| Project by atceric | posted 1193 days ago | 2980 views | 16 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
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“If momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.” Okay, so this isn’t exactly fine woodworking. It was a fun, simple project, though.
More info on these planters can be found at…
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-Your-Own-Growing-Containers/
and
http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/
The general idea is to create a planter with a reservoir of water at the bottom. The soil/root system wicks up water from the bottom. We experimented with this a bit late last summer and had some outrageously good results with tomato plants. This year we’re going all in building four of these large planters. Really hoping for a good crop of jalapenos!
The exterior shell of the planter is all treated wood. The shell is lined with 4mm plastic, and a drain hole ensures the water level never gets too high. The interior deck is cedar fence plank with a plastic strainer basket mounted in the center. Costs on the project are relatively low and so is the difficulty.
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13 comments so far
Hallmark
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432 posts in 1303 days
#1 posted 1193 days ago
Great project, just in time for the planting season that is coming soon. My dad has something similar on a smaller scale. His tomato plants are a step above ours.
-- Style is simple, but not my execution of it.
jayjay
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#2 posted 1193 days ago
I really need to try something like that. The soil I have here is horrible for planting in. That’s a great idea. Thank you for sharing that.
-- ~Jason~ , Albuquerque NM
MrsN
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#3 posted 1193 days ago
Very Cool, now I need to make one.
-- ----- www.KNWoodworking.com ----- --
donjoe
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#4 posted 1193 days ago
Great idea. Nice job on these planters.
-- Donnie-- listen to the wood.
Jimthecarver
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#5 posted 1192 days ago
I think this is a great idea.
Is it easier to maintain the ph levels in this type of planter?
This type of growing platform is becoming very popular because the plants are never starved for nutrients.
Thanks for the post.
-- Can't never could do anything, to try is to advance.
MsDebbieP
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#6 posted 1192 days ago
a perfect project for GardenTenders
you made a beautiful planter!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
atceric
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51 posts in 1221 days
#7 posted 1192 days ago
Debbie, you’re right. This is probably more appropriate on gardentenders. I guess I just consider myself
more a lumberjock than a gardentender.
Jim, all I know is from what I read on the websites linked above. The info there says to be sure and not scrimp on your soil. We used a potting mix with fertilizer premixed.
MsDebbieP
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#8 posted 1191 days ago
this is one of those projects that belong on both sites :) Lucky us!!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
TheDovetailJoint
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#9 posted 1190 days ago
Atceric,
Very well done. I was thinking about making some earthtainers this year, but just like you I found the two-Rubbermaid container investment a little bit off putting. Where are you finding the free fence pickets you mention? That makes this option very appealing. Again, nice work. Scott
-- http://shopsmith-tool-hunter.blogspot.com http://gilliom-gil-bilt-tool-hunter.blogspot.com
atceric
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#10 posted 1190 days ago
Scott,
The pickets weren’t free. Purchased them at Lowes. Next hurricane in the area might make some free fence pickets available again. There’s something to look forward to…not! My son’s boy scout troop scavanged lots of fence pickets after Hurricane Ike and made dozens of bird houses. Some with blue duct tape on their roofs to match the blue tarps on the roofs of the homes around us.
Eric
a1Jim
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#11 posted 1190 days ago
neat idea
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
TheDovetailJoint
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#12 posted 1189 days ago
Atceric,
My mistake. I assumed that the Instructable that you referenced was your Instructable. The reference to free pickets was found there.
Do you have a ballpark of how much you have invested in them?
-- http://shopsmith-tool-hunter.blogspot.com http://gilliom-gil-bilt-tool-hunter.blogspot.com
atceric
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51 posts in 1221 days
#13 posted 1179 days ago
Scott,
Sorry for the delay in answering. I’m not sure exactly on the cost, but I would guess about $40 to $50 each.
Eric
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