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How to Build a Sub-Irrigated Stock Tank Planter

Updated: Jan 20

What is sub-irrigation?

Sub-irrigation is the process of watering plants from below, instead of above. The sub-irrigated planter works when you pour water into the fill-tube, and it flows down into a reservoir below the soil. Once the chamber is full, the water wicks up through the landscape fabric and soil, seeping into the plants’ roots. This system helps to keep soil consistently moist, preventing evaporation from the topsoil, so you won’t have to water as often. This also allows the plant’s roots to grow deep and keeps the plant sturdy.


Sub-Irrigated Stock Tank Planter
Sub-Irrigated Stock Tank Planter


MATERIALS

  • galvanized steel stock tank (sizes vary but 6’L x’ 2’W x 2’H recommended)

  • 3 pieces of 2 ft. long 2x4 treated lumber (must withstand weathering)

  • 2 ft. long, 1 inch diameter rigid PVC pipe and cap for fill-tube

  • 1 pipe clip + screws or 1 long screw (1 ¼ inch) to hold the pipe in place

  • course size gravel, enough to fill the tank about 3 inches deep

  • landscape fabric, long enough to cover the gravel and line the sides of the tank

  • soil to fill the tank


TOOLS

  • drills + drill bits

  • measuring tape

  • scissors


BUILDING THE PLANTER


Step 1: Drill a drainage hole at least an inch in diameter about 2 inches from the bottom of the tank.


Step 2: Cut one end of the PVC pipe at a diagonal so that the pipe doesn’t sit flat against the bottom of the tank.


Step 3: Attach the PVC pipe against the side of the inside of the tank using the pipe clip + screws or the long screw opposite the drainage hole.


Step 4:

Place the tank on top of the wooden supports on leveled ground.


Step 5: Cover the drainage hole with a small piece of landscape fabric then fill the tank with gravel about 3 inches high.





Step 6: Cover the gravel with landscape fabric to keep the soil separate from the gravel. Use enough landscape fabric to line the inside of the tank as well as covering the gravel and fill-tube.




Step 7: Fill the tank with soil.







Step 8: Trim the excess landscape fabric so it’s flush against the top of the tank.


Step 9: Plant, water, and watch your plants grow!





Important things to note:

• The landscape fabric prevents soil from clogging up the spaces between the gravel.

• Dense soil will not work well in this system. To keep soil lightweight and well-aerated, use a mixture of compost, vermiculite, peat, and sand.

• The drainage hole helps you figure out how much water to pour into the fill tube. When water flows out of the drainage hole, the reservoir is full.

• The planter needs to be leveled. If you don't have level ground, you can use the 2x4 wood, bricks, stones, or other materials to make the planter level.


Download the Instructions:



*This guide was adapted from growpittsburgh.org

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