I have a plethora of cat litter buckets. I would like to make homemade EBs out of them for my front deck. But I'm thinking that the basket in the bottom may need to be scaled down. Anyone have experience doing this?
Karen
Has anyone done homemade boxes that are smaller?
how large are the buckets (diameter, height, how many gallons)
They are 11.5x9 and 11.5 deep. I don't know how many gallons. They are the big ScoopAway buckets.
Karen
Funny you should post this, that is exactly what I was going to do! I do not see why not. I would imagine you could only get two or three plants in one but the theory would be the same. Actually been giving it some thought. Do not have any practical experience with this type of planting system so am open to suggestions. I also have not read the old threads (yet) so do not know exactly what they look like. The older cat litter pails I have came with hinged lids but the newest one has a solid lid and both types could have the centers cut out and the remaing rim could hold weed barrier cloth rigid for the cover. I was thinking of getting some peg board and cutting it to size to serve as the divider between the water reservoir and the soil. Being wood it would eventually need to be replaced but is pretty inexpensive. The black plastic pots that a lot of garden plants come in (the hard ones not the soft sided ones) would work for the basket if you used a portable drill and put a lot of holes in it and it could be cut down to size if need be. Small diameter pvc pipe would fit as well for filling the water reservior. What do you think?
My cat litter pails have a lid that comes off by pulling a strip around the top of the pail. The lids pop right back on, so they would work well with the center cut out. Since I want them for planting flowers and such for my front deck, two or three plants in them would be fine.
I do have a number of the small plastic nursery pots. I never thought about cutting them down in height. That might just work. For a container this size, would 3" be high enough? What is the height and width ratio on the regular-sized EBs between the basket and the container? There are mesh pencil holders, but they're about $4 each.
I have lots of PVC, both in 1" and 1 1/2". No problem with that. I even have some paint for plastic. If I get really ambitious, I can make them pretty, too.
Karen
I saw a wonderful photo set on Flickr that showed how to make EB's out of 5-gallon buckets. They wouldn't be that different. You'd be limited to fewer plants per container and have to water more often, that's all.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1904grg/sets/72157603959350377/
gardenwife,
That's a great site -- good photos.
Thanks,
Karen
There is a downloadable PDF on the left hand side that gives step by step on how to make various sizes.
tetleytuna,
Thank you. I downloaded it.
Karen
I've been recycling cat litter containers for a couple of years as EB style planters. I only put one plant in each and have successfully grown peppers and "Eight-Ball" zucchini. I experimented with several styles of home-made EBs this summer. I will post photos. The first photo shows the materials that I used.
Libby
This photo shows the detail attachment of the basket to the bottom of the smaller/shorter cat litter box. I used a utility knife to cut the opening in the bottom and plastic "wire" ties to secure it in place.
Libby
nice set-up
what are the dimensions of the basket and where did you find it
Here is the photo of the finished cat litter EB. I filled it with planting mix and placed the fertilizer under the back of the cover. I had cut a small opening about 1" by 1.5 " in the middle of the lid for the plant. I planted seeds in this one and covered with a clear plastic lid until the seeds germinated. I have a few more photos of the process if anyone needs to see them.
Libby
These are very helpful, Libby. I'd appreciate more pictures.
The basket is a pond basket, 5x5x4. I bought a couple of dozen online several years ago when I started making EBs.
Libby
Libby,
Those are terrific! I too would like to see more photos. Are those two different sizes of buckets? Mine are all alike. I haven't yet measured how far down into one bucket the other bucket will go, but I think it will leave several inches of space.
I just emptied two litter buckets a couple of weeks ago and bought three more yesterday. LOL.
Karen
We don't use clumping litter, so I'm going to put some posts out on Freecycle this winter and see if anyone has extra cat litter buckets or plastic totes available.
This is a view looking down in to the EB. I'm sorry, but I just hold the parts together and draw around them with a permanent marker and start cutting. I don't have any measurements. With this brand of cat litter, the bottom of the box is not flat and provides some opportunity for creative planning and use of materials.
Libby
This is a more detailed look at the bottom. I drilled holes in the bottom for aeration. My husband helped me cut out the larger opening for the 2" pipe. The litter boxes are sturdy enough that you don't need any more support between the two boxes.
Libby
Libby,
Thanks for the additional photos. I'm a "mark around it and start cutting" type, too. Did you drill holes and then secure the basket with zip ties? Mine are the Scoop Away brand buckets. Did you figure out anything creative to do with the extra lids?
I just know I can do this.
Karen
Those are the same litter boxes that we use for our cat? What a creative idea!
It looks like those zip ties are just the thing for holding it all together. What a simple, but perfect, design these things are.
Libby -
I know this is a few months ago, but do you have any pictures of the plants you grew in the containers?
Syrumani
See what happens when good minds all come together? LOL
joy112854
Liblew, great demonstrations and photos. These systems would be especially good for apt dwellers. For all of us out here who don't have a cat I found that the supermarkets that have deli/bakeries usually have several sizes of buckets from 1 gal up to 5 and here the 5 gal sell for .50 cents. I looked into the [HYPERLINK@www.flickr.com] link and I think I can do a number of these. This is something I can work on this winter. I am buying an EB and also building an HEB. I had thought to use straw bales but the more I think about it the more I see the benefits of this way of gardening. D in TN
We're considering moving into an apartment, but I definitely do not want to stop my gardening. And, since I do have a few empty cat litter containers . . . I can start getting the larger size litter containers. I already have pvc pipe (or I could get wide fish tank tubing) - all I'd need to do is get the basket part.
Merry Christmas! Garden planning/dreaming begins! I experimented with building self-watering containers last year looking for alternatives that were less expensive. I work in a mental health facility and many of our clients have few resources to grow produce after leaving us. I bought larger, round self-watering planters from WalMart, $4.97, and sealed up the drainage holes in the bottom with Gorilla Glue. I used the bottom of a cheap laundry basket from a Dollar Store, cut to size, for the bottom "platform" and various lengths of PVC and throwaway containers to make some more attractive containers. I grew some nice peppers in them. Seems like these planters would be very acceptable in an apartment setting. The cheapest containers were buckets and pet feeding dishes from the dollar store, using plastic soft drink bottles cut up for the additional parts. It was very flimsy and would have only lasted one growing season.
Libby
Has anyone done any homemade boxes that are larger is what I'd like to know. While everyone was having sugar plum fairies dancing in their heads the other night, I was dreaming of this giant earth box. It was as big as one of those above ground type gardens. Can you imagine? Now, I'm just thinking.........
joy112854
Libby I think I saw just what you were dreaming of [instead of sugar plums.] I was at our local feed store and there was a good size tub which would be perfect for an EB. I think you would have to devise a different sort of insert, because of the cost of one of these babies, but my goodness can you imagine how much you could grow in one of these? I will look into it for myself. I don't have the measurements handy but I would say they are roughly 30 inches tall and about the size of the small ponds you see at Lowe’s, very sturdy, too. The height would be good for disabled gardeners as well.
Of course when I see how much they cost I may back down. Always looking. S in TN
Devota: I found on that one site where someone made one from an 8 foot food grade fresh water tank (for a boat), can you imagine the groceries we could grow in that thing? Heck with the raised beds, this would be much better I would think. Now my lazy side is showing up I suppose?
joy112854
If I understand the EB concept, packing plant medium in the four corners provide a means for water to wick to the rest of the medium. Just wondering if the EB container is very large would the center become moist enough to sustain healthy plant life.
If any potters read this, please go to this thread http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/934068/ and voice your support for a Pottery Forum. and voice your support for a Pottery Forum.
Hmmm. Now we have a challange. Something to occupy the winter blahs. I think that if you used a larger container you would just have to adjust everything to size. In the end it might be waaaay to expensive but I am a dedicated DIYer. I love this forum and the suggestions on it make so much sense.
"Libby I think I saw just what you were dreaming of"
Sorry Libby and Joy for the mix up. I think I can tell the difference; let's see Joy lives in the lovely state of Fla where she can pretty much garden year round and Libby lives nearer my neck of the woods where we can only dream of doing that. Devota
Oh! This site is going to be fun to see all the concotions that one will create! Who knows? It may be a great success for all of us....I would love to have a giant EB but in order to work it, it would have to be long and narrow so you can tend the plants.
TPlant oh EB guru, I have so many questions to ask of you. You have so much experience in this new field and BocaBob too. So get ready... Devota in TN
READY!!!
OK, If I pick up a handful of properly hydrated Coir will I be able to squeeze any water from it?
I recently purchased locally a 1.5 lbs Coir Briquette by Ceyhinz Coir just to try. The instructions suggest to place the brick in 3 gal bucket and add 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 gal of water. Allow 15 - 20 minutes to absorb and expand to max capacity. Then mix with soil to achieve required consistency (???) and add any required nutrients or fertilizer.
I an considering growing a couple tomatoes in 5 gal pickle buckets this year and would like to try the Coir thing. I don't thing I'm quite ready for the EB thing just yet, However, If I pick up one off ebay for $35 delv'd, then I might go ahead and give it a go.
I tell you, all this gardening talk really has my enthusiasm running high. Yesterday, I cleaned of one of my grow light shelves just to start seed early this coming year (see photo). This rack is a carry over from years ago when I was addicted to growing African Violets. For a long time now, the shelves served as junk collectors for pottery tools, etc.
Hi Texas, Properly hydrated(ready to use coir) has all excess water drained from it. It feels moist and crumbly and no extra water can be squeezed from it. Coco Coir can be used to amend any potting mix or soil. It will only help make your growing medium better. I use it by itself, which is perfectly fine. All my vegetables have done much better this year. I now only grow in Coco Coir. I do all container growing. Make sure your 5 gallon buckets have plenty of holes drilled in the bottom. The more drainage the better, and if you use coir with proper drainage, you can never over water your plants.
BocaBob
All my types of container growing systems, BGTP(Bob's Green Thumb Bucket Planter), Hydro-Stacker, 5-gallon grow bags (black and white), Layflat Grow bags
I am cooking again today; hosting both kids and their friends and my grandbaby with an open house so this will be my little break before everyone gets here.
Okay, Tplant this is for you but I want BocaBob's input too. I want to grow corn in me real EB in the spring. Is there a good, sweet, dwarf variety that you use or do you plant regular size? Also on one thread I saw that you, Bob, had actually planted corn plants, rather than seeds. How long did it take to get them that size and how did you go about it? I had always heard that corn didn't transplant well but yours sure did. I have read everything I can and this is the most helpful place there is. This is my container box education. D in TN
BocaBob
Great marketing photo! That is the way to grow an abundance of strawberries on a minimum amount of real estate!
Here is what I'm thinking for starters: 1. 5 gal bucket w/lid, 2. Coir & compost 75/25 mix, 3. black oil drain tub from Walmart, and 4. tomato stake YTBD.
To prep: cut holes on the sides at the bottom of the bucket and also a hole in the lid; mix Coir and compost & fill bucket; set bucket in black tub to water and liquid feed from the bottom with an occasional feeding from the top and an occasional foliar feeding.
Hopefully, the compost will take care of any trace minerals not provided by the Coir.
BocaBob, I am sending you a D-Mail. I am not giving up on the idea that I can buy your Coir in a way for the shipping to be more cost effective for me.
Jerry
Hi D in TN I did grow corn from transplants 2 seasons ago. They were ready for transplanting in 2 weeks. Corn grows fast.This year I planted corn seed direct, and I prefer this method. I had much stronger plants this year. Tplant knows the best varieties. Good luck
BocaBob