How To Make A Sub-Irrigation Planter For Your Balcony

I don't know about you, but I have been super busy working on my garden these last few weeks. It may not seem like something that would take that long to do, but gardening is actually a lot of work! Weeding alone can take hours, and planning where everything will go while also making sure you have the correct growing conditions for each plant only adds to the workload. Even though it's been exhausting, I'm happy with the results so far and one of my next projects is planting my vegetable garden, which I am really excited about. I've always loved the idea of being able to walk out into my backyard to pick an assortment of fresh veggies for snacks and meals. 

If you have always dreamed of having your own set of gardens, whether they're for flowers, herbs, fruits, or vegetables, but don't have a large outdoor space to work with, don't give up! Even without grassy space, a plentiful garden can still be achieved using a few simple materials to create a sub-irrigation planter, which is perfect for small decks and narrow balconies. To find out how to create one, check out the tutorial below.  

What You Need

• 18-gallon storage tote
  
• 4 half gallon milk jugs
  
• 1 tall plastic bottle
  
• Hobby knife
  
• Ballpoint pen
• Drill with a ½ inch bit 
  
• Potting soil
• Vermiculite (optional)
• Plants (your choice)
• Water

Step 1

Start by puncturing one side of each milk jug with your hobby knife, covering it with small holes. Use a ballpoint pen to widen the holes and push any remaining plastic out of the way. These will become reservoir entry points for your plant's roots. 

Step 2

Create a larger hole on one side of each milk jug. These will be used to connect everything together, so you'll want to make a stencil using the mouths of the jugs for proper sizing.

Step 3

Next, cut long slits through another side of each jug. These thin, rectangular openings will sit on the bottom of your planter and allow accumulated water to enter the jugs, watering your plant's roots.

Step 4

Connect all four jugs together by pushing each neck into one of the large holes you created. It may be a bit difficult at first, but because the plastic is so flexible, it will allow you to insert the entire neck and lock everything in place.

Step 5

Create a second stencil with the mouth of your tall plastic bottle and use it to cut another hole into the top of one milk jug.

Step 6

Cut off the bottom of your plastic bottle with your hobby knife or a pair of scissors.

Step 7

Insert your plastic bottle into the milk jug and make sure everything is nicely secured.

Step 8

To ensure your planter drains properly, use a drill and ½ inch bit to create a set of holes on each side of the plastic tote. Place the set of milk jugs on the bottom of your tote, measure their height, and add approximately one inch. This will give you the proper location to drill the drainage holes.

Step 9

Create four holes on the longer side and three along the shorter ones.

Step 10

Fill the bottom of your tote with approximately one inch of soil. If you want, you can add a bit of vermiculite to make it more porous. 

Step 11

Place the milk jug + plastic bottle reservoir on top and then fill the rest of your tote with more soil.

Step 12

All that's left to do is plant your favorite herbs, vegetables, and fruits! To water them, add to the reservoir using the plastic bottle and check the water level from time to time by looking down into it. The best part about planters like this is that they can be used to grow a number of different things, including tomatoes, peppers, melons, strawberries, and raspberries! 

h/t Imgur / ikewulf