Self-Watering Planters Save Time, Money, Resources

    WINNIPEG, MB, May 07, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Spring has sprung, but it's not too late for landscapers, parks crews and backyard enthusiasts to find the best planters and containers for their beautification efforts.

While selecting the right plants to ensure a variety of colors and sizes, as well as to achieve specific goals is important, planners also can look to save money and time with the selection of the right planter.

"Switching to self-watering containers can save a city, park system or commercial property up to 80% of the costs associated with planters," said Mari-Lynn Rougeau, controller for Winnipeg-based Equinox Industries Ltd.

"The savings are significant enough that self-watering planters will typically pay for themselves in a single season of usage," she said.

Rougeau attributed the savings to:
- Lower water consumption
- Decreased fuel usage to get staff to the planters to maintain them
- Fewer weeds - no need to have workers inspecting planters and pulling unwanted foliage
- Less frequent watering

"For instance, typical hanging planters require watering every day, but well-designed self-watering hanging planters need to be watered just once a week," Rougeau said, "and large sub-irrigated outdoor planters can be watered once a month or even less frequently, a substantial decrease compared with the typical twice-a-week watering required for similarly sized standard containers."

The unique design of sub-irrigated containers is the reason behind these savings, she said. A carefully engineered self-watering planter has a double hull that creates a reservoir at the bottom of each container. A tube that protrudes above the soil allows the reservoir to be filled, while filter columns that extend into the reservoir allow the soil to absorb the water as needed.

An overflow drain ensures that the plants can't be overwatered.

The advantages extend beyond cost savings, Rougeau said, noting that a well-designed sub-irrigated planter also promotes healthy, rapid plant growth by ensuring plant roots always have access to water. At the same time, the ground surface remains dry, discouraging the growth of weeds, which hinder plant growth.

"Combined, these factors decrease the need to purchase and plant replacement specimens, freeing up time and money for other priorities," she said.

Self-watering containers also are a boon the environment, simply because they conserve so much water.

"The fact that landscaping and parks crews travel less frequently to water plants translates into further environmental benefits, including, lower fuel usage, fewer greenhouse gases and a smaller carbon footprint," Rougeau said.

"Some manufacturers up the ante by producing self-watering planters made with as much as 60% recycled material, saving both landfill space and virgin materials," she added.

Although their savings likely wouldn't be as dramatic as those for municipalities and park systems, homeowners still can save money on their water bills by switching to self-watering containers, Rougeau said. "Plus, they get the satisfaction of knowing their landscaping choices benefit the environment."

Established in 1972, Equinox Industries is a leading manufacturer of outdoor products, including fiberglass and thermoplastic tanks for a variety of materials, waste management containers, cargo and passenger sleds, rescue products and self-watering planters. Visit one of their websites or call toll-free (1-800-665-7487 in Canada, or 1-800-563-3352 in the U.S.) to learn more.

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