When I jumped into tomato growing this season for the first time, I was enabled by the realization about SIPs or SWCs (Self-Irrigating Planters; Self-Watering Planters). I wasn't all that keen on shelling out $60 for a pair of Grow Boxes, so when I came across these SWC's at Home Depot for just under $8 a piece, I thought I'd give them a go.
The label reads:
Self-watering reservoir lets you feed your plant from the roots up.
Plant absorbs the precise amount of water it needs every time.
Easy access reservoir allows you to monitor water levels and water less frequently.
Unfortunately, I goofed a bit and ended up using top soil instead of potting mix. Still, the soil had a really good foundation of fertilizer and so far the plants seem to be doing pretty well with it. I have a layer of mulch on the surface to help prevent soil splash, retain moisture, and reduce weeds. If these work out I'll utilize them again next year, but I may be tempted to go with larger pots if my living situation changes next year.
