Gardener's Victory - User Manual

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Gardener's Victory and is the answer not in the manual?

Summary

Planter Assembly

Initial Planter Base Setup

Insert poles into planter slots, secure the basket, and install the capillary strip.

Grow Bag and Trellis Installation

Place grow bag, attach tie-down systems, and connect trellis panels for stability.

Final Trellis Securing

Attach trellis panels to planter caps and use hook & loop strips to secure.

The Gardener's Victory Self-Watering Planter with Vine Trellis is a comprehensive system designed to support plant growth, particularly vining plants, while simplifying watering and maintenance. This self-watering planter aims to provide a consistent moisture supply to plants, reducing the frequency of manual watering and promoting healthier growth.

Function Description:

The core function of this device is to provide a self-watering environment for plants, ensuring they receive adequate moisture without constant manual intervention. This is achieved through a reservoir system and a capillary strip that wicks water up to the plant's roots. The integrated trellis system offers structural support for vining plants, allowing them to climb and spread, which is crucial for their development and fruit production. The design also incorporates features for easy assembly, planting, and ongoing care.

Important Technical Specifications:

Planter Components:

Planter with Basket: The main body of the system, housing the soil and water reservoir. The basket is removable for easier assembly and access.
Grow Bag with Attached Capillary Strip: This bag holds the potting mix and features a capillary strip that extends into the water reservoir, drawing moisture upwards to the soil.
Poles (6): These form the vertical structure of the trellis. They are designed to slide into specific slots within the planter and connectors.
Pole Connectors (4): Used to extend the height of the poles, connecting lower and upper pole sections.
Caps (2): Placed on top of the uppermost poles, they often have holes to accommodate the trellis panels.
Tie Down Systems (2): These are crucial for stability, especially in windy conditions. They slide into slots on the poles and can be secured to prevent the planter from tipping.
Top Trellis Panel (1) & Bottom Trellis Panel (1): These panels form the grid structure for vining plants to climb. They connect to each other and to the poles.
Connecting Clips (2): Used to secure the top and bottom trellis panels together.
Hook & Loop Strips (6): These strips are used to secure the trellis panels to the poles, ensuring a stable and adjustable attachment.
Optional Casters: Available separately, these can be installed at the base of the planter for easy mobility.

Assembly and Usage Features:

Initial Setup:

Caster Installation (Optional): If casters are purchased, they should be installed at the base of the planter before further assembly.
Basket Removal: The basket needs to be removed from the planter to begin pole installation.
Pole Insertion: Two poles are inserted into the internal slots of the planter, with their smooth sides facing towards the center. The poles should slide approximately 1/2" into the slots.
Basket Re-insertion: The basket is then slid over the inserted poles and pressed securely back into the planter, ensuring its tabs are visible and fully secure.
Capillary Strip Placement: The capillary strip, attached to the grow bag, is inserted into the slots at the base of the basket.
Grow Bag Placement: The grow bag is placed into the planter, ensuring its straight sides are positioned correctly.
Tie Down System Installation: The tie down systems are slid into the slots on each pole. These can also be added later during pole extension.
Potting Mix Preparation: A recommended mixture of 1 cup of fertilizer with 40 quarts of potting mix should be prepared and pre-moistened.
Filling the Planter: The prepared potting mix is then added to the planter, filling it to within 1" to 2" of the top edge.
Pole Extension: Pole connectors are slid onto the tops of the initial poles. Two more poles are then slid over these connectors. This process is repeated for all remaining pole connectors and poles, with caps placed on top of the uppermost poles.
Trellis Panel Assembly: The bottom of the top trellis panel is attached to the bottom trellis panel using the connecting clips.
Trellis Panel Attachment to Caps: The hooked ends of the top trellis panel are slid into the holes on the caps.
Securing Trellis Panels: The trellis panels are secured to the poles using the hook & loop strips.

Watering and Care:

Watering Method: The reservoir is filled through designated water fill holes.
Moisture Monitoring: Regular checking of soil moisture is recommended. If the soil dries out, the reservoir should be refilled, and the soil should be thoroughly top-watered to re-establish the wicking action of the capillary strip.
Overfilling: If the reservoir is overfilled, excess water will drain out through side vents.
Moving the Planter: If the planter needs to be moved, it is advised to use two people and lift it by the base of the planter, not by the basket or trellis supports, especially if casters are not installed.

Maintenance Features:

Fertilization: It is recommended to add 1 cup of fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. This should be gently raked into the soil, followed by top-watering to help disperse it.
Placement for Hot Zones: In areas with high temperatures, placing the planter in a spot that receives afternoon shade can help prevent the soil from drying out too quickly and protect plants from excessive heat stress.
Tipping Prevention: The tie down systems are crucial for preventing the planter from tipping over in high winds. Their ends should be securely fastened.

Environmental Commitment:

The manufacturer states that 8% of their profits go back to communities, indicating a commitment to social responsibility. Further information on this initiative can be found on their website.

The Gardener's Victory Self-Watering Planter with Vine Trellis is designed to be a durable and efficient solution for gardeners, offering a low-maintenance approach to growing a variety of plants, particularly those that benefit from vertical support. Its modular design allows for relatively straightforward assembly and its self-watering mechanism aims to optimize plant health and growth.