Secular Charlotte Mason

Items needed:

2 tubs or bins of the same size

1 or 2 funnels

pencil or marker

something strong enough to cut the bins

There are many different ways of making these.  This is the easiest I could come up with and is really a combination of two methods-one from the Urban Homesteader and one from a spring issue of Mother Earth News.  You can use those ubiquitus plastic buckets (our local greasy spoon/fast food place sells them fro 2 dollars) but I prefer the larger and more flexible reactangular storage tubs that folks usually use for toys or Christmas decorations.

If your tubs are small or you are using a bucket you will need one bigger funnel.  If you use a large bin or bucket you may need 2 medium sized funnels (it's better to have too many than not enough!).

1. Take the funnel and use it to trace a circle onto the middle of the bottom of one of your tubs. For a big tub make two circles, more near the edges of the tub, but not too close to the edge.

2. Now cut out the circles slightly smaller than you actually drew them (trust me this will make sense further into the process)

3. Now set the other tub inside the one you just cut.  If your funnel is too long cut the tip shorter.  If you want a bigger reservoir of water you can use rocks or blocks to prop the inside tub up higher (this is what I did with my really water thirsty veggies). If you are afraid that dirt may clog your funnel just protect it like you would any container plant (ie. pot shards, coffee filters, pea gravel, etc.).

4. Depending on how exactly your bucket.tubs fit together you may or may not need to cut a hole just above your reservoir. If you can fit a hose into your reservoir tub from the top (I just slide mine between the tops of my two tubs) and your plants are fairly water thirsty you will not need to cut a hole.  If you can't get a hose to your resrvoir or you are afraid of waterlogging your plants cut a 1" square in the outside tub just above the water line in your reservoir.  This will allow you to add water and will allow excess water to drain out.

Your final product will be two tubs nested together with the funnels connecting them and allowing the water to flow from the bottom/outside tub to the top/inside tub.You are now ready to add dirt and plants.

Oregon has had just enough rain that I haven't had to water my self-watering containers since I planted them 6 weeks ago.  During the height of our dry spells (it's like a desert here in summer and like monsoons in winter) I should only have to water once every two weeks.