Let’s create a self-watering planter!  For the past couple of weeks, I was on a diet that delivered my food on a weekly basis.  The orders always arrived in Styrofoam coolers and were taking up space in the garage.  I felt bad tossing them out and decided to recycle the coolers that weren’t broken or cracked.

Here’s what you will need:

• Styrofoam cooler or similar sturdy container
• field lines (unused) – or pipe with holes drilled all over
• weed cloth
• 1″ to 2″ tubing about 14 inches long
• scissors and/or sharp knife
• potting soil

Measure the inside of the cooler to get its length.  Cut the field lines so that they fit nicely into the bottom of the cooler.  I had to cut one of them in half so that that it would fit properly.  Make a notch at each end of the field lines so that there will be a space in each corner.  Wrap the field lines with the weed cloth so that dirt will not enter the open ends.

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Place the wrapped field lines or pipe with holes into the cooler so that there are gaps in the corners.  The gaps will give some space for soil to come in contact with water for wicking.

Cut a piece of heavy-duty bubble wrap so that it covers the field lines in the bottom of the cooler.  Also cut a piece of tubing to place in the corner so that you can add water to your planter.  Notch the bottom end of the tube so that the water can enter the cavity.

       Before placing the bubble wrap into the cooler, notch each corner. This will allow potting soil to be pushed into the corners.  This soil will act as a wick to water your plants.

Add bubble wrap to your cooler.

Place your planter in a sunny level spot where you want your plants to grow.  Once filled with water and soil the planter is heavy and will break if you try to move it.  Fill with potting soil and make sure to push soil into the open three corners.  The soil in the corners will pull the water up to your plants by acting like wicks.    Plant your seeds or plants and go!  Now you will only have to water it every couple of days and not daily.

**UPDATE** – Looks like I have a leak.  Even though the cooler was not cracked there is a small hole somewhere that is slowly seeping water.  Once it dries I’ll try to seal it.  I’m going to make a second planter today. This time, I’ll line the cooler with a heavy-duty trash bag.  This will contain the water and prevent the water from seeping out the bottom.  Well…that’s the plan.

Update! Now there are two! 

I created another self-watering planter by using an 18-gallon tote. The concept is the same and holds up better to sun exposure than the Styrofoam cooler. A hole was drilled close to the bottom.

Then, I sealed a piece of PVC pipe in place using a heavy flexible silicone sealer. Perforated field line pipe in the bottom and that was covered with weed cloth. I added a fill tube. I inserted a larger diameter PVC pipe down through the weed cloth. Then, I zip-tied it to the side of the planter.

The bottom end of the fill pipe was cut at an angle. This allows water to enter the bottom when needed. The end would not be touching the bottom of the tote. I filled it with a good potting soil mix and planted my herbs.

Note: this will be heavy so it is advised to place it where you want it before adding water. To move mine indoors last year for the winter, I had to wait until it dried out a bit. It took two of us to move it. Plants are loving it and my herbs are still going strong.

One planter is still going well!  I’m surprised it has lasted this long.  One of the original planters failed when I attempted to move it and it broke.  Here is a photo of the remaining planter from 2012.