Grow Box Build

Canes1 · May 22, 2016

Trying to figure out where to put my peppers in the near future so I got an idea to try making a grow box out of some collapsible boxes we get at work. Not really sure if it's going to work work but........ I used heavy duty landscape barrier to keep the wood from rotting, wish me luck.

SavinaRed · May 22, 2016

As long as there is drainage on the bottom they should work great.

meinchoh · May 22, 2016

Looks great! I'd keep an eye on soil temps in July and August when it really heats up. The black lining may raise the temps pretty high.

solid7 · May 22, 2016

meinchoh said:
Looks great! I'd keep an eye on soil temps in July and August when it really heats up. The black lining may raise the temps pretty high.

Not in a wood box, it won't. But even so, warm roots and super hots = perfection.

I'd be more worried about how the wood was treated. You did make sure that it was food safe, right? Being that it says SKF, I'm assuming bearings, so probably no concern was given to food shipping and handling. You don't want "stuff" leaching into your grow media...

Spicy Mushroom · May 22, 2016

But even so, warm roots and super hots = perfection.

There is warm and there is inferno

Native temps for many are more ideally like 85-90 F. My summers are a brutally consistent 100+ at peak. Record here is 115F.

I'm concerned about the black as well. Otherwise, I think it's a solid idea.

Student of Spice · May 22, 2016

that is a really good box set up, you should have some awesome pepper production

Scovie · May 22, 2016

Put caster wheels under them. Trust me.

austin87 · May 23, 2016

Scoville DeVille said:
Put caster wheels under them. Trust me.

This cannot be emphasized enough. Furniture dollies also work great.

Myxlplyk · May 23, 2016

Or a pallet jack.

Hawaiianero · May 23, 2016

Myxlplyk said:
Or a pallet jack.

Casters are a lot cheaper :rofl:

only works if you got a concrete patio or wooden deck. Still, being able to move around is a big plus.
Most crates and shipping boxes are made from untreated wood so you're good for a season. after that you got mulch, just watch for the metal pieces.

Canes1 · May 23, 2016

solid7 said:
Not in a wood box, it won't. But even so, warm roots and super hots = perfection.

I'd be more worried about how the wood was treated. You did make sure that it was food safe, right? Being that it says SKF, I'm assuming bearings, so probably no concern was given to food shipping and handling. You don't want "stuff" leaching into your grow media...

I looked it up,the wood is baked at higher temps to kill any insects in it,no pesticides or chems used on it,first thing I did when I brought them home.thanks for the heads up though.

Canes1 · May 23, 2016

Spicy Mushroom said:
There is warm and there is inferno Native temps for many are more ideally like 85-90 F. My summers are a brutally consistent 100+ at peak. Record here is 115F.

I'm concerned about the black as well. Otherwise, I think it's a solid idea.

Up here in NY it may get into the 90s but nothing to extreme. When I was wrapping them it didn't seem to warm-up in the sun at all, I figured the wood would insulate it anyways

solid7 · May 23, 2016

Canes1 said:
I figured the wood would insulate it anyways

Exactly right.

Spicy Mushroom said:
There is warm and there is inferno Native temps for many are more ideally like 85-90 F. My summers are a brutally consistent 100+ at peak. Record here is 115F.

I'm concerned about the black as well. Otherwise, I think it's a solid idea.

There is just no way that the sun can overheat the media in wood. If you had a plastic nursery pot, yes. Even a double layer nursery pot will adequately insulate against hot temps, so that 1/2"-3/4" wood, even more so. What little bit of nursery cloth that will be showing won't be a problem.

Canes1 said:
I looked it up,the wood is baked at higher temps to kill any insects in it,no pesticides or chems used on it,first thing I did when I brought them home.thanks for the heads up though.

Good on you. A lot of people don't know and/or think to check these things.

Shorerider · May 23, 2016

Is this a grow box setup, or just a raised bed/planter?

willard3 · May 23, 2016

This should be posted in "Grow Tech" where:Discuss lights, heaters, irrigation systems, greenhouses, and DIY solutions. Show off your inventions!

Canes1 · May 23, 2016

Shorerider said:
Is this a grow box setup, or just a raised bed/planter?

Not really sure of the difference.

solid7 · May 23, 2016

Canes1 said:
Not really sure of the difference.

"Grow box" is a term that's typically equated with sub-irrigated planters. But since you're using landscape fabric, and make no mention of sealing the inside of the box, all indications are that you are building a raised bed. (too big to be considered a pot)

Myxlplyk · May 23, 2016

Hawaiianero said:
Casters are a lot cheaper
only works if you got a concrete patio or wooden deck. Still, being able to move around is a big plus.
Most crates and shipping boxes are made from untreated wood so you're good for a season. after that you got mulch, just watch for the metal pieces.

I agree. But in case you have one lying around... :party: