Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers: Using Ed's Amazing POTS System

by Edward C. Smith

Shiny green cucumbers; firm, juicy tomatoes; baby lettuces handpicked one salad at a time—these are the tasty benefits of the backyard vegetable garden. But earth gardens are a lot of work. They require a plot of plantable land and a significant time commitment to sowing, watering, weeding, and tending each plant.

Is there a solution? Self-watering containers allow vegetable gardeners—from the casual weekender interested in a tomato plant or two to the very dedicated gardener with limited space—to grow richly producing plants in a controlled, low-maintenance environment.

Lifelong gardener Ed Smith became fascinated with the possibilities of self-watering containers and began testing dozens of vegetables in various containers, experimenting with nutrients, soil mixtures, plant varieties, and container positioning. Now Smith is here to tell gardeners that anyone can grow and enjoy wonderful organic vegetables, using pots with continuous- flow watering systems.

Smith shares advice on choosing appropriate containers, how to provide balanced nutrition using his secret soil formula, and what additional tools benefit the container gardener. The reader will also find advice on starting from seed versus buying plants, which vegetables thrive in containers and which might be a bit more challenging, along with space-saving tips on pairing plants in single containers. After the last green tomato has been picked and is ripening on the windowsill, Smith wraps everything up with a chapter on fall clean-up and preparing for next spring. Now there’s really no excuse for store-bought tomatoes!

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Green, Food

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Edward C. Smith tends a garden of over 1,500 square feet filled with raspberries, blueberries, flowers, herbs, and nearly 100 varieties of vegetables, including some heirlooms, in his home state of Vermont.

Reviews

[La Crosse County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally published May 2006

I don’t know about you, but this time of year makes me want to go outside and play in the dirt (with my plants and flowers that is)! 

We have a really unique book at the library. It’s called Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers by Edward C. Smith. He tells about a totally different way of growing flowers, plants, and even vegetables outside. He plants everything in pots and does the self-watering thing.

All it takes is a pot with drainage holes in the bottom and for that to be set into some kind of reservoir. As long as there is water in the reservoir, soil in a self-watering container will not dry out. By doing it this way, he believes that you will have to water a lot less frequently, and your plants will be much more healthy because the soil will not become totally dry, which is very hard on your plants.

In years that we have too little rain, he says that tomatoes and peppers especially will grow much better this way. He also says that potted plants are less likely to be bothered by diseases or pests and there are almost no weeds to deal with. That sounds like the “best” part to me!!! 

I am going to give this a try, how about you? So, let’s go play in the dirt!!!

See also:

And if you want to make some really cool pots for your plants, check out the book Jazzy Pots by Mickey Baskett. It has many “jazzy” ideas in how to use decoupage, stenciling, or crackling for a beautiful looking garden.

Stop in at any of your La Crosse County Libraries, which include Bangor, Campbell, Holmen, Onalaska, and West Salem and check out our gardening books. There is always something for everyone!

Find this book and other titles within our catalog.

[Magen - Inquiring Professional Dog Trainer]

I did not "read" this but compared it side by side with The Vegetable Gardner's Container Bible by Edward Smith, and functionally they are the same, word for word in most cases. As I finish moving through the Container Bible book, I'll update this review to reflect any important information in this book that wasn't carried over into his later Container Bible.

Note to self: marked as read for reference, but not counted toward 2022 reading challenge

[Didi Delighted · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to be completely honest with you here- I gave this book four stars solely based on the pictures and the pleasing layout. There is a section in this book depicting some arrangements for herb/veggie gardens in large self watering containers, and I was inspired by the combinations of plants. I picked up this book because I want to plant some shade dwelling greens and herbs in my craft room, and was searching for some pointers and inspiration. This book delivered, and fulfilled my own personal needs. But I want to tell you true, there is nothing particularly innovative or original about the information you will find in here. Want to know this fella's "POTS" system? Go to the store and buy self watering containers, and then plant herbs and veggies in them. There really isn't much of a system. The author shares a fertilizer formula, but NOWHERE in this book does he tell you how to make your own self watering containers. If you want information on creating self watering containers yourself, don't bother with this. Google it, because you can get it free online, and there are very good you tube videos on how to make self watering containers. The author mentions a kit that will convert regular pots into self watering containers, but he doesn't bother informing us where to purchase or order them. That's a pretty big blunder, in my opinion, and really I ought to give this one three stars... but... I got what I wanted out of the whole deal, so the fourth star must be handed out! If you are a newbie grower with a porch, balcony, or some indoor space who is looking to grow herbs and veggies in self watering containers this book isn't a bad pick. Like I said, the layout is great, and the information provided is easy to comprehend and follow. The author does a good job telling about how to plant and when to harvest, and covers pest control, etc. The major mistake was mentioning his "POTS" system on the cover. It gives one the impression of, well, you know, that maybe this dude hand crafts these cool containers and is going to show us how to do it as well. Still, he seems like a nice guy, and if you are a visual person like me you might get something out of reading this.

[molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a helpful book and I found it very informative and inspiring. However, it does not go into detail on how to create your own self-watering containers. For that simply use your favorite search engine, there are a few good step by step guides. Or once you get the general idea you can just wing which is what I did with varying results. :/ But actually slugs were my main problem and not the watering system.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some useful information, but I expected more than one page about making your own self-watering containers. Not sure I'll want to spend the money to buy one, but don't feel confident enough to make my own.

Oh, and this book could use some bullet points. Too much reading paragraphs just to find the list of things I need to know...I heart bullet points!

[Jacinta Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best gardening book I've read to date. Easy to read, with lots of photos. Helpful info whether you're new to gardening or have been for a while. Section on herbs, pests (and avoiding pesticides), composting and more.

[Jennifer Heise]

While I didn't have time to read the whole book, this is a good resource-- not so much for people who want to make their own self-watering containers, but for people who are interested in growing herbs and vegetables in self-watering containers, in fact in containers at all. (so don't expect instructions for DIY self-watering pots-- you'll need a different book for that.)

Beautiful large photos showing different types of plants, advice about choice of dirt/compost, timing of watering, harvesting and dealing with the pots at the end of the season.

Half the book is specific advice for specific plants from artichokes (!) to winter squash, as well as a few herbs. He explains whether the plant does better in a traditional or self watering pot, what size to use, what planting medium and care it needs, and when/how to harvest. I was pleased to see he recommends traditional pots for thyme and rosemary, which hate hate hate wet feet. A great resource for container gardening.

[Megalion · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thoughts from approx 1/3rd through the book. Very repetitive and mostly full of information not specific for self-watering containers or how to set one up. There was a very brief explanation that appeared to be how to put together a kit (which would have come with instructions!!) but I've yet to see any information detailing how to put it together yourself that isn't already intuitive.

He does talk about the importance of soil's ability to retain water. The space/water needs of various vegetables. Points out that some plants, namely in the herb realm, NEED to be distressed from lack of water so they should not be planted in self-watering containers.

What has me particularly frustrated is that he's shown several times that he uses something to show water levels in the reservoir but says nothing about WHAT exactly he uses and how to make sure it's set up right.

Will update more as I read but so far this book seems like 90% filler. Not worth a buy.

Update 12/2013: Have decided it's not worth finishing. Will skim later to see if there ever was any "new" information that would have made this worthwhile after all.

[Shanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book I was all set to start a self-watering container garden--as soon as possible. Then I really started to investigate the prices on these particular types of containers, and it can get pretty step. So I was a little dishearted. I have researched on the internet and found some guides to making self-watering containers, but unfortunately many of them are not very pretty to look at (they involve 5 gallon buckets or large Rubbermaid style containers). So I am a little torn on what to do. I may still start a self-watering container garden--but more slowly then originally planned. Buying pots here and there. In the book, he does show on one page how to turn a regular pot into a self-watering pot by using a ready made insert, but I have not been able to find these inserts yet. So if they are cheaper that might be a option as well.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is wonderful for anyone in my position- a desire to enjoy a small vegetable garden- no good place to put an in-ground one. This book introduced me to container gardening using self-watering containers. They are a lifesaver (for the plants) in our hot Texas climate. I only need to add water to the reservoirs once a week, and the thirsty tomatoes and peppers get all the water they need! This year I am trying cherry tomatoes, lemon cucumbers, jalepenos, lots of basil, strawberries, mint, dwarf sunflowers, bachelor buttons, Johnny Jump Ups, nasturtiums, chives, sage, and parsley all in self-watering containers! I can grow all this in my sunny gravel-bottomed dog run! Love this book!

[Ethel Margaret]

I like Edward Smith's casual writing that reads as if it were a conversation. Biological and chemical phenomena of plant life are described with the novice gardener in mind. I, a novice gardener, appreciate that. I feel I've become a little less anthro-normative, and can begin to imagine from a horti-centric paradigm. I'll be referencing this book as I expand my herb garden with a few vegetables -- beginning by contacting some of the seed places he recommends at the end.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I haven't "read" this from cover to cover (it's more of a hands-on guide to gardening and growing veggies from container gardens), I've read enough to know that it looks really great. GOOD gardening advice! Now, whether or not I'll be ambitious enough to do what it says is another matter, but it's really well put together.

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had REALLY high expectations for this book. Again, I am on the hunt for the ultimate container gardening book and once again, this is not it! Ed's Amazing POTS System is to purchase self-watering inserts. Duh! But he doesn't give any resources of where to purchase. Honestly, I was expecting him to show us how to build his Amazing POTS System. My mistake.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a great book but the need to buy or make special containers is a little intimidating. I want to try making my own & put the book to the test but unfortunately, I moved to an apartment that gets absolutely no sunlight anywhere I am able to keep plants. Maybe in my next home...

[wpjenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great book for renters who would like to grow vegetables with limited space. and a great book for people who water their plants too much or too little. great pictures. it has allot of basic info about organic growing and pest control. very informative.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just as good as his classic The Vegetable Gardener's Bible, which I love. I just read the first half in one sitting. The information is invaluable. He has taken the trial and error out of gardening for us.

[Myrnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a great section on vegetables, herbs, and flowers- when to plant, how to fertilize, how to harvest, how to eat, pests and how to treat them, etc. Really great information, even if you're not planting in containers!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to his Gardener's Bible, but tailored to container gardening. A great resource!

[Sande · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully printed book with some very interesting information. It motivated me to buy some different types of self-watering containers to grow in this 2009 season.

[Katie Matson-Daley]

pretty cool ideas. not sure we're ready for large scale veg farming yet

[Amy]

Good information, would own this book