Costco's Self-Watering Raised Planter Lets You Grow a Kitchen Garden in Even the Smallest Yard — and Takes The Stress Out of Watering

If you've always wanted to grow your own herbs and fresh salad but don't have much outdoor space, Costco's self-watering raised planter could be the answer. Designed for patios and small yards, the elevated cedar bed also features a built-in water reservoir that helps keep your plants consistently hydrated, which with the intensely hot summer we are having takes the worry and effort out of constant watering.

Unlike traditional containers that can dry out quickly in summer, this planter stores up to six gallons of water beneath the soil, allowing plants to draw up moisture as they need it. There are other, similar planters on the market. I particularly like this self-watering raised bed from Amazon, which has a sleek design.

It's a simple way of transforming a small outdoor space into a low maintenance yet productive garden. This product also comes with the optional extras of a greenhouse cover and a bug cover. It's easy to see why Costco shoppers are snapping it up this season.

What Shoppers Say

Shoppers give the Costco self watering planter 4.5 stars, and are impressed with how productive the planter is, particularly for growing herbs and salad crops.

Several reviewers said they enjoyed it so much they purchased a second planter, with one writing, 'I bought one last year and liked it so much I bought another one this year.'

Others praised the self-watering reservoir feature for helping thirsty crops to thrive, with one owner commenting, 'Works great for tomatoes and other plants that need water all the time.' Another said, 'I had so much success and fun with mine that I bought a second one.'

A handful of shoppers did flag a few drawbacks. Some noted that the reservoir can become too full after prolonged heavy rain, so it may be better suited to covered patios or drier climates.

Others stressed the importance of following the assembly instructions and using a lightweight potting mix rather than heavy garden soil, which helps the self-watering system work effectively and avoids putting unnecessary strain on the planter's base.

Shop More Raised Bed Planters

With more heatwaves on the horizon, a self-watering planter or pot feels like a no brainer. These are the most stylish options we found, and all are perfect for a small outside space.

As more homeowners look for ways to maximize smaller outdoor spaces, clever designs like this are becoming increasingly popular. And the self-watering system makes it so much easier to grow, and know when to water, without the constant upkeep that traditional containers often demand.

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