Self-watering systems in garden an effective way to save water
Self-watering systems are a great way to make sure plants in your garden receive the optimal water nutrition during the long hard summer season. Irrespective of whether you have a home garden with plants aligned in pots or a small garden in front of your house or a big garden in your housing society compound, self watering systems work just as well for all sizes.
Another intrinsic advantage of using self watering systems is that they allow plants to soak in the exact amount of water they require for their nourishment needs and saving excessive water. What’s more making of self watering systems can be accomplished in one’s home using some simple tips and techniques. Let us take a look at some of the popular self watering systems that you can use in your home garden.
DIY self watering system for home garden
Basic Self-Watering System: The basic self watering system is easy to make at home and can be used for various pots and plants located in a home garden. The basic self watering system can be made using a waste plastic pet bottle. Making a self watering system involves three simplistic steps. Firstly, take a 2 liter plastic pet bottle and remove the bottom. Secondly, make a small hole in the cap of the bottle to allow for water seepage. In the third and the final step, invert the bottle and shove it inside the pot or hanging basket so that the bottle gets embedded in the soil of the pot. Fill the bottle with water and you are done. The soil would soak in water from the self watering bottle as and when required.
Evaporative self watering system: Evaporative system is another self watering mechanism that can be used in a home garden quite effectively. The evaporative system uses a dedicated container attached to the main pot or plant basket, allowing the plant to retain moisture for a longer period of time. A pot or garden basket with no holes can be used by adding some gravel and stones and inserting a plastic tray with drainage holes. The excess water added into the plastic pot will overflow to the gravel contained pot and can be reabsorbed by the plant as and when needed.
Drip Mechanism: Drip mechanism can be used effectively for plants that require regular nourishment of water. Drip mechanism can be created by using a pet plastic bottle with a hole at the bottom and inserting rubber tubing through the bottle. The bottle is then placed in the pot or garden basket with the cap towards the upside. Soil and plants are then fitted around the basket, leaving bottles neck and mouth exposed. The water from the bottle is used by the plant and can be refilled easily when consumed. The whole process is similar to a drip administered to a patient in the hospital hence the name.
Water Collection Device: Water collection device as the name suggests is made paramount to help conserve water and reduce water wastage. As part of the self watering system, water collection device is made using a plastic bottle attached next to the plant basket. A hole is made on the side of the bottle and a rubber tube is used to attach the bottle with the pot or plant basket. The bottle can be placed or hanged next to the plant basket in case of a hanging pot allowing the plant to receive adequate water through the day.
