How to Build a Plant Grow Box

Fresh, spring peas in December? No problem with a grow box.

If you have ever wanted to bite into a ripe strawberry in the middle of winter or enjoy the smell of lily-of-the-valley in the fall, a grow box is your answer. A grow box is similar to a miniature hothouse, allowing you to create the perfect growing conditions. It allows you to nurture any sort of vegetation or flora to its peak, even when it is far out of season. Construct a grow box out of an old, defunct computer tower so that it doesn’t end up in a landfill.

Things You'll Need

• Computer tower
• Screwdriver
• Scissors
• Reflective sunshade
• Cold glue glue gun and cold glue sticks
• Power strip
• 4 socket adapters
• 4 light bulbs
• 2 PC fans (optional)
• Utility knife (optional)
• Metal expanding shelf

Instructions

1. Take off one of the large sides of the computer tower. Unscrew the small internal screws that hold in the major pieces of the computer tower. Remove all of the hardware pieces and leave just the wiring and any good fans.

2. Cut the reflective sunshade into pieces that will fit onto the large back area, the bottom, and the two smaller sides. Make holes in the shade if necessary to accommodate the fans. Attach the pieces to the interior of the computer tower using a cold glue glue gun.

3. Glue the power strip lengthwise to the large back area, centered near the top. Thread the power cord out through the back of the tower where one of the USB ports has been removed. Install socket adapters into four of the strip outlets and screw a light bulb into each one.

4. Install two PC fans into one of the tall, skinny sides if your tower has no fans or they are no good. Use the pre-existing fan openings or cut holes large enough with a utility knife. Install one fan low so that it blows air into the inside of the tower, and the other high so that it pulls warmed, used air out of the tower.

5. Place the metal expanding shelf into the case. Push it to the tall, skinny side opposite the one with the fans installed so that the plant does not get too much air. Set your plant in its container on the shelf.

References

• The Cheap Vegetable Gardener: Cheap PC Case Grow Box for Less Than $20