Book on how to make and use self watering containers

Territorial Seed Company has a book out on this for around $20, was curious as to how many people have read this book and if they found it useful?
joy112854

What is the title of the book?

Linda

Celtic Gardner: Incredible Vegetables Self Watering Containers it's around $20.
joy112854

Ahhh, I thought so. When I saw the book in the Territorial catalog I checked and it was in the NEW books at my library. I was lucky enough to check it out. I didn't notice if it tells how to make self watering containers. I see an awful lot of earth boxes and what I take to be gardener's supply boxes in the photos. There is good info on each type of veggie and any specific needs it might have. Good info on creating your own container soil mixes. For me it is not worth the cost of the book in these tough economic times. I am soooo thankful for our libraries!! I will say that it is written in a lighthearted style that is enjoyable. The author cheers us on to accomplish veggie growing in containers.

Here are more comprehensive reviews (scroll to bottom of page)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580175562/ref=s9subs_c1_14_at1-rfc_p_si1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=00XTVGH1YZNPP6N7DJNF&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383351&pf_rd_i=507846

I also have taken out "The Bountiful Container" and am enjoying thumbing through it. This one is not focused on self watering containers.

all the best Linda

Linda: There are links if you want to try and make your own self contained planter or garden on this site. I have printed them all out and now am stockpiling 5 gallon buckets. LOL
joy112854

The EarthTainer

http://www.tomatofest.com/tomato-earthtainer.html

Texas Rock: Thanks.
joy112854

Yes, thanks texas rock! They look nice and neat/tidy. An important consideration for the 'burbs. I'll have to poke around to see if we can get all the components.

Linda

I just watched the vids for Earthtainer and will be trying them this spring an answer to many of my problems.

The Incredible Vegetables in Self-Watering Containers book is avaiablle for about $13 at www.edwardrhamilton.com.

katiebear

I just got through looking over the PDF file on how to build an Earth trainer. They look great in concept and design, but I have a question.....Please don't take this comment to be smart aleck because I sure don't mean it that way, but how much cheaper would that be than the $29.00 Earth Box after you buy all those different supplies, and do all that work? I know the supplies are inexpensive individually, but I'm trying to guesstimate what total cost would be after they are all completed? I was thinking of just buying the EB and sticking a couple of the tomato cages down into them. I'm anxious to hear what some of you think, maybe I am looking at it wrong, I'm horrible at math and building stuff....

Darkmoondreamer,
I, too, just viewed the entire video. I have 8 patented EBs (thanks to TPlant!), and about 8 homemade eBuckets (thanks to Me!). I hear you on the cost factor here and I'm kinda wondering if all those steps outweigh just picking up the phone & ordering the patented EBs. I can put together an eBucket in 10 minutes tops, start to finish if I have my wicking basket, 2 buckets and my fill tube lined up already!

Actually, that whole EarthTainer system might cost as little as $10-15 to construct if you get the boxes on sale. It's the construction time factor that makes it "cost" prohibitive. I might try to put one together to see what it really costs. Or, if you do, please post your findings here. Thanks.

Linda

This message was edited Jan 11, 2009 10:17 PM

Hi Linda...I am not handy nor is my husband at "building" things like that, so although it might be cheaper I will probably still buy the EB, even if I can only get a couple a year. Just running around getting the supplies would be difficult for me, and we don't have saws or carpentry tools. If I was handy it would be great! I would however, love to know how you made EBuckets! Please share with me? Thanks, Karen

Linda is right on the simplicity of the Ebucket. Quick and easy. I have made quite a few before I found grow bags.

BocaBob

Here's another pic

True on what you all are saying about the trade off regarding buying ready made vs making your own EB's. If a guy has all the parts laying around in his little piles of junk around the farm; has all the tools necessary for the construction; and has the time and skills, then making your own would be the way to go. On the other hand if you are a left-side brain type then buying the ready made EB would save you money and time.

One thing about the EB's I've noticed is that both Tplant and BocoBob have installed automatic drip/micro spray irrigation systems to supplement watering the EB's. Give this fact, it seems that the 5-gal grow bags of coir that BocoBob sells fitted with a micro irrigation system is the better way to go both in efficiency and cost. I will know more after this year as to how well I like working with the 5-gal grow bags and coir with a drip system. The 5-gal grow bag cost $0.35 and the coir to fill it cost about $2.50. This setup will grow one tomato so for two tomatoes the cost is $5.70 vs the cost of an EB, $30. A drip pan if necessary can be placed under the 5-gal grow bag for another buck or two.

Hey Bob, these 2 photos remind me of something I have been wanting to ask you: I see two watering systems and I wonder if you use both. I have never seen where anyone who "irrigates" mentions whether they also use the fill tube. The concept of watering from the bottom makes me wonder. Nutty question I know but then...consider the source. Devota

I found 18 gallon totes at Home Depot for less than $4.00 each. I use a free plastic veggie box from a local grocer as the inner part. I put scraps of screen over it to keep too much mis from falling into the water. I cut out the inner part of the top of the tote and use a scrap of plastic from a big dog food bag under it. I can cut x's or whatever and it's easily replacable. I use scraps of PVC pipe from the dump as filler tubes.

As with many projects like this, the first one took the longest. It was still done in less than two hours. Now I know what supplies I need and I keep them together. I can make an HEB in about 20 minutes. Cost is less than $5.00 for each box.

katiebear

Katiebear! Pictures please! Now your idea intrigues me not only because of price, but sounds super simple with no "building or sawing!" Please spill all of your secrets, MUWAHAHAHAHA!

I haven't mastered my camera. Soon, soon. The only tools are my power drill to make the holes for the feeding tube and my jigsaw to cut out the top. Oh, and scissors to cut the plastic bag and the screen.

You can use the pictures at josho.com or .org - they're under the "sticky" at the top of this forum.

After studying the directions at josho I thought about it a lot. One of my mottos is "think a lot, work a little." I had a terrific high school chemistry teacher who used to say, "Think simple-minded." After making a HEB following josho's directions, I realized I could use a free box as the interior box and save the cost of using a tote for the inner box wile recycling a plastic box that groceries discard.

If you don't have access to a dump or scrap pipe the PVC tube is cheap.

katiebear

I forgot to say that I used a little plastic bucket from the dollar store as a "wick." I dound the pond baskets on eBay for $.50 each in lotf of 100. That's what I'll get if I decided to make a lot of these.

kb

Devota - I do both and are testing both ways. First of all I irrigate all my containers with a nutrient rich water from garbage cans and pumps. On some of my homemade ebuckets I run a micro hose down the fill tube into the reservoir. On others I use a spray on top and on others I use a drip on top. I LOVE to experiment.

But as Texasrockgarden says and I agree with him totally, the grow bag is the most cost effective way to grow all your vegetables. It is becoming my choice to grow in.

BocaBob

Good, Bob, thanks for the explanation. When you retire the ebuckets don't forget your friends. Lol Devota

I found the earthtainer supplies to be too expensive, I mean the set up costs so much to make, it's almost worth it to just order an EB; but, the kitty litter box has me intrigued, it looked like it was sturdy and at the same time cheap to make and so does Boca Bobs; except Bob it cost too much to make yours, as aren't those buckets you use expensive? I have some 5 gallon buckets, freebies of course and lids; but, I was thinking on using a pond basket instead of the solo plastic cup ya'll, I mean, that cup is just too flimsy I think, and so would the veggie basket you are talking about Katie bear, why not just buy a pond basket?

That is a good price on the totes though, $4 is a steal there; I was looking today at Big Lots and noticed they had these huge storage containers, they were gray with lids for only $9; but then again, you need two of them to make a self watering container. And here is something to keep in mind also, the ones you make yourself come with no guarantee, the EBs do come with a guarantee. I, myself, might buy 5 more EBs and make a bunch of the HEBs from 5 gallon buckets; but replacing the solo plastic cup with a pond basket for sturdiness. See, with me, I gotta pay someone to drill those holes or let them make two and keep one, so I'm better off buying the EBs I think.

Now, if we could all find the totes at HD for $4, we'd have it made in the shade as that is $8 and then the rest of the materials are chump change. When you buy the rubbermaid roughneck, you are paying an arm and a leg to get two containers to make one EB with and not worth the trouble and energy expended; but that is my opinion.

The litter box that was shown on the site here; looked really nicely made and looked sturdy too. I would opt for that one.
joy112854

Ya'll just to add to the comment above, I know a hammer is supposed to connect with a nail. But, if I were the one holding the hammer in one hand, the nail in the other and trying to hammer a nail into the wall to hang a picture? I'd need the picture alright, to probably cover the holes in the wall where I missed the nail or wind up wearing a cast on most of my fingers where I hit them instead of the nail.

I could picture me right now with a drill in my hand making all those bitty holes needed for the aeriation screen, couldn't you? I mean, when I was through, the plant, the potting mix and everything would be floating in the reservoir, where I accidentally drilled too many tiny holes too close together making big holes right?

So, I will resign myself to the fact that I need to buy my EBs. LOL
joy112854

joy112854 - That is why I have turned to 5 gallon grow bags. Dollar for dollar you can grow so much more with them. But, I do love my 12 real Earthbox's. I have discarded all my homemade tote EB's. Still using my Ebuckets, but they are expensive to make.

BocaBob

Bob: Well, I still love the EB, and will probably scrimp and save to get more if I know me. Besides, my mistakes on attmepting to make them would probably cost me more than it would to just order them in the first place. I keep thinking those topsy turvys and revolutionary planters are going to be a pain in the rear, as it takes two people to fill them with soil, a strong person to hold it and hang it, the more and more I think about it, the more and more I wish I would have saved more space for the EBs. I do have some hanging grow bags I'm going to try; but, not real confident in those either like I am the EBs.

Question: I was reading the Gardens Alive sales catalogue the other day, noticed it has a special fertilizer for tomatoes called Tomatoes Alive and a special Endz Rot stuff to put on tomatoes; problem is the directions call to use twice during the season. Has anyone attempted to use these products with the EB full of tomatoes? Also; in comparing it to your fertilizer; I would think yours is cheaper? Can you take a look see and let me know, also let me know if your fertilizer can be used in the EB?
joy112854

I don't think Ebuckets will be expensive for me. We already have the tools which I am familiar with and enjoy using. I just got some more 5 gal buckets at my local grocery store for 25 cents apiece [sometimes they charge 50 cents.] I have a lot of 1 inch flexible tubing and 1 1/2 inch schedule 40 pvc left over from pond projects. The same grocery store sells sturdy smaller buckets, [from the deli for a nickle apiece,]which I am going to use as a wicking basket after drilling holes. It all looks like win-win to me. D in TN

If you make HEB's with totes, you only need one. You can use a plastic veggie box which you can get free at you supermarket. There is a black one that fits perfectly inside the tote. It is ventilated; I use a scrap piece of screen to keep a lot of mix from falling into the water resevoir.

katiebear

Devota: You definately got my respect, I am going to use the buckets, as I'm getting some free; but, I don't see my going out and buying the totes and putting two of them together for making one, too many holes to drill, and in my case, too many holes to make mistakes with, after my description of my ability with a hammer and nail, can you picture the damage I could do with a drill? LOL Since the buckets are free and the pond baskets fairly cheap, it would be beneficial to tell my worker friends, hey, you make a few for me and you can have one yourself ok? That approach will work for the buckets, and I'd wind up on top that way, otherwise, it'd cost me too much.

Actually, I think the buckets would work great for tomatoes, eggplants, and artichokes, it would then free up the other EBs I have for the plants that I could plant more of, such as peppers and okra, and corn and watermelons, etc.

You get a discount when you buy EBs in quantities of 5 and 10. At 5 you are actually paying $35 each, and at 10 you are actually paying $34.40 each, that does include shipping and handling. The $175 might sound like a lot at first; but you are getting 5 EBs for that price, and that is their everyday price list. Now the earthtainer says it costs way over $20, so what are you actually saving in regards to time and energy? In my case, it would be plus wasted material on mistakes. LOL I envy all you talented people. Now the litter box one I liked and I think it will work fine and I think it was simple and easy to put together from looking at the directions, just like the 5 gallon buckets ones; only thing is, in the directions it calls for a solo cup for the 5 gallon bucket one, and I think the pond basket would be far sturdier than the solo cup.
joy112854

I have to say, after looking it all over, that BocaBob's 5 gallon grow bag with coco coir included for $3.95 is the way to go. And they are usable for several years. I know lately I have sounded a little bit like Bob's cheerleader (Bob, when do I get paid, HAHAHA) and I do like to keep all options available with an open mind and a good look, but his bags do seem to be a whole lot easier and cheaper.

Joy,
"a solo cup for the 5 gallon bucket one, and I think the pond basket would be far sturdier than the solo cup."
I don't think I want to use the Solo cup for the same reason ...BUT having said that, those cups probably stand up well to a season of gardening and when you clean up, [and out] after your tomatos are harvested you can always "can it," and replace with another the following planting. It is just easier for me to use the small pails from the bakery/deli.

My Ebuckets will be just for Tomatoes and Peppers.

By the way, Joy, if you try to make holes in a bucket, or anything else plactic with a hammer and nails you might just break the plastic. If you have a friend who has a drill, {my kids gave me a Sears Drill and Saw kit for my anniversary. Smile.} They could take care of your inner bucket and you can do the rest easily. Devota

Karen, I want Bob's gro bags and coir too now. Will I ever get enough stuff? Devota

The plastic solo cups are sturdy enough for the eBuckets, and do not fall apart or disintegrate. The rim holds it sungly inside the center hole of your soil bucket, and you only need to make about 4 vertical slits in the cup with a razor blade or exacto knife to allow the packed soil inside to soak up the water from the reservoir. Additionally, the length of the solo cup ensures constant contact with the water in your reservoir (unless you let the water level drop drastically!)

And, did I mention that if I have my (free) 5-gallon buckets standing ready, and my fill tubes pre-cut, I can drill holes and construct an eBucket in 10 minutes for approximately $1.50/per eBucket?

A voice of experience....tee hee hee...

Gymgirl Yippee. Thanks for the enlightenment on the Solo. Experience is the best teacher. Okay. I have a double stack in the pantry. I will use a couple and check out how they stand up to my little nickel pails. D in TN

Ummm, I may have to use solo cups myself as there are no pond baskets to be found anywhere in town. You'll never believe what I did, or you probably will. LOL One of my friends and I wound up today at Walmarts looking at tubs, and sure enough there were these rubbermaid roughnecks on sale for $6 each, so, what do I do?? I bought 6 of them right away and then went to Lowes for the water tube, all that is left to buy now is the pond baskets and I'll have 3 new HEBs. Not only that, found another bucket donor, I should be averaging about 4 five gallon buckets a week till planting season gets here, I struck up a deal with my friend, he is going to only charge me $5 per HEB, and with the 5 gallon buckets, for every three he makes, he gets one for his mother. LOL Now I can live with that.

He's the one who helped me put the two EBs together and plant the strawberries I have in them now. So; he understands gardening in self watering containers pretty well by now. Now for a question, that pond basket or solo cup, does it get filled with moistened potting mix? Is that what they call the wicking process?
joy112854

Joy, Check at your local supermarket for the plastic boxes that fruits and veggies come in. There is one that fits perfecdtly inside the tote and can be used instead of wasting a tote to make the inner part. You can make 6 HEB's instead of three.

I've posted about doing this on other threadds but haven't done pictures yet.

You are right about the wicking process. You can get 100 pond baskets for $40 on eBay if you really have the fever. Otherwise, I have found suitable baskets at the $.99 store. (and at the dump)

katiebear

Why does it have to be a pond basket? Wouldn't a plastic mayo jar or a plastic peanut butter jar or a small plastic coffee can or plastic Gatorade bottle or a small plastic nursery flower pot work? I guess the coffee can is now called the coffee plastic. LOL

Gals, if you have got a guy around to drill your holes in your baskets, surely he can drill the wicking chamber a few times.

While y'all are out buying pond baskets, etc., you are probably throwing in the trash something that will work as well or better.

Just my $0.02 (smile)

Happy Gardening,

Jerry





Jerry

You're right Jerry, of course but where would we be without the quest for better ways to do things; or for that matter the thrill of the hunt, the fun of shopping on line and elsewhere? Tee Hee.
This is a relatively new gardening concept and every idea has merit and shows thought and creativity doesn't it? I'm just so happy I found Dave's and all the good suggestions.

I still get coffee in a "can" can and I hate throwing them away but I don't know if they could be useful as a wicking basket. hmmm