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Posted: Apr/10/2009 4:14 AM PST
Earth Box, No, I'm going to use what I have "Cheap" . I took this idea from a you-tube run, They used a five gallon bucket but I have 150 of these tubs, Let's built this baby; # 1. Two Tubs, filler pipe 1 1/2" PVC pipe(I used old plastic bat), Two funnels, potting mix (good soil here with horse poo) #2. bottom tub has holes plug (needs to hold water) #3. put the top tub inside the bottom tub leaving 4-6" water reservoir #4. insert filler pipe #5. stick funnels in to holes that reach 1" off bottom of bottom tub #6. make sure you have drain holes to top tub #7. place potting mix/soil in tub and fill funnels #8. I used about 16" soil here #9. the hay in bottom probably not necessary but it looks good #10. planted free tomato plants (came up from last year crop). # 11. mulched Note; you may ask ? funnel, it must wick water up into the root area. I will make a five gallon version and post it too. Later good gardening, Guilt Trip Attachments:      |
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Posted: Apr/10/2009 4:25 AM PST
Continued, I marked the top tub location , Notice the drain hole at the bottom of top tub, this is just below top tub, this will keep the reservoir full (going to use Miracle Grow as fertilizer) I placed a 6' high concrete wire cage, Now come on Tomatoes Attachments:     |
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Posted: Apr/10/2009 6:01 AM PST
Pretty cool setup. Im guessing the lower tub acts like the water collection plate usually found under potts..? |
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Posted: Apr/10/2009 8:44 AM PST
I hope this works. It's ingenious! |
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Posted: Apr/11/2009 4:17 AM PST
The Idea is the lowest tub is a feeding reservoir for the plants, the funnels wick the water up into the soil root mass,(fingers crossed here). I'm guessing that I will keep watering from the top until the plants reach the moist soil, and we will watch and see what happens. I'm adding 3 more tubs Sunday after church(no I won't pray for tub success),I'm thankful for the blessings I have already, This will give me 4 total Tubs ( 2 tomato, 1 squash, 1 cucumber), Guessing and Gardening, Guilt Trip |
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Posted: Apr/13/2009 6:38 PM PST
From what I've seen on these you need lot of wicking action. Are those funnels solid sided with just the soil to wick up thru them? If so I'm wondering if there is enough aera in contact with the water. Ones I've seen have more of a screen so to speak extending down into the water. I have seen ones where they extend a cloth down into the water. One other thing that was pointed out was to make sure there was a way to aerate the soil. Keep us posted good luck. Taters look good btw |
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Posted: Apr/14/2009 4:01 AM PST
I'm hopping the funnel 1/2" off the bottom with a 4-6" head of water will push the water up to reach the cone soil for absorption through the root area ? This is my first attempt on this and together with you and others I will make others until we get it Right, I will do a test this weekend, You got me thinking (scary), I will build one and fill the potting soil to the top of the funnel only , then add the miracle grow to the bottom to see if the funnel feeds the soil as I am hoping. I shall keep planting, planning and pulling weeds, Later Guilt Trip |
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Posted: Apr/14/2009 5:48 PM PST
I (and I'm sure I can speak for all of us) love your projects and the pics to go with them. Win, lose or draw we all learn from you and enjoy your post. I'd really like to see your either solar or wind generator projects. And if you haven't started them yet.....getter done ;o) Lots of ideas on YouTube to get ya goin |
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Posted: Apr/15/2009 7:38 AM PST
My in-laws just gave me three Earth Boxes! I had never heard of this system at all, but it seems like it's gonna be pretty neat when I figure out how to set it all up. GuiltTrip, your system looks a lot easier than mine! Way to go with the design! So smart! |
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