is a clever way to continuously supply potted plants with water.

With a few simple materials and a little DIY skill, you can create a system that automatically waters your plants, saving you time and effort.

Tip: Are you still looking for a high-quality planter that will withstand the elements for years and is visually appealing? Then you're guaranteed to love the metal planters from ELEO Garden! Here you can find our planters ➤ 

Materials:

• Plant pot
• 6 mm garden hose (choose a dark color to prevent algae growth)
• Dripper or sprinkler
• Timer (optional)
• Pump (optional)
• Water tank (optional)
• Drill
• Cutter
• Cable ties (optional)
• Pliers

Instructions:

1. Drill holes in the bottom of the planter if there aren't any already. The number and size of the holes depend on the size of the planter and the number of plants you want to water. As a general rule, you should drill a hole every 15-20 cm. Connect the garden hose to the drippers or sprinklers. Cut the garden hose to the desired length with a utility knife and secure the drippers or sprinklers with cable ties if necessary. Flow the garden hose through the holes in the bottom of the planter. Make sure the hose is not tangled or kinked. Position the drippers or sprinklers so that they water your plants evenly. You can adjust the position of the drippers or sprinklers later if needed. Connect the garden hose to a water source. You can connect the hose directly to a tap or to a water tank equipped with a pump. Set the watering frequency. and duration. If you use a timer, you can precisely set the watering frequency and duration. Otherwise, you will have to open and close the tap manually.

Important:

• Test the watering system before placing your plants in the planter.
• Adjust the watering frequency and duration to the needs of your plants and the weather conditions.
• Clean the watering system regularly to prevent blockages and mold growth.

 

Watering with a PET bottle: the classic for shorter periods

If the first option for a self-built watering system is too elaborate for you, or if you are looking for a temporary solution because, for example, you will be away from home for a few days on vacation, watering with a PET bottle is a good option – a tried and tested classic!

There are various methods for creating an automatic plant watering system from a PET bottle. For example, you can find ready-made systems in stores, consisting of a threaded adapter into which the bottle is screwed (see image above). You can also build your own irrigation system using a plastic bottle. Here's how it works:

Automatic drip irrigation with wick

Materials:

• PET bottle (size depends on plant needs)
• Fabric (e.g., cotton, linen)
• Nail or other sharp object
• Water

Instructions:

1. Cut off the bottom of the PET bottle by about 1 cm.
2. Use a nail or other sharp object to make several small holes in the bottle cap.
3. Cut a strip of fabric long enough to reach from the neck of the bottle to the bottom.
4. Thread the strip of fabric through the neck of the bottle and pull it out until the end of the fabric rests on the bottom inside the bottle. lies.
5. Fill the PET bottle with water and screw the cap back on.
6. Insert the PET bottle upside down into the planter. Make sure the neck of the bottle is not completely submerged in the soil.
7. The strip of fabric acts as a wick and carries the water drop by drop to the plant.

Reading tip: Also read our blog article on how to properly plant a planter, including drainage!