How to Make the Perfect Grow Box

Turn an old computer tower in to a grow box.

If you ever want to grow fresh fruits and flowers regardless of the season, build a perfect grow box. A grow box will allow you to create controlled growing conditions no matter the time of year. Grow boxes allow you to grow any plant, even when it normally would be out of season. An easy way to make a functional grow box is to build one using an old computer tower. Not only will this serve as a grow box, it will also keep the computer tower from ending 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. Remove the large sides of the computer tower. Use your screwdrivers to remove the small internal screws that hold the major components of the tower. Take out all of the hardware pieces, leaving only the wiring and a few good PC fans..

2. Use your scissors to cut the reflective sunshade into pieces. Make these pieces big enough to fit on the bottom, back area, and the two small sides of the tower. You may need to cut holes in the shade to accommodate the PC fans. Use a "cold glue" glue gun to attach pieces of the sunshade to the interior of the computer tower.

3. Glue the power strip lengthwise to the large back area of the tower. Center the power strip near the top. Thread the power cord outward through the the tower's backside. It should go through the area where one of the USB ports was. Place socket adapters in four of the strip outlets. Screw a light bulb into each socket adapter.

4. Place two PC fans in one of the tall, skinny sides of the tower if the tower has no fans or the fans are not in good condition. Either use the pre-existing fan openings or a utility knife to cut holes that will be big enough for the fans. Place one of the fans low so it will blow air to the inside of the tower. Install the other fan high so it will pull warm air out of the tower. If your tower has fans that are in good condition, skip this step.

5. Install the metal expanding shelf inside the case. Push it towards the side opposite from where you placed the fans. This will keep the plant from getting too much air. When you want to grow your plants, place the plants and their containers on the shelf.

References

• Cheap Vegetable Gardener: Cheap PC Case Grow Box for Less Than $20
• Indoor Grow Box: How to Build a Grow Box
• Youtube: How to Make a PC Grow Box