If you're someone who forgets to water your plants, this hack might help.
Gardening experts share the DIY hacks they use to grow their own herbs.
Sarah Tracy (@onagardenkick) demonstrated how to create a “self-watering flock garden” in a viral video.
The Instagrammer used a “$7 terracotta pot for watering.”
As a first step, Sarah filled the planter with potting soil, sand, and vermiculite.
She mixed the three ingredients together and then leveled the soil on the surface.
Read more gardening hacks
Next, Sarah dug a hole, placed a small terracotta pot in it, and filled the area around it with more potting mix.
She used a wine cork to partially cover the hole in the bottom of the small pot.
Next, I planted herbs such as rosemary, basil, parsley, oregano, and dill around the pot.
“Press firmly but gently so the roots are in good contact with the soil,” she advised the audience.
Sarah first watered the soil to help the plants settle into place in the planter.
But once the herbs were firmly in place, she revealed a new way to water the planters.
She filled the terracotta pot with water to the brim and slowly let it soak into the soil.
Sarah covered the terracotta pot with a matching saucer to keep the water draining.
“Eventually, the roots will grow, [the pot] Water seeps into the plants through the terracotta,” she explained.
She recommended refilling the terracotta pot with water every two to three days or as needed.
Sarah explained that her method, known as ora, was used as an “ancient” method of irrigation.
Easy gardening tips to save money, maximize space and prevent pests
*If you click on the links in this article, we may earn affiliate income.
- Banana peels, vinegar, and coffee grounds are often recommended as natural fertilizers.
- Dollar Tree sells 4 packs of seeds for $1.25.
- To get more out of a small space, try a vertical planter like the Mr. Stacky 5 Tier Stackable Planter ($35) from Amazon.
- To prevent insects from eating your vegetables, use netting like the Garden Netting Pest Barrier ($8) on Amazon.
- Try sacrificial planting to reduce pesticide use and keep pests out of your garden. Intentionally growing certain plants to attract agricultural pests can keep them away from the plants you want to protect. Examples include marigolds, lavender, catnip, and chives.
- For those pesky weeds in your garden, Amazon's Grampa's Weeder – The Original Stand-Up Weed Puller Tool with Long Handles ($45) is a great tool that you can use without having to bend over.
She suggested choosing a clay pot for long-lasting water and making sure to plug the drainage holes.
Her followers shared their thoughts on the unique technique in the comments section.
One viewer wrote: “Interesting! I've never heard of anything like this. I'm so glad you shared it! Thank you.”
Another Instagram user said: “I bought Ola as a gift for my friend. She loves it and has it on her tomato bed. Huge tomatoes and lots of tomatoes. I'm going to try your DIY now.” Ta.
“Ola is the best automatic watering system for plants. Water released slowly through terracotta = plants are happiest,” commented a third party.