I put together my own self-watering pot for my container vegetable garden for under $10 for materials! (Does not include cost of soil and plant)

Red tub $7.50 (Costco)

Laundry basket $1.59
Source: Goodwill Outlet – everything is sold by the pound!

Watering tube $0.25
Source: SCRAP www.scrapaction.org
Tube was formerly a large thread spool

Cotton wicking $0.25
Source: SCRAP www.scrapaction.org
Officially a sewing notion, but works great in this application

Tools needed:
Electric Drill w/large drill bit (I used 1/4 inch)
Scissors
eXacto knife

Took me longer to round up the supplies than it did to build it.  More details and pictures here…