Grow Your Own Way: How to Build a DIY Self-Watering Planter Box

Shedstore is the place to be when you want to learn everything there is to know about your new DIY self-watering planter project. By having a planter that waters itself, you can save water, ease plant care and add some stylish greenery with minimal effort.

Since we know you enjoy personalising your garden, we will guide you through the process of building your own planter. Enjoy!

Your DIY self-watering planter may look and feel like magic, but there is plenty of smart real-world science and engineering going on in the background. The key point to note with your self-watering planter box is that it contains a built-in water reservoir system. This fundamental element of the overall design is where the magic happens, and it is the use of clever science that makes it possible.

If you want to know how to build a planter box, we need to give you a quick rundown of the materials and tools needed. Reach for your toolbox, start sketching out your DIY self-watering planter, and let the fun begin.

Building your DIY self-watering planter is simple when you take things step by step, so do not put yourself under pressure. Take your time, enjoy the process, and then bring your custom design to life with these how to make a self-watering planter step-by-step instruction tasks:

Just like when you are assembling a playhouse with a platform or one of our garden tables, the key is to come prepared.

Your DIY self-watering planter will come to life when you start cutting the boards to size. Working on a WorkMate or sawing horse will give you control over your strokes in a way that is safe and accurate. After all, the last thing you want is a DIY gardening planter with wonky edges! You can then anchor the various sections of the body together with suitable-length wood screws.

The next part your DIY gardening planter assembly steps is adding a water reservoir fitted to the bottom of the box. If you have an old plastic storage container that got left out overnight on your wooden picnic table, for example, that would be perfect. Fit it securely without damaging the plastic and make sure that it is level. You can then run the PVC pipes or perforated tubing from the reservoir to the soil bed, taking care to avoid kinks and splits.

If you want your garden planter to look its best for years to come while you relax on one of our garden furniture sets, you will need a liner. Stapling it to the inner surfaces of the box will prevent water leakage and protect the wood. You will want to ensure the liner is fitted tightly right round the water reservoir to improve the function and integrity of your planter. A little extra care here will make a world of difference.

A DIY self-watering planter is no good without the same good quality potting soil you would expect to find in one of your raised beds, so it is time to start loading up. Reach into your wooden compost bin for a potting mix that will be adapted to local plant life and then start scooping it in. You want to layer the soil without excessively compacting it to ensure correct contact with the water reservoir. This is the key step when you want to know how to build a planter box that will work effortlessly.

How do self-watering planters work? They are a combination of science, handiwork and a little bit of maintenance to keep things ticking over. Treated wood, a rain-resistant finish and an annual flushing out of the pipes would be our advice to you.

Your DIY self-watering planter may save you time and effort, but it still needs you to top up the reservoir every now and again. Monitor it closely for the first couple of weeks and you will soon be able to mark the next refill day on the calendar in the kitchen.

A waterlogged DIY gardening planter is no good to anyone because it will eventually cause the plants and the wood to rot. Proper drainage holes with soil that is correctly layered with a small aggregate like a few pebbles from the garden are all that is needed. Nature will do the rest once you have got it correctly set up.

Signs of root rot include stunted growth and perpetually yellow leaves and stems. The issue here is too much water in the soil weakening the plant roots, potentially causing permanent damage. Reduce the moisture level in the soil by ceasing watering for two days and then resuming with a lower flow rate.

A planter with a blocked or perforated drain pipe is no good because the water simply will not get to where it needs to be. Removing the drain pipes from the planter and blowing compressed air down them is a simple way to clear the blockage. Make sure to address any kinks while you are at it.

Your planter may well fall victim to greenflies, aphids, and ladybirds that love to munch on your greenery. There are sprays available from all local garden centers if you decide you want to tackle them with a little human intervention. There are also soil testing kits and mulch packs that will allow you to feed the soil to boost its nutrient profile.

Using your planter for many years is all about moving with the seasons. Increasing the water flow in the summer (you may need to double it) is essential. There is also plenty of cheap insulation options to wrap the side of the planter in the winter. Use some lagging to prevent the water in the soil from freezing and your plants will thank you for it.

There is so many different green shoots you can bring to life in your planter that you really are spoiled for choice. We are going to go through three key categories so that you can see what your options are.

We hope you have enjoyed our guide to “How to build a planter box” for self-watering plants and avoid the need for a watering can. We started by providing five reasons why you should choose a self-watering planter box for your garden. If you find yourself wondering “How do self-watering planters work?”, we hope the next section has explained the science behind the process.

We also provide all the materials and tools you will need whether you are planning to build a small or large self-watering planter. The meat of the article is in the step-by-step process, in which four steps cover all aspects including ensuring healthy plant roots, creating a suitable potting mix, the importance of drainage holes, as well as keeping your watering tube clear.

As if that is not enough, we have also given some essential maintenance tips as well as the best plants to grow, including vegetables, herbs and fruits.