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Joining many other excellent earthbox instructables, meet ours, the Dearthbox! The Dearthbox costs about $13-16 per box, and can grow up to three plants, depending on the type of plant. At our house in CA, we've been testing these out for the last month or so. Our tomatoes are thriving and it's a relief to know our plants aren't parched in the afternoon heat.
Even if you've already planted stuff, you could still transplant to the Dearthbox and save some water this summer.
This instructable shows you the materials we used, the steps we followed, and how to plant a fairly big plant, as well as how to plant seedlings.
Even if you've already planted stuff, you could still transplant to the Dearthbox and save some water this summer.
This instructable shows you the materials we used, the steps we followed, and how to plant a fairly big plant, as well as how to plant seedlings.
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Signing UpStep 1Gather your materials
If you already own most of the cutting tools and the drill, this instructable costs about $13-15. We got everything at Home Depot, but you can find similar stuff at any hardware store.
Materials pictured:
2 big paint buckets that stack (~5 gallons each)
1 lid
1 plastic tub OR drain grate (The height of the tub/drain grate should be approximately the same height as the gap between the two buckets when stacked)
1 2' long 1" diameter plastic pipe (make sure it is longer than the height of the buckets when stacked)*
1 mesh baggie (find them as packaging for fruit, veggies, other stuff!)
Tools pictured:
drill with 1 inch bit and 1/4" masonry bit
utility knife with extra blades
rounded file
saw
permanent marker
tarp (collects all the plastic bits!)
Not pictured:
black plastic garbage bags
seedlings or established plants
potting mix
compost
fertilizer
*I've read different things about using PVC after making this first version, which does use PVC. This project is made entirely of plastic, so if plastics in general bother you, you probably should not make this. If PVC specifically bothers you, it's easy to find other plastic pipes that will work, just poke around the garden supply store. Also, Greenpeace has a big database of alternatives. What do you think about PVC? What alternatives have you discovered?
Materials pictured:
2 big paint buckets that stack (~5 gallons each)
1 lid
1 plastic tub OR drain grate (The height of the tub/drain grate should be approximately the same height as the gap between the two buckets when stacked)
1 2' long 1" diameter plastic pipe (make sure it is longer than the height of the buckets when stacked)*
1 mesh baggie (find them as packaging for fruit, veggies, other stuff!)
Tools pictured:
drill with 1 inch bit and 1/4" masonry bit
utility knife with extra blades
rounded file
saw
permanent marker
tarp (collects all the plastic bits!)
Not pictured:
black plastic garbage bags
seedlings or established plants
potting mix
compost
fertilizer
*I've read different things about using PVC after making this first version, which does use PVC. This project is made entirely of plastic, so if plastics in general bother you, you probably should not make this. If PVC specifically bothers you, it's easy to find other plastic pipes that will work, just poke around the garden supply store. Also, Greenpeace has a big database of alternatives. What do you think about PVC? What alternatives have you discovered?
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It qhould allow to grow patatoes, carrots etc.
Thanks!
earthtainer.tomatofest.com/
So, it seems to be a trend. Thanks for adding this link to the comments!
I'm not sure if you have a question about drainage holes, or? There have to be some holes in the outer bucket so that the water in the bottom doesn't become stagnant, and so that you know when you've filled it up. If something doesn't make sense in the directions, let me know! Would like to clarify.
Another way to protect your recycled plastic buckets from UV exposure is to paint them (outside only). Unfortunately, you may have to use a good oil-base floor enamel to find something that will STICK to the plastic (latex paint peels off way too easy). This concern about the UV breaking the plastic down is actually how I got started building my containers from wood and lining them with black plastic.
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You could also build a round (or square) box to enclose the bucket and shade it from the sun . . . looks better too. We use this approach to build outdoor ashtrays for our commercial buildings and simply fill the buckets mostly full with sand.
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sail4free
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I agree with Mr. Beefhead -- potting MIX (not soil) works best. If you're inclined to make your own, it's about 40% peat moss, 20% perlite, and 20% compost. Some tomato growers (like Ray Newstead) think it runs a little wet; feel free to experiment. I use the 2.5 cubic foot bags of Miracle Gro = h-e-a-v-y . . . bring a helper.
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Taking my cue from wicking boxes, I think we're wasting a lot of buckets (and time drilling holes) when ONE bucket will work just fine. I'll do an instructable on this and link to it soon. For now, you can scope out two wooden versions of "EarthTainers" which I built here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-Your-Own-Growing-Containers/
Feel free to leave any constructive comments.
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sail4free
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I am using information posted on the Global Buckets website as a guide also. There is more information on growing media and watering systems for a rooftop garden. All of your visitors can get a lot out of these self-watering buckets. I'll post photos of my results on my profile later on.
URL: http://www.globalbuckets.org/
Re ferrets, gosh, I'm still not sure they would not find a way. Check out these beautiful upside-down earthboxes: http://www.instructables.com/id/Upside-Down-Hanging-Earth-Box/ Maybe if it were hanging it would foil the ferrets. That's a lot of ferrets.
they work on a range of things from metal to wood to plastic..its pretty much universal...i used 1 and cut thru about 1/4 of cast iron with no dulling to the bit