The idea behind sub-irrigation planting (seepage irrigation) is that water is absorbed upwards from underneath the plant. Excess water can be recycled to water other plants.
Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Materials Needed:
- 2 liter empty plastic bottle (any regular soda bottle will do)
- scissors
- Moisture wicking fabric (4inches long and 1 inch wide)
- Potting soil mix (a little peat (sphagnum) moss with some organic fertilizer doesn't hurt either)
Directions:
- Cut the 2 liter bottle in half. The bottom half should be 5 inches tall.
- In the top half, make puncture holes spaced 1 inch apart. The holes should be 3/8 in diameter and spaced evenly all the way around.
- Turn the top half upside down so that the cap part is facing the ground. Remove the cap.
- Insert the moisture wicking fabric into the cap hole. Leaving about half of one inch sticking out of the cap hole. The rest of the 4 inches should be inside the top half of the bottle.
- Pour about 3 cups of your potting mix into the top half of the bottle, making sure to work the soil around the wicking fabric.
- Add about 1.5 inches of water to the bottom half of the bottle (not the half with the soil).
- Put the top half of the bottle (soil half) into the bottom half (water side). The bottom half of the bottle should hold the top half without your assistance.
- Plant seeds or seedlings. Use a little water to settle the soil around the new plants.
- The wicking fabric should bring the water from the basin and into the soil, so that you only need to add water to the basin once the roots have taken hold.
That's it! Now you have a recycled, water-saving pot. In addition, it's a great conversation piece! Try this out with some fresh herbs like basil, chives, sage, and oregano.
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| from 2literrocket.com |
Too much for you? Stick around. We'll have more great tips for what you can do with other household items coming up soon! Keep planting!
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