Homemade Large Self Watering Container Gardening with Rain Barrel for Automatic Watering

This video features a self-watering strawberry patch using a combination of self-watering techniques and rainwater catchment system.

In the desert, plants that are not adapted to the dry hot climate require lots of water. Watering from underneath allows the plant to determine how much water it needs and ensures greater efficiency of water usage while minimizing evaporation.

Self-watering pots are pots where plants are watered from the bottom up. This allows the plant to determine on its own how much water it would like to drink.

The family uses items found around the property. The construction includes a plastic 55-gallon barrel cut in half, a float attached to the rain barrel system, a piece of wire fencing, a black plastic pipe for checking water level, and old sunshade material.

The plants are watered to start the wicking process, and straw is added to help hold moisture and prevent evaporation. The strawberries are protected from birds and rabbits using chicken wire held down by bricks.

When it rains, the rainwater fills the rain barrels, and a float maintains the water level. The plants then reach down and grab the water they need to grow and produce fruit.

These videos are not intended to show anyone how to do something, but rather to spark ideas and simply share what the family is doing.