How to Build Earthbox Planters
The Earthbox is a self-watering planter sold by the Earthbox company. It is easy enough to buy one from the company, but you can make your own self-watering container at a fraction of the cost. A large container and some PVC pipe can be used to make a long lasting self-watering container that will support the growth of several small vegetable, fruit or flower crops. The containers are self-watering, reducing the need for your constant care. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Net basket
- Jigsaw
- Two 18 gallon plastic storage containers
- Drill
- 1/4 inch bit
- 1 1/2 inch hole saw
- 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe
- Hacksaw
- Soil
Instructions
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1
Place a 4-inch net basket next to one of the 18 gallon containers. Draw a line all the way around the container at the height of the basket.
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2
Cut the container at the line using a jigsaw.
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3
Turn the cut container upside down. Trace the top of the net basket into the center of the container. Cut out a hole that is a one-quarter inch smaller using a jigsaw.
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4
Drill one-quarter inch holes every two inches along the bottom of the cut container.
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5
Cut a 1 1/2 inch hole into the lower right hand corner on the bottom of the cut container using the hole saw.
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6
Place the net basket into the bottom of your other container. Set the cut container upside down on top of the net basket.
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7
Drill a one-quarter inch hole into the outside of the whole container, below the level of the cut container. This will act as a drainage hole. Make the hole just below the cut container.
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8
Insert a PVC pipe into the 1 1/2 inch hole on the inside of the container.
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9
Fill the container with dirt and plant your transplants according to the plant instructions.
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10
Pour water into the PVC pipe. The soil inside the net basket will wick the water.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Net baskets are also called pond baskets. They are available from garden supply centers or hardware stores.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
