October 29, 2012
How To Build A Self Watering Rain Gutter Grow System!!!!
Ok so you want to build a Rain Gutter Grow System! Here is what you will need!
-2 10 ft treated 2×4’s
-1 10 ft rain gutter
-2 end caps (I prefer the U snap brand… because you can use standard pvc cement to glue on the ends)
–3 inch net cups they are cheap!
-pole barn roofing screws
–mini float valve
Drill a 2/78 inch hole in your container that you are going to plant in and the 3 inch net cup fits perfectly. Also you’ll need some pole barn roofing screws because they have a water tight seal on them. also a mini float valve to regulate water I use the one with the male 1/2 inch threads and buy a 1/2 threaded garden hose adapter to connect to it. You also can get the 3/8 barbed version and some 3/8 plastic hose and daisy chain a bunch together.You can use any good potting mix to grow your veggies in Not potting soil! Miracle grow potting mix works great or you can mix your own by using 2/3rds peat moss and 1/3 well rotted manure or compost and a couple of good handfuls of perlite! It lightens the soil. I also add about a cup of garden lime or dolomite, I also throw in a handful of Epsom salts. A standard batch I will make would be 2 5 gallon buckets of peat 1 bucket of compost or well rotted manure 1 cup garden lime and a handful Epsom salts. It has worked great for me!