Grow Peppers Year-Round with this Simple DIY Self-Watering System
Sustainable Solutions for City Living
This simple and
affordable self-watering container allows
you to grow peppers in the nooks and crannies of urban spaces. Unlike
tomatoes, a pepper plant continues to produce as long as it’s well
nurtured with water and sunlight making this ideal for year-round
growing.
Two buckets stacked in one another create a reservoir to store water at
the bottom of the system. The water is wicked up to the growing medium
where the roots absorb it as needed. The reservoir reduces the rate of
evaporation, which means you water less often,
saving both water and time. It also
encourages plants to develop a healthy, deep root system.
Due to its modular nature, this grow-system can be set up in different
locations on a roof deck, patio, balcony, or in the case of colder
climates, inside for the winter. The system itself can be built using
recycled material or purchased for less
than $20 at the hardware store.
🌱 Learn more about Urban Farming.
How to Build Your DIY Container
With a handful of materials, tools and less than 1 hour of time, you’ll
be watching the fruits of your labour bloom (literally!) Below is a list
of supplies and step-by-step instructions to make your container. Don’t
be afraid to experiment with different materials and plants once you get
the hang of it.
Materials:
- 5 gallon (19L) buckets x 2
- 1 inch PVC pipe, 18 inches long
- ¼ inch garden rope to wick the water
- Growing medium (Suggestion: 1 part coconut coir + 1 part compost + 1 part soiless mix that contains peat moss and perlite for drainage)
- Pepper seedlings
- Optional: A patch of denim fabric to increase the surface area of wicked water
Tools:
- Hacksaw
- Power drill
- 1 inch drill hole punch
- ¼ inch bit
Instructions
Step 1: Saw the PVC pipe down to size.
You’ll want to measure to be sure, but roughly 18 inches. The pipe needs
to span the entire system: the top of the inner bucket where the plant
grows down to the bottom of the reservoir created by the outer bucket.
Be sure to cut the end of the pipe going into the reservoir on a 45°
angle to ensure a seal isn't created and the reservoir can fill with
water easily.
Step 2: Drill a hole for the PVC pipe and ropes.
The inner bucket requires a total of 5 holes. Drill a 1-inch hole to
allow the PVC pipe to go through. This will be used to fill the
reservoir with water. Four ¼-inch holes will be used to lace the rope
and wick the water from the reservoir up to the growing medium.
Step 3: Drill a drainage hole.
The outer bucket requires a small ¼-inch drainage hole. This should be
drilled just below where the inner bucket sits.
Step 4: Assemble the system.
Cut a couple pieces of rope and string them through the inner bucket.
Make sure the rope is long enough that it reaches the bottom of the
reservoir. Next, stack the buckets (bucket with the drainage hole goes
on the outside), and insert the PVC pipe.
Optional: Add a patch of denim near the ropes in the inner bucket to
help increase the surface area of moisture.
Step 5: Start planting!
Layer your growing medium about 3 quarters of the bucket then transfer
your seedlings. Fill the reservoir of water. To get the growing started,
you’ll want to water the top just this one time. Once a week, top up the
water in the reservoir. Sit back, relax and let Mother Nature take care
of the rest!
✨Inspiration for this project goes to TMU’s Urban Farm.
Here’s how they did it.
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