Whether you have a small outdoor space or want to make the most of what you have, a self-watering gutter gives you the opportunity to grow your garden up, not out. You don’t need to be a DIY expert to build one of your own, and it needn’t be expensive either.

They also offer the option to save and use rain or run-off water, making you less reliant on water companies or a suitable supply of rain. You’ll rarely need to water manually, and you’ll have fewer worries about slugs, weeds, and pests, as your plants are raised off the ground.

What you’ll need

To help you on your way, we’ve got together this step-by-step guide for a simple self-watering gutter, but the more confident you become, the more you can expand your installation. To begin, you’ll need the following:

• A gutter, with end caps
• Wicking cord
• A water tank
• Compost
• A wall or fence
• Young plants or seeds

Creating the gutter

To begin, fix an end cap onto each end of the gutter so no water can escape. Then, secure the gutter onto your wall or fence, at a height everyone can reach.

Next, lay the wicking cord along the bottom of the gutter, from one end to the other. Be sure to let both ends of the cord hang down into the water tank below.

Then, spoon compost into the gutter, on top of the cord, right along the length. Water the compost well from the top, then fill up the tank underneath.

Now, you’re ready to do some planting! Tuck your plants into the compost, spaced apart, and firm them in gently to ensure they are securely placed without any damage.

Shallow-root plants like strawberries, lettuce, herbs, or radishes are ideal for planting in a self-watering gutter, giving you a fresh larder to hand for salads and desserts.

While this is a simple plan for a basic gutter, they can be as big, complex, and layered as you feel confident enough to build, dependent on the space you have available. Not only are they cheap to build, but they can add a sustainable side to your diet and colour to your outdoor areas, whether you have a large garden or a small urban courtyard.