Built this sub-irrigated planter (SIP) as a Mother’s Day gift. My costs were $15 for materials, plus potting mix and plants. I detail materials, building instructions, and some basic do’s and don’ts.
Materials:
14″ pot with no holes (High Density Polyethylene, UV resistant)
About 2′ perforated drainage pipe (flexible/expandable)
12″+ length of tube (water fill tube)
Plastic grocery bag or landscape fabric
String
A few small rocks
Garden lime (dolomite)
Plant food (organic is safer for the plants)
Potting mix
Plants
Tools:
Dremel or other cutting tool
Scissors
16 Comments
Perfect DIY SIP setup, Thanks
JJB
this is a really great idea! wonder if i could do the same thing with the black tubing on bottom of a small wooden planter box? hmmmm.
New sub. Liked the video. Great design 🙂
Loved your video. Question though. Now that the growing season finished, how well did the pots really work??? Did you have to do any tip watering? Before I try this method, I need reassurance that the plant's roots were able to reach the moisture. That the water did wick to the top of the planter where the roots are. Question 2: how often did you have to water your pot's bottom; know when it needed refilling? I look forward to your answers and to seeing if this is worth trying in the spring.
nice video
shes pretty smart for a woman.ha
Great idea! How often do you add water?
I would highly recommend putting a fine screen on the water pipe. Mosquitoes WILL fly down and lay eggs in the water.
One thing may want to consider is cut a 45 degree angle on the bottom of your pipe it will help your water flow
A great idea. how do you know when to fill watter again?
No mulch cover? No probiotics? Your water will get stinky
what about the chemicals leeching from PVC in general? i am thinking about using hydroponic clay and a layer of landscape fabric between it and the soil.
Well done! Thanks for sharing this tutorial.
Thank you so much for doing this. Best DIY video on how to build a SIP, great assembly instructions and demonstration on how it works. I really wish your channel would take off because you're a wonderful teacher.
I've found awesome plans on woodprix . just check them out.
Very nice design. I do a similar method. In 5 gallon buckets i use the 4 inch pipe bigger tubs like 18 gallon i use 6 inch pipe. Sometimes I'll use the 2 technique. The important thing some people get wrong is they don't have a layer of air between the water and soil 1 inch is all that's needed.