How to Make a Self Watering Pot for a Small Christmas Tree
Note: If Needed, a PDF copy of this with a few more pictures is available through Scubbly.com for $1.99 (see side ad)
Materials
- Potted Christmas tree approximately 2' tall
- Old 5 Gallon bucket with lid
- Plastic Paint
- 1" pvc pipe, 18" long
- 3" to 4" wide pvc pile 1' long
- Drill with 1/2" and 1" bits
- Saw for cutting pvc pipe
- Stick & Permanent Marker
- 3 New Coffee Filters
Directions
1. You will need a potted 2’ Christmas Tree
2. Find an old 5 gallon bucket with a lid.
3. For optional decoration, use spray paint for plastics to paint the bucket.
4. Measure the height of the 5 gallon bucket. Add 1 inch to this measurement and cut your 1” PVC pipe.
5. From the 3” PVC pipe, cut four risers at lengths between 2 and 3 inches depending on what water level you prefer at the bottom of your pot. For better water flow, drill several 1⁄2” holes throughout the riser.
6. Saw off outer rim of lid and drill fifteen (1⁄2”) holes in lid. Drill one 1” hole off to one side.
7. Create a dip stick 1” longer than the 1” PVC pipe. Mark a permanent line on the stick at whatever height the 3" PVC riser was cut.
8. Your pieces should look something like as shown here:
9. Place the 4 risers inside the pot.
10. Place the lid on top of the risers and work the 1” PVC pipe into the 1” hole in the lid.
11. Place the three coffee filters over the holes in the lid. The coffee filters act as a wick, preventing the soil from falling into the water trough the holes.
Last Step
Now replant your Christmas tree and add any additional soil you might need into the pot. Be careful not to drop soil into the 1” PVC pipe and keep the coffee filters in place. Pour water down the 1” PVC pipe until it reaches the line on the dip stick. You can send water down the pipe with either a spouted water pot or funnel. For a one time application, water the plant on top of the soil since it was just planted. Add more water whenever the water line dips below the dip stick line. This will keep the water in contact with the coffee filter/soil to wick the water to the tree.
Note: If Needed, a PDF copy of this with a few more pictures is available through Scubbly.com for $1.99 (see side ad)
Shelly
2013
Benefits of Self Watering
Plant regulates its own water intake
Nutrients are not lost as dramatically through the soil through water flowing top to bottom
Healthy, long living plants
Don’t have to water as often
Keep your Christmas tree healthy while waiting for the opportunity to plant it at its permanent spot!
Partners
Resources
www.greenhomebuilding.com/adobe.htm
www.earthbagbuilding.com/articles.htm
www.earthbagplans.wordpress.com
We moved from the city to the country in 2005. Since then, we have been building structures, raising livestock and growing some of our own foods. We are crazy about family, nutrition and want the best for our growing family.
