tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post6288339347961749734..comments2024-03-29T02:58:22.879-05:00Comments on MrBrownThumb: Homemade Sub-Irrigation Planter Like The EarthBox and Grow BoxMrBrownThumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326733084344581944noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-17347964399878611332015-04-10T15:11:23.710-05:002015-04-10T15:11:23.710-05:00Hey, maybe I'm super dumb but I don't unde...Hey, maybe I'm super dumb but I don't understand how to actually assemble this?? Are there instructions somewhere?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-58101594156519194642012-05-20T01:55:35.086-05:002012-05-20T01:55:35.086-05:00I've been having really good results with fibe...I've been having really good results with fiber bags, made from landscape cloth. I DO use a sewing machine, which might count as a power tool. <br /><br />http://eatingoffthefoodgrid.blogspot.com/2012/05/simplified-grow-bags.html<br /><br />My plants are BIG and healthy, even in May. And portable. Just pick it up and move. My first tomatoes are just forming. The cost is about 40 cents per bag, but they should last for many years.<br /><br />The bags need to sit in some water, but the container can be just about anything. Just make sure there is a hole 2" or so above the bottom, so they don't get "rained out". I've used plastic sheeting, old plastic tubs, Rubbermaid totes, or just the usual black nursery trays.Heather Twisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10156331078314817552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-2481912691174800772011-01-09T14:00:04.871-06:002011-01-09T14:00:04.871-06:00Ooooh, the squeak! aaargh!Ooooh, the squeak! aaargh!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-32057928217683356122010-04-30T20:35:58.696-05:002010-04-30T20:35:58.696-05:00Dirty Girl,
It was actually really easy.
Shawna,...Dirty Girl,<br /><br />It was actually really easy.<br /><br />Shawna,<br />Thanks.<br /><br />Jay3fer,<br />Lol the frugal gardening spirit.MrBrownThumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11326733084344581944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-39067922542464325962010-04-28T09:12:38.143-05:002010-04-28T09:12:38.143-05:00Just noticed this post. I agree that the cost of ...Just noticed this post. I agree that the cost of these products is sickening; making them from scratch is far more economical and you get the same GREAT results. Here is one I <br />made from a bin I found by the side of the road for exactly ZERO dollars: <br />http://ronypony.blogspot.com/2009/06/even-easier-cheaper-than-ever-sub-i.html<br />And these are my basic planters that cost a few dollars each for the styrofoam - yes, I like styrofoam, too, because it's difficult to kill yourself cutting it.<br />http://ronypony.blogspot.com/2009/05/wonderful-world-of-sub-irrigation.htmlTziviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11828930310967808828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-48843277983777128302010-04-03T18:49:29.882-05:002010-04-03T18:49:29.882-05:00Very nice - keep up the great work!
ShawnaVery nice - keep up the great work!<br /><br />ShawnaShawna Lee Coronadohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13689376028415073538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-56143847861109322822010-04-03T13:01:18.311-05:002010-04-03T13:01:18.311-05:00Looks like a lot of work!Looks like a lot of work!Dirty Girl Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01856885297555604550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-5957950870139765222010-04-03T12:53:24.084-05:002010-04-03T12:53:24.084-05:00Monica,
There are two holes in the container that ...Monica,<br />There are two holes in the container that the peppers are planted in. In one hole there is a strip of muslin that wicks water up that is being stored in the container on the bottom. The second hole holds a piece of copper pipe. You pour water into the pipe, it goes down into the bottom container and is wicked up into the medium the plant is growing in.MrBrownThumbhttp://mrbrownthumb.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-23033883744477922032010-04-03T12:30:24.024-05:002010-04-03T12:30:24.024-05:00I was surprised to learn a while back that all gre...I was surprised to learn a while back that all green peppers turn yellow or red over time... or, maybe more accurately, all yellow or red peppers were once green. That's why red peppers are more expensive in the store because they take longer to grow. My backyard is pretty windy, so I'd probably use a soil mix, not coir which tends to be lighter, but that's just me. I'm not clear on how you used the styrofoam coolers if not as containers with drainage holes. And I'm not sure what makes Earth Boxes Earth boxes, as opposed to containers. ??Monica the Garden Faeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06369882350990949968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-50565054159859343392010-03-31T23:47:01.724-05:002010-03-31T23:47:01.724-05:00Thanks for commenting everyone. Glad to see I'...Thanks for commenting everyone. Glad to see I'm not the only one who isn't a natural Norm Abram. <br /><br />Stephanie,<br />Give it a try.<br /><br />Colleen,<br />I think seeing a pic of yours may have gotten me in the mood to make my own too. <br /><br />Garden Girl,<br />You're right. I let these stay on and turn read because I got tired of eating so many green pepper last year that I wanted a bit of variety. <br /><br />Barbara,<br />So glad to hear that you're inspired. I recently been feeling inspired to by seeing how enthusiastic some newbie gardeners are. Thank you for the kind words.<br /><br />Alexander,<br />Dude, I hope you make some SIPs in your new digs and that you're able to take some of your seedlings with you. <br /><br />Dave,<br />Yeah, I saw them in a lot of demo gardens last year and really loved how easy they make gardening for a lot of people. Especially people who don't have much land to garden in.<br /><br />NotSoCrafty,<br />Yeah, these storage containers are usually the most expensive parts of these. Sometimes I see them in the alley near trash day and I feel like collecting them for these kinds of projects :0)<br /><br />Kerry,<br />That's awesome that you got to interview the GM and you're right, the story of the EarthBox is a really cool one.<br /><br />Nature Assassin,<br />They did have a couple of beehives on the roof last year. Not sure if they still do or if they were expanded. Hope they do their farmers market again this year as it was a fun place to visit.MrBrownThumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11326733084344581944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-77756494124901211762010-03-31T23:29:38.554-05:002010-03-31T23:29:38.554-05:00Hey, that's the Uncommon Ground right by me! I...Hey, that's the Uncommon Ground right by me! I'm on Devon and Clark. I heard they have their own apiary on the roof as well? Never checked out their farmers market before... usually I opt for Evanston. Now I'll have to go!Nature Assassinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-27349021826868763072010-03-31T21:25:04.316-05:002010-03-31T21:25:04.316-05:00I tried an Earthbox last year was really surprised...I tried an Earthbox last year was really surprised by how great it was. I also interviewed the GM at the company and loved the story of how the design came about and the fact that they seem to last forever. Expensive, but truly a good design.<br /><br />Love your cooler planters too.Kerrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-26990520805663873622010-03-31T09:59:05.942-05:002010-03-31T09:59:05.942-05:00I made an earth trainer last year following this v...I made an earth trainer last year following this very detailed tutorial. http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/<br />It is cheaper if you already had rubbermaid containers lying around. It worked great with the tomatoes and it's now being used for peas.Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06124650394163844306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-9270147594760053182010-03-31T09:22:38.194-05:002010-03-31T09:22:38.194-05:00Definitely looks like an easy way to grow! We had ...Definitely looks like an easy way to grow! We had guy from UTMG come talk to our garden club about making earth boxes last year out of plastic containers. It's definitely worth building yourself if you have the time, you save a lot of money.Davehttp://www.growingthehomegarden.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-82256566463507213712010-03-31T08:48:11.843-05:002010-03-31T08:48:11.843-05:00I was just talking about sub-irrigation with a cow...I was just talking about sub-irrigation with a coworker last night and this is really great!, i've been wanting to make one of these, but to be honest i've been a little intimidated. I'll have to save it for NY but can't wait to try itAlexander Romanhttp://www.finding-my-greenthumb.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-60688168538808904832010-03-31T08:27:30.262-05:002010-03-31T08:27:30.262-05:00Well, this is certainly spring inspiration. I'...Well, this is certainly spring inspiration. I'm ENERGIZED now. Thank you. Love the pics too, you are an role model in many areas.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14446216858079895691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-37834624293432905122010-03-31T06:28:40.139-05:002010-03-31T06:28:40.139-05:00Very cool MBT - definitely less pricey than the re...Very cool MBT - definitely less pricey than the ready-made ones, and safer for klutzes like me than the ones made from plastic bins. (I have 'issues' with tools as well.) <br /><br />Those peppers look delicious. Green ones are tasty, but I definitely like most peppers best when they're fully-ripe - so much more flavor, and alot sweeter.garden girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13284047851881823280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-37489037286370246432010-03-31T05:04:11.577-05:002010-03-31T05:04:11.577-05:00I made one out of a plastic storage bin, and it wo...I made one out of a plastic storage bin, and it works great but was definitely a bit scary to make (I am accident-prone beyond belief...) I see these all the time, especially during the summer, and never thought to make a planter out of them. Definitely going to try it this year!<br /><br />Great post MBT.Colleen Vanderlindenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08396040906688814232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-6488503454259489102010-03-31T01:03:47.863-05:002010-03-31T01:03:47.863-05:00I cannot handle a drill! This method of using styr...I cannot handle a drill! This method of using styrofoam box is good for me. Thanks for sharing. Btw, I like that video showing how to make a self-watering container.... good frugal idea.Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05867061279916535777noreply@blogger.com