How to Turn a Pallet into a Garden

Reposted, original post by FERN on  MARCH 25, 2011 

from blog: LIfe On the Balcony

Good news and bad news. I had planned to film a short video showing you how to make a pallet garden, but the weather didn’t cooperate. I was stapling the landscape fabric onto the pallet when it started drizzling and got really windy. That’s the bad news. But I know I promised a tutorial today, so I took photos and have kept my word to share how to make the pallet garden. I tried to be as detailed as possible. That’s the good news. 

So keep reading my pallet loving friends, instructions on how to make your own pallet garden are just a few lines away…

Find a Pallet

The first thing you need to do is–obviously–find a pallet. I’ve had good luck finding them in dumpsters behind supermarkets. No need to be squeamish. It doesn’t smell. At least, it doesn’t smell that bad.   Don’t just take the first pallet you find. You’re looking for one with all the boards in good condition, no nails sticking out, no rotting, etc. If you intend to put edibles in your pallet, be sure to find one that was heat treated as opposed to fumigated with pesticides.

Collect Your Supplies

For this project, you’ll need the pallet you found, 2 large bags of potting soil, 16 six packs of annual flowers (one six pack per opening on the face of the pallet, and two six packs per opening on the top of the completed pallet garden), a small roll of landscape fabric, a staple gun, staples, and sand paper.

Get Your Pallet into Shape

Once you’ve dragged your pallet home, give it a once over. Are any of the boards a little loose? Is the wood chipping in places? Nail down any loose boards, and use sand paper to smooth down any rough spots.

Let the Stapling Begin!

Decide which side of the pallet will be the bottom when the pallet garden is completed and leaning against the wall. You are going to be covering the bottom, back, and sides with landscape fabric, leaving  the spaces between the slats and the top uncovered (you’ll be planting flowers in the uncovered spaces).

Lay the pallet face down. Roll the landscape fabric over the back. Cut two identically sized pieces that are long enough to go from the top edge of the back of the pallet and wrap all the way around the bottom, plus a few extra inches.

Hold the two pieces of landscape fabric together as if they were one piece of fabric. Fold over the top edge by one inch and center it on the top board of the back of the pallet. Staple the fabric into place near the top edge of the top board. Smooth the fabric out to the left and right and pull it taut. Staple the fabric down on the top, right edge of the top board. Repeat on the left side. Fill in between those three staples with one staple every two inches along the top edge of the top board.

When the top of the landscape fabric is securely attached to the top, back board, smooth the fabric down, and repeat the process along the bottom edge of the bottom board, except don’t fold the fabric under, leave a long flap on the bottom.

Pulling the fabric tautly along the bottom, fold the cut edge under, and staple the fabric down along the front edge of the bottom. Smooth the fabric out to the left and right and staple every two inches along the front edge of the bottom.

Now for the sides. Start near the bottom and fold the excess fabric inwards as if you were wrapping a present. Fold the cut edge of the fabric under and staple it down near the front, bottom edge of the side facade. Smooth the fabric out and place a staple every two inches along the front edge of the side of the pallet. The fabric should be taut but not in danger of tearing. Repeat on the other side of the pallet.

You should now have a pallet with landscape fabric wrapped around the sides, back, and bottom. Place more staples along the spine of the back side of the pallet, and anywhere else you think the fabric needs to be held down so that soil can’t creep into places you don’t want it to go.

Now for the Fun Part–Planting!

Bring the pallet close to wherever it’s final spot will be and lay it down face up. You’re going to plant it while it’s laying flat on the ground.

First slide the plants into what will be the top. Plant everything very tightly, you should have to practically shoe horn the last plant into place. Now that you have capped the top, pour the entire first bag of potting soil on top of the pallet. Push the soil into the pallet between the slats and smooth it out so that the soil is level. Repeat with the second bag of potting soil.

Push potting soil into the bottom cavity, so that there is a trench directly below one of the bottom openings. Plant six plants in the trench, so that they are very tightly fitted into the opening. Repeat with the other bottom opening. Now push the potting soil up against those flowers you just planted, making a trench beneath one of the openings in the second row. Plant your flowers tightly in that opening. Repeat for all the remaining openings.

When you’re done planting, you should have plants that are completely covering every opening (i.e. there shouldn’t be any place for soil to fall out). There should also be soil firmly pushed into every part of the pallet where there aren’t plants.

Caring For your Pallet

Now, I’m going to tell you what you should do, and what I always end up doing (which is what you should not do). You should leave the pallet flat on the ground for a couple of weeks (watering when needed), so that the roots can start to grow in and hold all the plants in place. I can never wait though, so I always tip the pallet upright a few days after planting. Some soil does fall out, but it seems to be okay. But I think it would be better if you left it to settle and only tipped it upright after a few weeks. Do as I say, not as I do.

Water your pallet regularly, they dry out quickly. Pay special attention to the bottom two openings, they seem to be the driest. Fertilize with water soluble fertilizer added to your watering can (follow package instructions for amount and frequency).

Where NOT To Obtain Seeds: Monsanto: A Summary of a Truly Evil Corporation's Deeds

If you wanna see some scary-creepy stuff, google Monsanto, check out Wikipedia, read a few articles that you find and after that look at Monsanto’s corporate website.  There are not very many companies that I would go out of my way to boycott. (I feel guilty admitting this, but) even-though I am a huge supporter of  sustainably produced goods and food, I cannot think of a single company that I truly go out of my way to avoid, except Monsanto. (And Pharmacia, Monsanto's parent company and Seminis their child company.) My goal in writing this article is to create a succinct, yet thorough list of reasons to avoid buying Monsanto.  This goal proved more difficult than I originally planned due to the overwhelming amount of information available on the subject.

Monsanto has been creating chemicals since 1901. Since the 1940's the list of reasons that this corporate monster cannot be trusted has grown in leaps and bounds.  

Summary of Atrocities:

Develops Agent Orange, an herbicide that inadvertently causes millions of health problems

Manufactured for the U.S. Department of Defense primarily by Monsanto Corporation and Dow Chemical. During the Vietnam War, between 1962 and 1971, the United States military sprayed 12,000,000 US gallons of chemical herbicides and defoliants in Vietnam, eastern Laos and parts of Cambodia, as part of Operation Ranch Hand.[3] The program's goal was to defoliate forested and rural land, this is what resulted. 

Vietnamese babies, deformed andstillborn after prenatal dioxin exposure from Agent Orange

Continues Distribute PCBs (found in plastics) After Hiding Scary Effects on Environment, Fish and People 

From 1935, Monsanto was the sole producer of the chemicals known in the U.S. as PCBs.  They are highly toxic organochlorines linked to birth defects, infertility, impaired mental function in children, immune system weakness, and cancer. Now banned, many dangers still exist from PCBs lingering in the environment.  

Pollution in Anniston, Alabama

In 2002, The Washington Post carried a front page report on Monsanto's legacy of environmental damage in Anniston, Alabama related to its legal production of polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs), a chemical once used as a common electrical insulator, 40 years ago. Plaintiffs in a pending lawsuit provided documentation showing that the local Monsanto factory knowingly discharged both mercury and PCB-laden waste into local creeks for over 40 years.[46] In a story on 27 January, The New York Times reported that during 1969 alone Monsanto had dumped 45 tons of PCBs into Snow Creek, a feeder for Choccolocco Creek which supplies much of the area's drinking water. The company also buried millions of pounds of PCB in open-pit landfills located on hillsides above the plant and surrounding neighborhoods.[47] In August 2003, Solutia and Monsanto agreed to pay plaintiffs $700 million to settle claims by over 20,000 Anniston residents related to PCB contamination.[48]

Continues to Use and Create Agricultural Chemicals that Cause Substantial Health Problems in Humans, Animals and Plants

http://www.NaturalNews.com/032441_pesticide_AIDS.html Monsanto pesticide found to infect plants with AIDS-like disease

Columbians Bombed With RoundUp- A product created by slightly modifying DDT & Agent Orange

This summary below is from http://www.masipag.org/monsanto%20report.pdf 

In the year 2000, approximately 145,750 gallons of Roundup were sprayed over an area nearly 205 square miles in Columbia.  Local authorities counted 4,289 humans suffering skin or gastric disorders in the first two months of 2001. Some 178,377 animals (cattle, horses, pigs, dogs, ducks, hens and fish) were also reported killed by the spraying.

“Our only sustenance - manioc, banana, palms, sugar cane and corn - have been fumigated. Our sources of water - creeks, rivers, lakes, have been poisoned, killing our fish... Today, hunger is our daily bread. In the name of the Amazonian Indigenous people, I ask that the fumigations be immediately suspended.”

Being a "potentially responsible party" for 56 contaminated sites (Superfund sites) in the United States

According to an anonymous 2001 document[27] obtained by the Center for Public Integrity, Monsanto has been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as being a "potentially responsible party" for 56 contaminated sites (Superfund sites) in the United States. 

Bovine Growth Hormone Produces Pussfilled-Sores in Cows and Potential Cancer Risks to Humans

BST or rBGH marketed by Monsanto as Posilac is a genetically engineered hormone designed to make cows produce more milk. Large amounts of research indicate that BST makes cows prone painful sores  http://livingliberally.org/eating/blog/You-Heard-It-Oprah-Factory-Farms-Stink

EU Scientific Committee Warns of Human Health & Cancer Hazards Because of evidence that BST milk may cause breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer in humans, it is banned in Europe. Monsanto is trying to overturn the ban [42] http://www.purefood.org/rBGH/euwarn.cfm

Pushing Banned Products Into the Developing World

Monsanto is now trying to push their products in the developing world.   

Do a search on the internet for any of the following places plus the word Monsanto and see what comes up!

Mexico

Brazil

China 

Argentina 

India 

Germany 

UK

US 

Canada

Contaminating our Food & Environment with Genetically Modified Organisms aka GMO's

The following is quoted from http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=210

The long term effects of Monsanto’s GM crops on the environment are as yet unknown. In areas where RoundUp Ready crops are being grown commercially, herbicide tolerance is being spread to neighbouring crops and wild plants by cross pollination. Rather than reducing the amount of chemicals used in farming RoundUp Ready crops are locking farmers into a chemical dependant farming system [43].Several scientific studies have suggested that the Bt technology utilised by Monsanto in their Bollgard, YieldGard and NewLeaf insect resistant crops may kill ‘non-pest’ insects such as the Monarch butterfly [44].

http://youtu.be/FZ5OxdIq5DY This 10 minute video explains GMO technology 

Types of GMO's

Herbicide tolerant crops

Insect Resistant Crops 

Other GM Crops: a tomato with altered ripening characteristics, an oil-seed rape with altered fatty acid properties, Monsanto subsidiary, Asgrow, have marketed a multi-virus resistant squash

Pipeline GM crops: maize resistant to fungal and viral diseases,potatoes resistant to fungal diseases, wheat resistant to fungal and viral diseases and virus protected tomatoes, a 2nd generation of GM crops with altered nutrient value.

Monsanto Spends Millions Attacking Small Farms to Maintain Control  

Throughout 2004 and 2005, Monsanto filed lawsuits against many farmers in Canada and the U.S. on the grounds of patent infringement, specifically the farmers' sale of seed containing Monsanto's patented genes.  

The following is from http://tribes.tribe.net/d567e79c-968d-4191-89b2-a22ea588205a/thread/e7c37f1c-ad4f-4df4-b2c9-a5a457a220ef:

The entire concept of creating and selling patented GM seeds is based on proprietary corporate control: The seeds are non-replenishing and must be purchased anew each season, eliminating the time-honored farmer tradition of saving and re-using seeds. 

Anyone doubting Monsanto’s obsession with control can just ask just ask the thousands of farmers who have been sued and spied upon for alleged “seed piracy” – at least 2,391 farmers in 19 states through 2006, according to Monsanto website documents obtained by the Washington, DC-based Center for Food Safety (CFS). A report by CFS, using company records, found that “Monsanto has an annual budget of $10 million dollars and a staff of 75 devoted solely to investigating and prosecuting farmers.” 

Or ask Monsanto. Under the headline, “Why Does Monsanto Sue Farmers Who Save Seeds?” on its website, the firm states: “When farmers purchase a patented seed variety, they sign an agreement that they will not save and replant seeds produced from the seed they buy from us. More than 275,000 farmers a year buy seed under these agreements in the United States.” 

Aims to Control the World's Seed Supply 

This lengthy article explores potential reasons

http://www.seedalliance.org/Seed_News/SeminisMonsanto/ 

Attempting to Patent Ordinary Breeding Techniques aka Gain Legal Control of Life

As of February 2005, Monsanto has patent claims on breeding techniques for pigs which would grant them ownership of any pigs born of such techniques and their related herds. Greenpeace claims Monsanto is trying to claim ownership on ordinary breeding techniques.

Monsanto Rated Among Worst Corporate Lobbyists

http://www.NaturalNews.com/031532_Monsanto_lobbyists.html 

The company spent $8,831,120 for lobbying in 2008. $1,492,000 was to outside lobbying firms with the remainder being spent using in-house lobbyists.[113]

Former Monsanto lobbyist Michael R. Taylor was appointed as a senior adviser to the Food and Drug Administration (United States) Commissioner on food safety on July 7, 2009.[114]

Additional atrocities:

Child Labor

Farmer Suicides

Terminator Technology 

Corporate Bully Boys 

Climate Change Co-option 

Representation in the media

Documentaries:

▪                American Drug War

▪                The Esoteric Agenda.

▪                Food, Inc.

▪                The Corporation

▪                The Future of Food. Critical of Monsanto's activities in Canada and the US.

▪                Patent For A Pig

▪                The World According to Monsanto

▪                Seeds of Deception

▪                Plan Colombia: Cashing in the Drug War Failure

▪                The Monsanto Story[119]

▪                Life Running Out Of Control[120]

▪                David Versus Monsanto[121]

▪                Deconstructing Supper

Books:

▪                Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal (2001)

▪                Silent Spring

▪                Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking of the Global Food Supply by Vandana Shiva

In popular culture

▪                In the 2008 film Michael Clayton, the fictional chemical company U-North is loosely based on Monsanto.

▪                The folk band Seize The Day released a song entitled "Food `n health `n hope (Monsanto Song)".

▪                The documentary film Food, Inc. contains numerous references to Monsanto and its business practices.

▪                Punk rock band The Adolescents released a song entitled "Monsanto Hayride" criticizing corporate wrongdoing.

▪                Punk rock band Anti-Flag released a song entitled "The W.T.O. Kills Farmers" which accuses Monsanto of murder as a result of their business practices.

▪                In the second episode of the first season of Futurama, "The Series Has Landed", a Moon carnival ride named "The Goophy Gopher Revue" is said to have been sponsored/owned by Monsanto.[124]

▪                In the 2010 Indian film Peepli Live, the chief minister refers to 'somanto' and asks his assistant to award all government agriculture contracts to them.

▪                TV Show CSI: Miami (season 8) episode Bad Seed involves a corporation using tactics similar to Monsanto's.

For more in-depth examinations of the Monsanto Corporation check out:

Google Monsanto

Watch the feature length documentary, "The World According To Monsanto” on the web for free  http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-world-according-to-monsanto/.  

Wikipedia has a succinct summary; take a look at everything on their Monsanto page below,  Environmental and health record.

This report, released in 2003, is the most in-depth examination that I could find http://www.masipag.org/monsanto%20report.pdf

This article includes lists of both safe dealers and non-safe dealers http://www.garden-of-eatin.com/how-to-avoid-monsanto/

The new movement "Millions against Monsanto" which is a quickly growing grass roots effort to stop the madness in America.  http://www.naturalnews.com/Monsanto.html

We are talking about food, health and life... Which, creepily enough,  is Monsanto's new motto.  

It will be difficult to find seeds not distributed by them as they are the world’s largest vegetable seed company, but it’s completely worth your time and effort. 

The main question you can ask yourself is, "Why should I trust Monsanto with my health and my life?"  If you don't feel good about trusting them, then why would you support them by spending your hard-earned money on their products?

Questions to ask yourself and our president about Monsanto:

Is this company doing something beneficial for the community?

Is this company doing things that are beneficial for the environment?

Would you want a corporation or a few government officials controlling the world's food supply?

I'm off the GMO Fence and Running Away as Fast as Possible

I have heard a lot about GMO's but have never been able to find any evidence that seemed to make sense against them.  Tonight I saw a movie, The World According to Monsanto, which you can watch for free on the internet. But until you have a couple hours to watch it, this is a quick summary of why you should avoid Genetically Modified Foods:


DOUBLE DIPPING DANGER from NO GMO on Vimeo.

Cukey Cocktails

All of the recipes below have one thing in common... Cucumber is the feature ingredient.  I figured it would be appropriate for the gorgeous spring weather.     

Now here is a disclaimer about the "recipes": where I have provided the amounts, I made it up.  Please experiment on your own and let me know if you come up with something better. And if the proportions are not included it’s up to you to figure it out; it’s called mixology, have fun!

I tried this at the Alcove in Los Angeles:

Rye Whiskey

Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqeuer 

Cucumber

Agave

Lemon

Cantalope Cucumber Mint Cocktail http://www.foodista.com/blog/2009/07/20/cantaloupe-cucumber-mint-cocktail

Copa de Oro in Santa Monica has these recipes on the menu:

Santa Monica Gimlet

Tanqueray Gin, Celery, Cucumber, Fresh Lime Juice

Blachthorn Collins

Plymouth Gin, Sloe Gin, Cucumber, Thyme, Grapefruit Bitters, Fresh lemon Juice, Tonic

Atlas Bistro in Detroit featured this drink recipe in a magazine 

The Queue 

Pimms, Hendricks, Cucumber, Sour, Champagne 

Strawberry Cucumber Cocktail- I made this one up, but later tasted a similar drink without the soda or mint syrup at Bar Chloe in Santa Monica- it wasn’t on the menu, the bartender made it up.

1/3 Cucumber Muddled

1 strawberry Muddled 

.75 oz St Germain’s Elderflower Liqeuer 

1.5 oz Gin

1/2 lemon squeezed 

club soda

This recipe is brought to you all the way from China, Summer Tan:

Gin, Cucumber, Passion Fruit Syrup, Pineapple Juice & Apple Juice

From Katsuya, a chain sushi restaurant in LA  

Watermelon Cucumber Mojito

I made this with chocolate mint, club soda that was no longer carbonated and really old rum.. It wasn't great

2 oz Rum

1 oz watermelon

10 sprigs of mint

3" of cucumber

1 tsp sugar

top with club soda

Cucumber Collins from Roast in Detroit 

1.5 oz Cucumber infused Gin or 2" on cucumber muddled with 1.5 oz gin

.5 oz sweetened lime juice

.5 St Germains Elderflower Liqeuer 

top with tonic water

And here’s the motherload list of cucumber cocktails: http://www.barnonedrinks.com/drinks/by_ingredient/c/cucumber-8992.html

Another type of Macarons

Images are used from the website with permission. Copywrite 2011 Synchrophonic Corporation dba Duverger

This week I will attempt a baking recipe; something that I do not usually indulge in.  The reason?  At the Atwater Farmer's market I bought a 3 pack of "cookies" for $5 from Les Macaron Duverger and after tasting the Blueberry Lavender Macaron, I will definitely be back for more!  However, since my budget will not allow this on a weekly basis, it's worth experimenting in my own kitchen. Unlike the equally delicious treat spelled "macaroon", these are light & fluffy with a rich ganache in the middle and they don't require coconut- though I bet a coconut version would taste amazing.

Here is a link to the recipe that I am going to try: http://hicookery.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/lavender-macarons/

These are the flavors that are available from Les Macaron Duverger:

Save Time, Money and Plants with Recycled Water

By AZRainman Mark Rain 

Filling up buckets with water from around the house is a good way to water plants you forget to water during your regular routine. 


I spend time filling up a watering can to take downstairs and water my raspberries, but If I put that can under the shower while I am waiting for the water to heat up, I would save time and money.  (I'd also feel less guilty about running water to take a long, warm shower while billions of people around the world are lucky to even get a 2 minute cold shower.)   


I got the idea from this blog post on Re-nest: 5 Ways to Collect and Reuse Water for Plants

Watering Options

Before planting, plan the most efficient way to water your plants, so that you can plant them accordingly..  If you have containers you probably need to water them by hand. For ground rooted plants, soaker hoses with timers are a great choice because they are easy to install, low maintenance and save tons of water due to very low evaporation rates.  Another of my favs is the self-watering container.  It's more work to plant, but if you fill the reservoir once a week, the plant literally waters itself, which means the optimum health of the plant and the best water conservation.  The next step at mi casa is to install a rain water catchment system and greywater capture.  I can still use drip systems to distribute the water I capture from these processes.

Vegetables generally need average water until fruiting, then heavy water.  Fruit trees in general need average water until mature.  Average means inconsistently watering down to the roots a couple times a week.  Check how long it takes to get water to the roots by digging into the dirt a few inches. During adulthood, citrus trees need less water and they are drought tolerant.  

This great article is an in-depth look at what "Average" watering means for a fruit tree.  It talks about a citrus tree, but we can generalize.  

http://meyerlemontree.com/watering.html

By PV KS Kevin K

Watering Options

Hand Water 

Use a hose with an adjustable nozzle on the end or a watering can.  Unless you are blessed with lots of rain at just the right time, you will probably have to do this until your seeds sprout.  While watering observe what’s goin’ on in your plants life.  Does it look healthy?  If not what can you determine from looking at it closely.  Are there bugs hiding in the leaves?  If you have lots to water, it is not recommended as a long term plan, since it takes lots of time.   

by Keith Williamson

Program a Timer to work with a soaker hose or sprinkler system 

Video http://youtu.be/oUoir-wk2Yc  My thoughts drifted to a million other places watching this boring video... If you find a better one, or make a better one, send it my way so I can get this one outta here!

By JobyOne Joby Elliott

Drip Hose Systems 

Before attaching the hose to your faucet, install a filter to catch small rocks that could cause your hose to burst.

Install a Soaker/Drip Hose Video http://youtu.be/mf4d1Y4SSbw

Install a Multi Drip/Spout Irrigation System Video http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-install-a-multi-drip-irrigation-system-2

Sprinkler System

You could use this instead of hand watering when you plant seeds since the surface is the part that should be the most wet... But this wastes the most water and can cause mold and disease to spread especially in cucumber vines which are very susceptible.

Combine either Grey Water or Rain Water Capture with a Drip System

Video overview of Grey Water and How to Install a Legal (in Sonoma County, CA in 2009) Greywater System http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBMpaWq4EKE I am using this system to plan my own... However, it's 30 min long, 10x longer than most of the recommended videos!  Start 6 min in to get past the chat about living sustainably.  

Diagram of Grey Water Laundry System http://greywatercorps.com/whatl2l.html

by Manish Bansal

Bury an Olla- Clay Pot

The Olla (Oy-ya) 'Pumpkin'  saves 85% more water than even drip irrigation!  Read this article to see how this ancient watering technique delivers water directly to the roots. http://www.pakissan.com/english/newtech/pitcher.irrigation.a.water.shtml

By Jason Sandeman

Make a Self-Watering Container 

This little invention turned my black thumb into a green one and for that I will be forever thankful.  The basic idea is to create a reservoir of water that allows the plant roots to draw from so they are drinking just the right amount of water. For this reason, if the soil in your self-watering container dries out, you must re-wet the dirt and refill the reservoir.

This is an ideal solution for people who have small spaces, can't water daily or cement "yards" and want to grow food.

This is the best webpage on the subject providing great graphics and how-to videos http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/

Here's a Video that scratches the surface of the fine art of making a container... http://youtu.be/chTKL6W1ntA

Written Instructions on a Variety of Sizes:

A Cool Twist on the Idea http://livingthefrugallife.blogspot.com/2010/04/food-production-in-small-spaces-fig.html This seems like an interesting blog and it's an excellent idea for a variation of self watering container


Small Container http://www.instructables.com/id/Self-Watering-Plant-Container-out-of-a-2-liter-bot/ A good intro project with a 2 liter bottle for people "on the edge".  You could not use this to plant a vine or tree, but perhaps you'd get away with a small pepper plant.

By sdixclifford Stephanie Clifford

Medium Container http://www.urbanorganicgardener.com/self-watering-containers/how-to-make-a-self-watering-container/ Using a 5 Gallon Bucket- How to Build a Self Water Container for Less than $5 | Urban Organic Gardener

Large Container 
http://www.josho.com/gardening.htm Using 30 gallon storage containers Homemade Self-Contained Gardening Systems: use bamboo instead of plastic 

Some quick notes from my experience... The picture of the large container is simply to show you how it works. If you are creative, you can make any container into a self-watering container.  I've made mine out of old artillery cases, wood storage containers and old trunks (photos to come).  Think of your own variation using whatever you have around the house.  

How are you going to water your plants? 

Create a diagram or sketch of the watering system for your garden.