Introduction: Altoids Tin Mini Garden
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About: I like to play with electronics and other fun stuff, modify things to make them more useful or just more funny, putting things together that seem not to fit to make funny stuff. Sharing ideas make the world a …
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.
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71 Comments
10 years ago on Introduction
I made one! I added a toothpick to hold the lid open, and a usb grow light!
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Cool, thanks for sharing! Please post pictures when something grows. Which herbs do you grow there?
5 years ago
Does this cause the tin to oxidate or rust?
Reply 5 years ago
unfortunally it does. You can use foil or similar to prevent it from rust.
5 years ago
Very good idea. Wooh im gonna need more tins!
7 years ago
Oh, I have been keeping mine wet by spraying it. I grow wheatgrass for juice, and you don't need to replant it
7 years ago
How did you keep them wet? With a spray bottle?
8 years ago on Introduction
I think you have a great idea. Have you considered growing mint I. The mint tin?
10 years ago on Introduction
This would be a neat idea to grow grass in and have like a mini lawn inside an Altoids tin.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
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.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
How'd it go with the grass growing? Ha I can also see how the grass would dry out fast.
9 years ago on Introduction
thats a cool USB deal.
10 years ago on Introduction
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.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
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.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Most LEDs are 2.1 to 2.3 volts... the USB port is usually 5 volts. Unless you use a 5 volt LED, you will likely need a 150 ohm resistor to keep from burning out the LED.
Jerry
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
You don't really need a resistor, from experience, my desk is covered with old USB stuff, some working, some not. But 5 volts is fine for a normal LED!
-Oscar
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Good observation! I used an LED capable of handling the voltage without a resistor, but most LEDs can't. Thanks for warning people, I forgot to put that in there myself :)
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
There is another way... if you have two LEDs that are each rated 2.1 volts... and you connect them in SERIES... then the combined voltage is 4.2 volts which likely is close enough... but you could install a 40 ohm resistor if in doubt. (Presuming they are 20mA as most are.)
(Supply - LED Voltage) / current = resistor needed.
So (5v - 2.2v) = 2.8v... and if the datasheet said 20mA (0.020 amps)
2.8v / 0.20A = 140 ohms... I rounded it up to 150 in my example.
Hope that helps.
Jerry
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Useful info! Thanks :D
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Can you use any LED or did you use a specific kind or color of LED?