PlanterPonics
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PlanterPonics Overview
Fresh herbs are tasty and healthy. But buying them from a market often leads to buying more than you want or can even consume before it goes bad. Growing your own in the backyard can be more work than you want to put in.
So we designed PlanterPonics to meet the needs of those trying to feed their families the best tasting, healthy food possible, cheaply. Though the system uses high yield technology, it is exceedingly simple to build and maintain, requires minimal tools, and is designed to fit in with any home aesthetic.
Working Together
We hope to measure the performance of PlanterPonics systems you use around the world and share refinements/modifications/improvements in an open and collaborative way.
PlanterPonics Availability
PlanterPonics can be made using the instructions below and parts available at any hardware store or by ordering kits from us. We will also do our best to facilitate group buys to see if we can lower prices for all involved.
Simply email me if you are interested in a group buy or purchasing a kit that includes everything you need to build your own.
Required Parts
- Planter box. $7. here Any material you are comfortable with works. For both cost and simplicity, make sure it comes with a....
- Planter box tray. $3 here
- Net pots. ~$2.5. here (Left over from the DIY Aeroponics System build.)
- Hydroton. ~$2.5. here (Also left over from the DIY Aeroponics System build.)
- Air pump. $8. here
- Air stones. Basic, $1.30 at PetCo. Better, $4 here
- Air lines. $4. here
Total: ~$27
Remember, you can use the extra netpots and hydroton to build a second box or a DIY Aeroponics System.
Required Tools
- Drill with a 1 3/4inch hole saw or a box cutter.
- Measuring tape or ruler.
PlanterPonics Location
A window like this one is ideal because it offers easy access in the kitchen, and offers sunlight. Any table by a window should be fine as well. You will need an electricity outlet though, so select accordingly.
PlanterPonic Building Instructions
- Measure where the net pots will go on the tray. I just used the existing 19in x 3in indentation and evenly spaced out five pots about an inch and a half apart. Mark these spots.
- Drill/Cut holes. Make sure you do not cut the width of your net pots. Leave about a quarter inch so that it will sit in the hole and not fall through. If you will be using a hole saw, I found drilling a pilot hole invaluable.
- Connect air tubes to air stones and your pump.
- Place tube and airstone inside planter.
- Consider where you would like to have your power cord run and drill/cut a hole accordingly.
- Place tray inside planter.
- Place net pots in holes in planter.
- Wash five net pots worth of hydroton and then allocate among pots.
Note: I heartily recommend using a standard plastic terra cotta imitation planter and tray, at least for the first version. However, if you simply must have that heavier and prettier one, but it lacks a tray, you can cut a plank of appropriate width 3/4inch pine to size.
PlanterPonics Performance
Three weeks of solid growth. 7.5ml of grow. 507ppm.
