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How to grow flowers on a military base in Iraq

Step 3The waiting game

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!
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30 comments
Aug 11, 2011. 9:12 PMnsanders1 says:
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!
Dec 17, 2009. 4:59 PMsockless says:
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?
Dec 16, 2010. 3:45 PMcfuse says:
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.
Mar 19, 2011. 1:48 AMmyfriendshane says:
Stay safe brother !!
Jun 11, 2010. 8:05 AMhendew says:
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
Mar 19, 2010. 6:41 PMShiftlock says:
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!
Nov 23, 2008. 11:24 AMplantergirl says:
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.
Dec 12, 2009. 6:36 AMporcupinemamma says:
plantergirl says it all!!! {{{{{}}}}} from a Canadian
Oct 24, 2009. 1:43 PMfreecycleo says:
Nice one! A really cool idea  :)
Dec 29, 2008. 7:42 AMnerdmom920 says:
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.
Nov 20, 2008. 7:16 PMincognito123 says:
dude you can bring peace to iraq by planting some pot. or have you?
Nov 20, 2008. 1:52 AMraisinland says:
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. :)
Nov 14, 2008. 6:44 AMlawrence760 says:
Are you writing this from Iraq,or after you got back from a deployment?
Nov 14, 2008. 5:04 AMHadassah08 says:
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 :-)
Nov 12, 2008. 1:54 PMchtinico says:
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.
Nov 3, 2008. 11:44 AMKathybear says:
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!
Nov 2, 2008. 11:37 AMmattymoo says:
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. :)
Nov 2, 2008. 9:50 AMA good name says:
I see you used Kiteman's scrooge bottle.
Nov 2, 2008. 7:31 AMgeeklord says:
Awesome! Seems like you had all the stuff right there.
Nov 2, 2008. 5:06 AMManiacy says:
This is just great!
Oct 30, 2008. 6:36 PMd313373r says:
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
Oct 30, 2008. 2:55 PMmicahdear says:
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
Oct 30, 2008. 1:16 PMxiambam says:
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.
Oct 30, 2008. 12:32 AMDuffMaster says:
That's cool. Nice job! Great pics!
Oct 28, 2008. 7:37 PMchingchong says:
awesome, that fern you have is called a sensitive plant, i have 5 in my backyard. they will sprout out (like vines) Good job!!!
Oct 28, 2008. 4:40 AMka1axy says:
Well done! Come home safe and soon!
Oct 27, 2008. 8:21 AMbbstudio says:
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.
Oct 26, 2008. 6:00 PMsnailian says:
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.
Oct 26, 2008. 10:27 AMmenace says:
Wow! you did a really good job on this, those plants are getting pretty big.
Oct 26, 2008. 8:46 AMinquisitive says:
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!

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Author:AndrewPBentley
I am working as an Environmental Tech in Iraq looking for a few things to do in my little spare time. I hope to have some projects up here soon.