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Altoids Tin Mini Garden

You dont have an own garden, but like to live in a green environment? Why dont you make an Altoids Tin Mini Garden for your desktop? Use an empty Altoids tin. Put in a piece of tissue, add garden cress seeds and water and wait 3 days. Dont forget to keep your seeds wet.

63 comments

1-40 of 63

May 15, 2011. 1:58 PMThe Locksmith says:

I made one! I added a toothpick to hold the lid open, and a usb grow light!

May 16, 2011. 12:24 AM

mischka (author) says:

Cool, thanks for sharing! Please post pictures when something grows. Which herbs do you grow there?

Oct 20, 2011. 8:11 PMJKPieGuy says:

This would be a neat idea to grow grass in and have like a mini lawn inside an Altoids tin.

Apr 10, 2012. 6:49 PMCooldude638 says:

I am in the process of growing grass in one of my tins, and if you decide to, this is my advise to you: Water it frequently.

Jan 8, 2012. 4:19 PMTheAmateurArtisan says:

would sage be good for this?

Dec 21, 2011. 3:33 PMlodgeman0827 says:

do you need soil?

Dec 22, 2011. 12:28 AM

mischka (author) says:

Depends on what you try to grow. I grew cress which grows very nice on a tissue.

Dec 6, 2011. 1:27 AMnrischitelli says:

what should i try and grow? hmmmmm

Aug 17, 2011. 10:17 PMNightElectric says:

Ooo would be fun to grow cat grass out of these!

Aug 16, 2011. 4:45 PManoonecares says:

I bet someone used this to grow pot on their desk. Hey man, want a mint?

Jul 9, 2011. 1:03 PMSensibleHuman says:

Would it be safe to grow flax seed in an altoids tin?

Jul 31, 2011. 5:12 AM

mischka (author) says:

Why not give it a try?

Jun 29, 2011. 2:52 PMcsantiago3 says:

Cute idea could even be a funky seed starter <3

Jun 14, 2011. 12:48 PMtbuilder170 says:

Your English is actually much better than some other people's.

Jun 5, 2011. 2:28 PMjavajunkie1976 says:

@Locksmith: How'd you do that USB growlight?

@Mischka: Great idea! Veggies on the Go!!

May 30, 2011. 3:55 PMimajem says:

If seeds that need soil are used, berry baskets have small holes in the bottom and are great for a small crop! Just add potting soil and keep moist with a spray bottle.

May 29, 2011. 9:44 PMdpanossian says:

Has anyone tried growing plain old grass in one of these? It would be funny to have a tiny lawn on your desk and trim it with scissors when it starts getting long.
Also, can you cover the interior with duct tape to prevent it from reacting with the metal?

May 30, 2011. 12:25 AM

mischka (author) says:

i guess grass should work fine. Protecting the tin with duct tape is a good idea.

May 21, 2011. 11:55 AMHolcan says:

Which type of tissue did you use?

May 22, 2011. 10:33 AM

mischka (author) says:

You can use kitchen or toilet tissue, or something similar

May 17, 2011. 8:52 AM

rowsoprose says:

I'm about to put a few holes in the bottom of my tin, lay in a piece of coffee filter, then a few spoonfuls of potting mix and see if I can grow basil or mint--if it works, I will keep going with additional tins--I love this!

May 19, 2011. 8:57 PM

RaNDoMLeiGH says:

Basil and mint might sprout but their roots will need more space than that.

May 19, 2011. 8:54 PM

RaNDoMLeiGH says:

I got some microgreens from a grower near me. The sprouts (arugula and mustard) were delicious but there were more than I wanted in the container. An altoid tin is just the right size, especially for things with strong flavors.

It looked like the grower used some kind of filter material, like the kind you put in your floor vents. (I've successfully used that for fishtank filters too.) It might have been some sort of polyester quilt or blanket batting, but it was only about 1/8" thick. Any ideas what this might be? It'd be about right for Altoid tins, too.

We kept the greens in the fridge once sprouted. As long as they were kept moist, the container lasted quite a while. Accidentally let it dry out though and they all died. I wonder if an altoid tin would be good for that since once the sprouts are up the lid won't close anymore, although I guess you could keep the whole thing in a ziplock bag or tupperware container.

May 15, 2011. 7:56 AMmichaelnelson says:

Cool idea, but I think I would line it with plastic first... the tin may leech out a funky chemical from staying wet and your sprouts could absorb it. Yuck!!

May 18, 2011. 2:00 PM

mischka (author) says:

Good idea to line it with plastic to protect it from corroding. Think corroded iron is not a poisonous chemical, but keeping the tin from water is a good idea.

May 16, 2011. 8:38 PMcorkey123 says:

And BPA's from plastic are better than good old wholesome tin?

May 17, 2011. 5:48 AMmichaelnelson says:

Neither Ziploc nor Saran brand baggies contain BPA's.

May 18, 2011. 5:41 AM

mischka (author) says:

I made another one. There grows a spider plant and chickweed.

May 15, 2011. 9:51 AMThe Locksmith says:

This is by far the most creativet use for an Altoids tin I've seen. I'm going to make one right now, but with sprouting soil. I'll post photos.

May 15, 2011. 12:49 PMalbetcha says:

Hey Locksmith,
Ham Radio has used the Altoids tin for some really cool things for talking around the world. Ie. all the Pixie I & II, and Tuna Can sized QRP based projects.
http://www.al7fs.us/AL7FS2.html

But this is pretty rad, and think I'll be doing this project too. I think I know of a huge source of tins ready for use.....

AL

May 16, 2011. 11:11 AMThe Locksmith says:

I'll check that out. My dad loves altoids and buys them like 20-30 tins at a time, so I get to use all the leftover tins! :)

May 16, 2011. 11:10 AMThe Locksmith says:

Mischka I am growing Roman Chamomile (excellent for relieving stress). I will post photos :)

For some reason it wouldn't let me post this as a reply to your comment.

May 16, 2011. 7:38 AM

TheNewHobbyist says:

This is great! I'm going to make one of these this week. Thanks for the idea.

May 16, 2011. 4:50 AMHard Tymes says:

You forgot one little garden folks! KatNip! They'll never leave you alone after that!
One thing fer shure! Altoids Tins are the ultimate DIY project box!
Hard Tymes

May 15, 2011. 11:27 AMmatnook says:

thanks for sharing.. Please post more ideas

May 15, 2011. 9:16 AMSappho says:

How much sunlight do these need? My apartment has almost no sunlight (basement flat). I've had a small cactus survive for a year so far, but it hasn't grown any bigger or flowered.

May 15, 2011. 10:21 AM

mischka (author) says:

Doesnt need much sunlight. It should grow even in dark environment.

May 15, 2011. 10:18 AMThe Locksmith says:

Make a tiny usb grow light like I did! Just solder an led to the red and black wires on a usb cable, and mount it in a small hole in the lid of the tin. Prop the lid at a 45 degree angle with a toothpick.

May 16, 2011. 7:31 AMChaksQ says:

Can you use any LED or did you use a specific kind or color of LED?

May 16, 2011. 11:08 AMThe Locksmith says:

I used a blue LED; Any color except green should work fine. Oh, and use a resistor like askjerry said.

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