How to Make a Grow Box for Gardening
A wooden grow box is a simple construction project you can customize to an outside or inside location. A small grow box can sit on a windowsill and provide you with fresh lettuce all year round. A grow box can also be used to start seeds that you will later transplant to your garden. Avoiding using stained or treated lumber, as different finishes can contain chemicals that will affect soil acidity and plant growth. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 4 pieces 2- by 4-inch lumber
- Galvanized screws
- Circular or hand saw
- Drill
- Wood glue
- Plywood
- Plastic sheeting
- Gravel
Instructions
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1
Measure the location where you want to place your grow box and determine what size grow box you would like to build.
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2
Cut two pieces of 1- or 2-inch by 4-inch lumber to the length you'd like your grow box to be with a hand or circular saw. Pine and cedar are inexpensive, lightweight, solid woods good for this project, although you can use any wood you prefer.
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3
Cut two pieces of 1- or 2-inch by 4-inch lumber to the width you'd like your box to be.
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4
Drill two galvanized 2-inch screws into the end of each longer board, into the end of the shorter boards, creating a box. Galvanized screws won't rust.
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5
Cut a piece of plywood to fit the bottom of your box.
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6
Place a thin line of wood glue around the edges of the board and place your plywood on top of it, making sure it's straight.
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Screw 2-inch galvanized screws through the plywood and into the boards at 6- to 12-inch intervals, being careful not to place screws at the corner joints. The length between screws will be determined by the length of your box. If you're box is 4 feet long, 12-inch intervals will be fine. If it's only 2 feet long, you should use 6-inch intervals to keep the plywood bottom in place.
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8
Let the wood glue dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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9
Use a staple gun to attach a piece of plastic film cut to size inside the box. Fit it over the entire bottom and up the edges about 2 inches. This will prevent water from leaking out of the box and damaging the wood. You can purchase a high-grade plastic film at the hardware store or use a heavy grade garbage bag cut down the side, laid flat and cut to size.
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10
Lay an inch or two of pea or cut gravel in the bottom of your box on top of the plastic before putting in your soil.
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References
- Photo Credit Stefanie White/Photodisc/Getty Images
