How to Make a Hydroponic Grow Box

A Hydroponic Grow Box is a great way to grow vegetables type of Hydroponic Grow Box has some soil in it but the root system from the plants reach the bottom of the box where the water is at.
They are easy to make and maintain.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Container
• Wire
• Plastic
• Drill
• Soil
• Brick or stones
• PVC
• Plants

1. You can even use a plastic five gallon bucket.
   Start with a container, It needs to be able to hold water.
   About 1 1/2 inch from the bottom; Drill a small drain hole so that it can drain. The idea here is not to let the bottom of the soil sit in the water. Next you will need to place a brick or some small stones on the bottom so that the top of the brick or stones are at the level of the drain hole.
   Do not place it around the drain hole.

2. You will need a small stick of PVC pipe, enough to reach the bottom of the container.
   Next you will need a grate or you can cut some small mess wire(This will hold the soil up out of the water, so that it does not sour.)
   Cut the mesh wire to fit the bottom and also cut a hole so the PVC can fit threw at the side.
   Once you place the wire in the container you can put the PVC threw the hole in the wire.(This is where you will add the water at.)

3. You will need some good potting soil or a mix of good fertile dirt or compost.
   Once you have your wire or grate in place You can add the soil.
   Add enough to bring it to the top.
   Now mound the dirt so it is higher in the center.

4. Down the center make a small trench about 1 inch deep.. This is where you will add fertilizer.
   Use a good vegetable fertilizer 10-10-10 works well.
   Fill the trench, Do not cover the fertilizer.

5. Cover the top with a piece of plastic leaving the PVC sticking out the top.(a garbage bag will work) use string to tie around the container to hold the plastic on.
   Now you can poke holes where you want to place a plant(Remember not to place them directly on the fertilizer trench.)
   Once You have all your plants in place you can top water. Then place the hose into the PVC pipe and fill the container. You can tell when the container is full when the water runs out the drain hole.
   This is where you will need to water the plants at. Only top water when you first add the plants in.
   Make sure that you container never dry out. Add water regularly.

Tips & Warnings

• Water regularly.

[themexican]

on 8/27/2009 I was always curious about hydroponics. Thanks for the insight. 5* and recommended. =]

[Summersile]

on 8/15/2009 I'm going to try this. I've been looking for a detailed plan like this. Thanks, 5*s and a Rec.

[AngelGirl1024]

on 8/3/2009 I wrote some articles on hydroponics, but they're not as good and detailed as yours. I have always wanted to try this method out. I think it's neat how you can control what the plants get, unlike with dirt.

Do you think hydroponics could help world hunger a bit? Because certain countries have problem with vegetation, because the soil is not "rich." Perhaps they should adopt hydroponics. :-)

Great article.
Thanks,
Melanie