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== Construction == | == Construction == | ||
A simple SIP has three major parts: a container for soil | A simple SIP has three major parts: | ||
* a container for soil; | |||
* a container for water; and | |||
* a wick that allows water to be drawn from the water container into the soil container. | |||
The wick (typically made of fabric or polyester) draws water up into the soil through capillary action, where the plant roots absorb it at an appropriate rate for the plant. | |||
Aeration holes in the soil container, combined with overflow holes in the water container, help prevent the soil from becoming too wet (which may cause the plant roots to rot.) | |||
This diagram shows the major parts of a simple SIP made from a plastic pop bottle. | This diagram shows the major parts of a simple SIP made from a plastic pop bottle. | ||
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[[Image:Illustration-pop-bottle-sub-irrigated_planter.png]] | [[Image:Illustration-pop-bottle-sub-irrigated_planter.png]] | ||
Revision as of 00:19, 3 May 2009
Sub-irrigated planters (SIP) are simple devices that allow low-maintenance, low-water consumption container gardening.
Construction
A simple SIP has three major parts:
- a container for soil;
- a container for water; and
- a wick that allows water to be drawn from the water container into the soil container.
The wick (typically made of fabric or polyester) draws water up into the soil through capillary action, where the plant roots absorb it at an appropriate rate for the plant.
Aeration holes in the soil container, combined with overflow holes in the water container, help prevent the soil from becoming too wet (which may cause the plant roots to rot.)
This diagram shows the major parts of a simple SIP made from a plastic pop bottle.
For instructions on making SIPs from plastic pop bottles, visit:
http://suresimple.blogspot.com/2009/04/recycling-juice-and-pop-bottles-as-sips.html