Friday, September 7, 2012

Self Watering Planters - Materials & Construction



MATERIALS:
2  Buckets (5gal)
1  Corrugated drain pipe (length: one rib longer than the distance between the bottom of the top bucket and the bottom of the bottom bucket)
1  PVC pipe (length: from the bottom of the bottom bucket to about an inch above the top bucket. Cut a diagonal section off of one end.)
1  Garbage Bag with drawstrings (bottom cut off, leaving only 12 inches from the top.)
1 Rubber Band (Large or very stretchy)


CONSTRUCTION:
1. Drill holes in columns down the drain pipe, skipping every other rib, keeping columns 2-3 inches apart.
2. Drill two drainage holes in the bottom bucket a little below where the bottom of the top bucket will be.
3. Drill lots of holes in the top bucket and cut out holes for the PVC and the drain pipe. (Make the drain pipe's hole a little too small)
4. Cut a 2 inch line extending from the larger hole.
5. Flip bucket upside down. Push the drain pipe under one of the flaps until the top rib is caught under it. Twist the pipe towards the flap until the entire top rib is caught under the plastic.
6. Put top bucket inside of the bottom bucket. Slide the PVC pipe into its hole diagonal end down.
7. Pull the strings of the garbage bag closed. Fit the open end around the lip of the top bucket and secure with rubber band.
8. Open up the mouth of the garbage bag all the way and fold it down the side of the bucket.