Glenn, the covering is pretty much unique to the EB system and it's bootleg equivalents. The Gardener Supply Self Watering Container is very similar to the EB, but only uses a red plastic cover for tomatos, everything else skips the cover.

Any of these containers can be used sans cover. They can all be top watered and top fed. The use of the fertilizer strip is to make things really simple for veggies and annual flowers, but it isn't necessary to use the EB that way if you don't want to.

I don't know the first thing about growing fig trees though, so can't advise you on that.

Thanks for your reply.
I'm trying to figure a way to keep the mix moist but not too wet without watering too often. The reliable friends that I have are busy with their own obligations and I don't want to ask them to come over every day or two and water my trees if I'm gone for several days.
I picked up some containers this morning that I think will be suitable for water reservoirs and will try the wick method for bottom watering using a few disposable plants. I should be able to determine if it works sufficiently by the time I'm ready to pot my trees.

Personally, I'm going hydroculture or hydroponics next (no replacing/storing/lifting/mixing/guessing about potting mixes and feeding), but has anyone used or can compare Wal-Mart's self-watering planters with other sw designs in the market place? The WM sw designs are available in the traditional window box-, hanging-, and tub-size planters. An easily removable bottom screen also fits on top a water reservoir. The three differences in designs between the WM's sw planters and the EB units are (on the wal-mart unit): no fertilizer stips used, no upright watering pipe (buttom/side watering spout), and an open system (not covered like EB). WM's sw open models are probably easier to use (watering through a wider buttom watering spout instead of into a narrow upright pipe... unless the planters are positioned low on the ground) and cheaper if the design works well.

Any major mosquito problems or difficulties in keeping the water reservoir clean?

What are the pros and cons? How do the two systems (or any other sw systems) compare in terms of plant health and long-term cost and ease of use and maintenance as in comparison with EB, for example? Thanks.

I've been using the Gardener's Supply boxes, the square ones they seem to have discontinued, the lower rectangular ones, and some EB too, for quite a few years now. I like the ones they've apparently discontinued best (ain't it always the way?) and the rectangular ones almost as much. The EBs this year my son is using for tomatoes and peppers, long after the plastic cover disintegrated. They seem to be reasonably good, but not at least for me as good as the others, and they cost more (a little.) Using a timed-release fertilizer is fine, and I've mulched the ones I've re-done recently and will as I do the rest. So far I've just used bark mulch, but may try pine straw. No real problems with any of them--I grow lots of plants in the ground too, but some things that are supposed to need extra drainage do better in these pots, and I'm not as good as I should be about watering so the 'self-watering' feature is very handy.

but has anyone used or can compare Wal-Mart's self-watering planters with other sw designs in the market place? The WM sw designs are available in the traditional window box-, hanging-, and tub-size planters. An easily removable bottom screen also fits on top a water reservoir.

Wal-Mart changes who they buy from frequently and regionally so it is impossible to say if I know of the specific containers you are familiar with.

Having said that the primary difference between the Wal-Mart SW containers and the Earth Box, Gardener Supply and others is the size of the water reservoir. An Earthbox has a 2 gallon water reservoir and the Gardener Supply box has a 4 gallon water reservoir. The Wal-Mart units usually have a water reservoir measured in quarts, not gallons.

This is the first critical difference. To my way of thinking the only reason to use a SW container is to extend watering intervals.

I have a Wal-Mart self watering trough that is 30" long by 6 inches wide by 6" deep and another trough of the same interior dimensions that isn't self watering. The Wal-Mart self watering unit needs to be watered more often then the non self watering. Sounds backwards, but it's true. The bottom aeration means faster drying out. Not bad for plant health, but bad for those looking to extend watering intervals. I tend to skip any SW design that has a reservoir measured in any increment less than gallons. The three differences in designs between the WM's sw planters and the EB units are (on the wal-mart unit): no fertilizer stips used

Earth Boxes are unique not so much in terms of design, but methodology. They are intended to be covered so no rain top waters and a fertilizer strip consisting of granular, non water soluble fertilizer is placed on top once and that's it for the whole season. Any self watering container can be adapted to the same methodology and it works quite well. It is the ultimate in convenience for those who do not wish to guess over fertilizing how much and how often. no upright watering pipe (buttom/side watering spout), and an open system (not covered like EB). WM's sw open models are probably easier to use (watering through a wider buttom watering spout instead of into a narrow upright pipe... unless the planters are positioned low on the ground) and cheaper if the design works well.

There are significant differences between the Wal-Mart, EB and Gardener Supply Units. With Gardener Supply they have several choices and I refer only to their rectangular self watering unit also sold as a bundle under the name 'Tomato Success Kit'.

The EB has a vertical tube to add water and an overflow hole in the side making overwatering impossible. The Gardener Supply unit is initially a bit trickier and those who do not read instructions will have problems. The aeration screen is supported by 4 pyramidal supports. For indoor use all is well, there is no overflow hole. For outdoor use those 4 pyramidal supports are designed to have a pliers taken to them and the top twisted/pulled off to make openings. This makes overflow holes. This is clearly explained in the included instructions, but many do not read instructions and experience failure due to swamped plants. Sad, but true.

The GS boxes have water gauges that no others have indicating when the reservoir is full.

The Wal-Mart containers are simply filled from the mid or bottom section until the reservoir is full, but again their volume capacity is much smaller than the others making the self watering feature of limited use.

All self watering containers can have a cover and fertilizer strip patterned after the EB instructions to make fertilizing a non issue. All can skip the cover and fertilizer strip.

All can have either a covered (to reduce water loss to evaporation) or uncovered application.

The primary difference is price, potting mix volume and water reservoir capacity.

In my years of using SW containers my opinion is that the Gardener Supply units are the best value. Earth Box units are close second place (they are different dimensions but hold the same volume potting mix, but the GS box holds 2x the water). The Wal-Mart units, like most Wal-Mart products are cheaper and you get what you pay for. The limited water reservoir size makes them not much use as self waterers.

There is another option and it is the Grow Box by Garden Patch. It is roughly the same as the Earth Box, but less money. Unlike GS and EB there is no option for wheels or trellis system and the plastic used isn't as durable under sunlight so they deteriorate faster. Skip them is my advise, again you get what you pay for.

Finally, the last difference I consider worth noting is that the Earth Box is slightly more expensive than the Gardener Supply Box both of which are more pricey than the Wal-Mart crap (and it is crap).

So forget the Wal-Mart crap and between the EB and GS boxes which should you buy?

Here is how I decide.

The GS box has a 4 gallon water reservoir and the EB a 2 allon reservoir. Both hold the same volume potting mix while exact dimensions vary a bit.

I use the GS boxes for tomatos, cucumbers, pumpkins and other water pigs. I use EB for peppers, herbs, beans and annual flowers. Simply put, the more water a plant uses per day the more likely I am to use a GS box over an EB.

The higher the nutrient requirement of the plants the more likely I am to use a GS box over an EB since I can top feed with the GS box.

However, there is only one self watering container system that is fully supported online and that is the Earth Box. They have their own forum with members and employees providing feedback which is of immense value to those new to SW container gardening. EB also has full planting charts detailing how many to plant per box and how to arrange them. Simply put EB goes the extra mile to make one's initial foray into professional SW containers a success.

My advice is for newbies to get Earth Boxes.

Those more seasoned can get GS boxes or make homemade bootleg versions.

Very insightful comments made so far. Thank you all for the excellent user feedback, tips, and product reviews.

I am wondering if there are advantages of having sw planters with smaller water reserviors, such as a high-traffic large balcony garden that may have weight/structural concerns of keeping gallons of water at one time or sheltered house plants that have slower respiration rates. Differences in growing medium used and closed/open systems aside, how many days will one gallon of water reservoir last conservatively before such sw container has to be refilled on average for a water-loving house plant, for example?

Legacy, I don't use self watering containers for houseplants, I use hydroculture for those.

For outdoor veggies and annuals I do use a lot of self watering containers.

I can't answer your question on how long a one gallon reservoir would last for a houseplant other than to say probably a loooonng time.

Outdoors for veggies like tomatos maybe 12-24 hours.

Hi there, this is my first post.

I did some research into self watering Grow Boxes an found some at an amazing price in Lidl in the UK.

I created an article with pictures of my progress and what I am growing in them with great success!

Here is a link that might be useful: Self Watering Grow Boxes With Pictures