Sub-irrigated planter (SIP)



3 vegetable growing systems based on living arrangement (click on the link for a larger image).

SIPs best-known example is Earthbox. As of year 2014, the most cost effective planter is available at Home Depot and Lowe's for $30.



Cucumbers after 6 weeks in SIP. Note the tepee (left) and another type of bamboo stick support with trellis (right).



Cucumbers, peppers, lettuce and Swiss chard in SIP.

DIY sub-irrigated planter for $12: mortar tub, perforated corrugated drain pipe, and water bottle

How to make a potting soil for a 5-gallon SIP bucket?

1. Miracle Grow potting soil works well.

2. Alternatively, you can mix your own by using 2/3rds peat moss and 1/3 manure or compost and a couple of handfuls of vermiculite (it lightens the soil). You can add a cup of garden lime or dolomite, and a handful of Epsom salts. Source: Inside Urban Green: Meet Larry Hall, Rain Gutter Sub-irrigated Planter System Guy Par Excellence http://bit.ly/NnYHU5

You can make your own potting mix:

- 30% peat moss or coco coir
- 30% perlite or vermiculite
- 30% compost or soil

You will need one cubic foot potting mix/soil (not garden soil or top soil). You can add an organic fertilizer (1.5 to 2 cups per bucket). For tomatoes only, you add hydrated lime (one cup per bucket mixed into top 6 inches of soil).



5-gallon bucket at Home Depot.

Grow Box - Sub-irrigated planter (SIP) by Garden Patch - http://goo.gl/Zu8sS



EarthBox - sub-irrigated planter, garden container for vegetables



Which plastics are safe as plant containers to grow vegetables? Which ones should not be used?

Sub-irrigated Raised Beds & Planters (SIPs) - a set on Flickr http://bit.ly/NeIMJY

Inside Urban Green: Meet the Beet Buckets http://bit.ly/NnYOPo

Chicago Rooftop Veggie Garden - a set on Flickr http://bit.ly/NnYS1B

Making a self watering container http://bit.ly/NnZAff

Sub-irrigation Planter Fill Pipes: Recyled Water Bottles http://bit.ly/NnZBjt

Green Roof Growers: How to Make a Two Bucket Sub-Irrigated Planter (SIP) http://bit.ly/NnZDaP

Ultimate Vegetable TeraHydro Boxe DIY http://bit.ly/OLgcSE

Inside Urban Green: Converting Clay and Ceramic Drain Hole Pots to Sub-Irrigated Planters (SIPs) http://bit.ly/OLgglf -- A DYI sub-irrigation systems for planters-SIP - a set on Flickr http://bit.ly/OLgiK2

How to grow vegetables in containers (PDFs):

Container vegetable gardening - Iowa State University http://goo.gl/UIwtc

Growing Vegetables in Containers - Cornell University http://goo.gl/HcBqs

Growing Vegetables, Herbs and Annual Flowers in Containers from Cornell Cooperative Extension http://goo.gl/KbKiL

A Homer Bucket Has Many Uses - Home Depot blog http://goo.gl/Pqty2

1 comment:

Unknown said...

The Home Depot buckets ARE not food grade, and toxins are used on them during production that make them unsafe to use for growing food. Lowe's sells FOOD GRADE containers, or you can get free ones from food stores, delis, etc.