How to Build Water Reservoir for Wood Planter

A water reservoir in a wood planter is a great addition to help pot plants thrive. It ensures that plants have enough water and hydrated soil without the need for frequent watering. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to build a water reservoir for wood planter:

What You Will Need

To build a water reservoir for wood planter, you will need:

Wood planter box

Landscape fabric

Plastic pond liner

Pebbles or gravel

Potting soil

Drill

Saw

Scissors

Tape measure

Marker

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Measure and Cut the Liner and Landscape Fabric

Measure the inside of your wood planter box to get the length, width and depth. Cut the plastic pond liner and the landscape fabric to size so that they cover the entire inside of the planter box, including the sides and bottom.

Step 2: Leave Space Around the Reservoir

Leave an inch of space around the edges of the pond liner to make sure that water can flow to the sides and not leak out. Use the scissors to trim the liner accordingly.

Step 3: Drill Holes at the Bottom

Next, drill several small holes in the bottom of the planter box so that the water can drain. These holes will allow excess water to escape and prevent the roots of your plants from becoming waterlogged.

Step 4: Create the Reservoir

Add a layer of pebbles or gravel to the bottom of the planter box. This will serve as the base of the water reservoir. The layer should be around an inch thick.

Step 5: Place the Liner and Fabric

Next, carefully place the plastic pond liner in the bottom of the planter box, making sure it covers the entire bottom and sides. Then, place the landscape fabric over the liner.

Step 6: Start filling with Potting Soil

Begin filling the planter box with potting soil but leave a gap of about an inch between the soil and the top edge of the box. This gap is necessary to ensure that water can be added later through the top without overflowing.

Step 7: Finish the Reservoir with More Soil

After the gap is made, continue filling the planter with more potting soil until it meets the desired planting depth. Make sure to tamp down the soil gently so that it is compact and doesn’t shift.

Step 8: Water Your Plants

The water reservoir is now created. Simply water your plants as usual and watch them thrive with the added benefits a water reservoir provides.

Conclusion

Building a water reservoir for your wood planter box is an easy process that provides a lot of benefits to your potted plants. It saves you time and energy while ensuring that your plants stay hydrated and healthy. Follow the above guide, and you will be on your way to creating the perfect planter box with a built-in water reservoir.