Wine box wicking planter boxes

Welcome to my 'ible!!  Over the winter, I aquired a couple of wine boxes from a local wine shop with plans on turning them into decorative planters for my deck.  While browsing around Instructables for raised bed garden box ideas (another project in itself...), I saw a couple instructables that integrated wicking type systems and thought that here in the high desert, that sounded like a great idea.  Well the raised bed garden boxes aren't coming along like I planned.  Since the planting season is well upon us, I decided to use the wine boxes as mini raised bed planters for my patio.  I also decided to incorporate a wicking/self-watering system into them.  I am just starting with lettuce and strawberries to see how well the system overall works for the long haul over the summer.  I figure this will be a good trial for the wicking system for when I finally DO get around to doing full size 4x4 planting beds.

Step 1: Supplies

First step was a trip to the local hardware store for the supplies.  I purchased enough supplies for 3 boxes as you can see in the photo.  The below list is what I gathered.  The more you can dig out of your garage the cheaper it will be.  Most of the supplies were purchased and cost less than $20 to fit and fill all 3 boxes.


-Wine Boxes
- A couple feet of 3/4" PVC pipe (lenght will vary based on the height of YOUR boxes of course)
- 3 3/4" PVC caps (not absolutley necessary, but helps keep dirt out when filling)
- 3 3/4" PVC couplers.  I used ones with a smaller threaded male end and a smooth 3/4" female end.
- 1 Roll of Duct Tape
- 1 Roll of 2 mil plastic sheeting 
- Hacksaw
- Silver marker
- Scissors & Box knife
- Measuring tape
- 1 10ft length of perforated irrigation pipe 3" dia.
- 1 bag of organic garden soil

Comments

[alaaji]

Question: Is it necessary to have two pieces of drainage pipe in each box? Would it work with just one or is there an advantage to having two?

[star1270]

Two provides a larger under dirt reservoir for water storage. With only one, you would just need to fill it more often. One could also be used if you were planting something that had a larger root structure, like carrots. I would put the reservoir on say the left, and plant something will smaller roots above the reservoir, then plant the carrots on the right where there would be more dirt, just remember the dirt will be waterlogged on the bottom so you would want to use a taller container so the roots don't rot.

[tholopotami]

I like the execution and the final result! I intend to do something similar.
A question: . I am not quite sure I understood how the conduit pipes supply water. You fill them with water and then they leek from their ends to the soil? You make any more holes on them? What about the excess water?

[tholopotami]

Do you fill them both?

[star1270]

I will try to answer both comments...

Both of the corrugated pipes on the bottom? Yes they both get filled. But they are filled with only the one fill tube. The corrugated pipes are perforated with slits by the manufacturer and open on the ends. They are against the side of the wine box, but not water tight. So when you fill thru the one fill tube, the water seeps out that pipe through the perforations (and open ends), through the dirt inbetween them, and seeps into the 2nd tube through the perforations and open ends in it. Hopefully that explains a bit better. I will try to attach a close up image of the perforations in the pipe... The water that is sitting in the bottom will wick up thru the dirt and keep the roots of the plant wet. If you are afraid of excess water, you can put the drain hole in the side (maybe 2-1/2" up from the bottom). When filling, once water starts dripping out the drain hole, you will know to stop adding water. Also, if it rains, any excess water will drain out the hole also so you don't end up with a soupy mess of mud.

[tholopotami]

Now it makes sense. Thank you for your prompt answer.

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Awesome! This makes for a really cute planter!