Who’s Watering the Plants?

As we round out the summer, people are squeezing in their final (or only) vacation before school is back in session and the weather chills out this fall. From packing everything to planning out your itinerary, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to vacation. If you have a garden that you’re proud of or even a few houseplants that are thriving this summer, you’re probably trying to figure out who is available and willing to water your precious plants while you’re away. Instead of paying the neighborhood kids, try a few of these self-watering options in your garden.

Self-Watering Conversion Kit

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This is a great solution for potted plants and houseplants that need a little love while you’re relaxing on the beach. You can grab a self-watering conversion kit to fit most pots. The system works by letting the plant perch above a water reserve that it will use to stay hydrated.

DIY Water Bottle Water System

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Water your plants while helping the environment by recycling an old plastic water bottle. It’s as easy as filling the bottle with water and plunging the open end into the soil. When the soil needs moisture, the water will dispense. Keep the top of the water bottle open to easily add more water. Learn more about this DIY project here.

DIY Wine Bottle Water System

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If a plastic water bottle in your plants doesn’t sound appealing to you, try using the same DIY hack with a bottle of wine (empty, of course!). This is a great and slightly more visually appealing option for plants that need the attention. Look into attachments for the wine bottle to help regulate the flow of water.

Watering Globe

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An even more aesthetic option, the watering globe adds fun character to your potted plants and takes the chore out of watering regularly. You can purchase watering globes in a variety of colors and styles. Here are a few affordable options worth exploring.

DIY Plastic Bag Watering System

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For more sensitive plants that need a slower water release, this is a great life hack. Instead of flooding the pot with water when it needs it, this system drips water more steadily to keep any over-watering issues at bay. Learn how to do it yourself here. 

Self-Timed Sprinkler System

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For large outdoor gardens, it may be a good idea to invest in a high-quality sprinkler system that you can set timings for. This system is a bit of an investment, but definitely worth it in the long run. If cost is a concern, check out this affordable set up.