I have done a few indoor gardens before, mostly because the weather in Michigan does not allow for a very long season. I recently moved to Phoenix and tried container gardening outside and was disappointed in the amount of pests that decimated my small container farm. So here is my take on a very small indoor LED garden to see how it works out.

Step 1: Parts & Tools

Parts:

Cardboard Box
LED Light
Aluminum Foil
Spray Adhesive

Tools:

Box Cutter
Scissors

Step 2: Line With Reflective Surface

I chose to line the box with aluminum foil because it is highly reflective and can act as a water barrier. I overlapped all the corners so that if water does spill in the box it won't ruin it. The spray adhesive is easy to apply and sticks strongly to the box.

Step 3: Cut Out Light Hole

Cut out a hole that will allow the light you have penetrate into the box.

I am using a light that I created in another project to shine into the box. It just sits on top of the box and has a fantastic coverage. The heat created by the lights can radiate up and you can easily lift up to check on your plants.

Since my light covers almost the entire top of the box I cut a hole in the entire top except for the side with a flap (left an inch or so) and the corners to keep some strength in the box.

Step 4: Add Plants, Fertilize, Grow

I started some seedlings in a small starter tray then transferred the plants to small pots. I also used the flap that I cut out as a lifter to get the plants closer to the light before they mature.

I use a hydroponic fertilizer to keep the plants growing strong. This is essentially the same thing as doing a hydroponic setup but using a sterile grow medium that looks like soil. I water every day based on the provided feeding schedule.