Introduction

Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants to grow in a garden, and for good reason. They're easy to cultivate, taste delicious, and offer a host of health benefits. However, growing tomatoes can be a bit challenging if you don't have the right equipment, especially if you live in a dry climate. One way to make watering your tomato plants easier is to build a self-watering planter. In this article, we'll show you how to build your own tomato planter.

What You'll Need

Before you start building your tomato planter, you'll need to gather the following materials:

A large plastic container with a lid (a storage bin or laundry basket will work well)

A smaller container with a lid (such as a coffee can or plastic jar)

PVC pipe (1 inch in diameter)

A plastic end cap to fit the PVC pipe

Landscape fabric or mesh screen

A drill

A utility knife or scissors

A ruler

A pencil or marker

Step-by-step Instructions

Now that you have all of your materials, it's time to start building your tomato planter:

Step 1: Prepare the Large Container

Drill several small holes in the bottom of the large container for drainage. Then, place a layer of landscape fabric or mesh screen over the holes to prevent soil from washing out.

Step 2: Prepare the Small Container

Drill a small hole near the bottom of the small container. This hole should be just large enough to fit the PVC pipe through. Then, place a layer of landscape fabric or mesh screen over the bottom of the container.

Step 3: Install the PVC Pipe

Insert the PVC pipe through the small hole in the bottom of the small container until it comes out the top. Then, insert the end cap onto the top of the pipe.

Step 4: Arrange the Containers

Place the small container inside the large container, making sure that the PVC pipe is centered and goes through the landscape fabric or mesh screen. If your containers don't fit snugly together, you can use pieces of foam or other material to fill any gaps.

Step 5: Add Soil and Plants

Fill the large container with potting soil until it's about an inch below the lip. Then, plant your tomatoes in the soil. Make sure that the soil is firmly packed around the plants.

Step 6: Add Water

Fill the small container with water and replace the lid. The water will seep out of the PVC pipe and into the soil, keeping your plants hydrated. Check the small container regularly to make sure that it has enough water.

Conclusion

By following these simple steps, you can build a self-watering planter for your tomatoes. Not only will this make watering your plants easier, it will also help keep them healthy and thriving. Happy gardening!