How to grow flowers on a military base in Iraq

Step 3 The waiting game

You probably know how it works already. The cord soaks up the water from the bottles and takes it to the drier dirt. So.... thought the day there is a constant supply of water to my plants!

This has been working better then I could ever think and now I have some green here in Iraq. Hot darn!

And one of the coolest parts is the ferns move when you touch them, they close up!

Comments

[nsanders1]

On my last deployment, I got water melon and grape seeds from the fruit at the chow hall and germinated them until they sprouted, then planted them in the dirt next to the A/C units next to the shop on the edge of the puddles that formed there. They grew well, but had to be well sheltered to keep the birds from eating the plants. I never saw any fruit production, but it did give me something to do to pass the time!

[sockless]

You should grow some veges to supplement your diet. If your guys diet is anything like the New Zealand Army's diet, then you don't even need any supplementing. I guess you get good food when civvies cook it for you. By any chance do you guys get Government subsidised beer?

[cfuse]

It is certainly possible that the waste has been treated to a point where it is ok for food crops, but I doubt the risk is worth it.

[AndrewPBentley]

Sadly no beer, and they fed us pretty good over there, no complaints! 

[myfriendshane]

Stay safe brother !!

[hendew]

I was at JBB, Iraq for the summer of 2008. I had the wife send me seed packets, and one of those starter kits from Wally World, I to am from the Great State or PA and wanted a little green in my new home away from home. Unfortunatly, I was not a inginuative at you. But i sure as heck will be remembering this for my next time, which will happen. i am sure. Have fun

[Shiftlock]

This is ingenius, and it looks like the materials existed for scaling it up.  What else are they going to do with all that poop?  If I were over there, I would try to get a bunch of guys to help me make a large-scale version of this.  Maybe 20' x 20'.  Big enough for a paths to run through, with a bench in the middle.  Perhaps a trellis with vines growing up and over the path, and vegetation so thick, the desert isn't visible from the middle of the garden.  I think having a little magic garden spot to wander through and sit in would be good for the spirit in a place like that.  I bet it would be stay cooler in the hot days, as well.

Anyway, great idea!

[plantergirl]

Please come home safe. Your kind of ingenuity and creativeness is needed back in this country and the global community at large....plus I'm waiting for more instructable.com ideas from you. Our prayers are with you and the troops.

[porcupinemamma]

plantergirl says it all!!! {{{{{}}}}} from a Canadian

[AndrewPBentley]

Thanks for you comment everyone, I will be sure to put up some new instuctables here soon. Trying to think of Ideas, if anyone has any let me know! www.spf400.blogspot.com

[freecycleo]

Nice one! A really cool idea  :)

[nerdmom920]

What an excellent idea! I knew I was saving all those plastic bottles for something. I'll be incorporating this into my garden at home.

[incognito123]

dude you can bring peace to iraq by planting some pot. or have you?

[raisinland]

What a great idea! I'll try this here in sunny Southern California. I too hope you are safe and have a nice Thanksgiving so far from home. :)

[AndrewPBentley]

Glad you like it dude. This will be my first Thanksgiving, and Christmas away from home, but I am handling it well so far! Gotta figure out what I can do for a small Christmas tree.

[lawrence760]

Are you writing this from Iraq,or after you got back from a deployment?

[AndrewPBentley]

Naa dude, still here at JBB. I'm headed home in June 09. Looking forward to it. Next R&R is in March, going to Costa Rica to get my green in!

[Hadassah08]

I am from Virginia and I also am in the Middle East and right now am missing Fall foliage :-). I admire your ingenuity! Hopefully you won't be there much longer. Thanks for all you are doing.... watch your back :-)

[chtinico]

I like the idea of bringing life instead of death in that messy war. Keep speaking to locals but take care of you. God may be with you and with all good people whatever nationality, religion or colour of skin.

[AndrewPBentley]

I appreciate the comment! Thanks, I will stay as safe as possible.

[Kathybear]

That is so cool! Did you think about trying the Instructable on a credit card planter? I hear that it's dangerous over there, even (especially, maybe) for civilians. Take care and you have my prayers for a safe return!

[AndrewPBentley]

Thanks buddy! It does get sketchy, but I'll do mu best to stay safe!

[mattymoo]

the Fern does look like a baby Mimosa - Depending on where you are from in PA you might have seen the full grown tree, yes it's actually a tree, before. I'm across the river in New Jersey and they grow here and there, sometimes on their own. When fully mature they have little pink pom-pom flowers that have a scent that brings me directly back to being 6 years old! If it is indeed a mimosa (looks like one and yes, they do "close up" hen touched - its a defense thing against powerful rainstorms) maybe you could find a place to plant it permanently so it could make it to full maturity someday and give someone else aroma based flashbacks to a happier time. :)

[AndrewPBentley]

Hey dude, thanks for the tip. Once these things get a little stronger I will try and find a safe spot in the ground for them. I would have never thought it was a tree! I probably have about 12 plants growing well. I wouldn't leaving a little of me behind when I leave this place!! Thanks!

[A good name]

I see you used Kiteman's scrooge bottle.

[geeklord]

Awesome! Seems like you had all the stuff right there.

[Maniacy]

This is just great!

[d313373r]

haha very well done! :D you should grow some tomatoes or peppers too ;) oh and btw that fern is called mimosa pudica your lucky that yours is growing!! they seem to be rather difficult to grow ... in austria that is

[micahdear]

Absolutely Fascinating!!! Congrats.. I have faith that you will get home safe but until then at least you have brought some of PA to your temp home! Good job! 5*'s

[xiambam]

Great idea : ) Very intuitive. I'm from PA myself, and I love our foliage : ) I'm glad you found a way to bring home to you.

[DuffMaster]

That's cool. Nice job! Great pics!

[chingchong]

awesome, that fern you have is called a sensitive plant, i have 5 in my backyard. they will sprout out (like vines) Good job!!!

[ka1axy]

Well done! Come home safe and soon!

[bbstudio]

WELL DONE!!! for both your project to bring green to your temporary home and for your sacrifice for our country. I applaud you and your comrades.

[snailian]

Impressive! I've been collecting some 2 liter bottles to make some self-watering planters, so this was very interesting. I just hope your friend doesn't get in trouble.

[menace]

Wow! you did a really good job on this, those plants are getting pretty big.

[inquisitive]

Excellent perserverance! Better than just a poster ad twice as satisfying because you made it happen. When you leave, I hope some other person appreciates it as much!