Houzz TV: How to Make and Plant a Veggie Box
See how to start edibles from seed, then transfer the seedlings to a box on stilts to make harvesting more fun
Annie Thornton
April 26, 2016
Houzz Editorial Staff
When you plant a few veggies in a container for your balcony or patio, fresh flavors for your next meal are only a few steps away. And when you put your box on stilts, it’s easier to plant and harvest your crops, and its portability allows you to put your garden where the sun is, creating prime growing conditions throughout the year. Evan Marks, founder and executive director of The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano, California, shows how to start your garden with seeds or seedlings and make a tall container that’s fun to grow them in.
Watch: See how to start your veggies in seed trays
Start With a Seed Tray
Vegetables with small seeds, such as tomatoes, peppers and greens, are best planted in small plastic pots or seed trays. Start with organic seed-starting mix or potting soil. Fill each small pot or cell in the tray with soil, then tamp it down and water lightly.
Create an indentation for each seed with your finger, a chopstick or the end of a plant tag. Drop one or two seeds into each hole, following the instructions on your seed packet. (If you plant two seeds per cell, you can thin to one plant per cell later.)
Cover with another small layer of soil and pat lightly to firm. Label the tray with the plant name and planting date. If planting many kinds of plants, label them by row.
Watering from a tray placed under the seedling containers is good way to keep the soil moist but not overly wet.
Start With a Seed Tray
Vegetables with small seeds, such as tomatoes, peppers and greens, are best planted in small plastic pots or seed trays. Start with organic seed-starting mix or potting soil. Fill each small pot or cell in the tray with soil, then tamp it down and water lightly.
Create an indentation for each seed with your finger, a chopstick or the end of a plant tag. Drop one or two seeds into each hole, following the instructions on your seed packet. (If you plant two seeds per cell, you can thin to one plant per cell later.)
Cover with another small layer of soil and pat lightly to firm. Label the tray with the plant name and planting date. If planting many kinds of plants, label them by row.
Watering from a tray placed under the seedling containers is good way to keep the soil moist but not overly wet.
When It’s Time to Transplant
The first “leaves” to emerge are not really leaves, but rather cotyledons, which provide the first food for the seedlings. Wait until the true leaves form; they will look different from the cotyledons.
Once you have a second set of true leaves, it’s OK to transfer plants to temporary 4-inch pots (if you’ll be planting your seedlings in the ground) or directly to a planting box or container.
Step-by-Step: How to Start Your Garden From Seed
The first “leaves” to emerge are not really leaves, but rather cotyledons, which provide the first food for the seedlings. Wait until the true leaves form; they will look different from the cotyledons.
Once you have a second set of true leaves, it’s OK to transfer plants to temporary 4-inch pots (if you’ll be planting your seedlings in the ground) or directly to a planting box or container.
Step-by-Step: How to Start Your Garden From Seed
How to Make a Planting Box on Stilts
Plants with shallow roots, such as lettuces, greens, radishes, beets, strawberries and herbs, are well-suited to a 16-by-24-inch planting box like this.
If you already know your way around basic construction tools, you could make this tall planting box yourself or with a friend. Beginners should work with an experienced woodworker on their first few projects. (Always take safety precautions and keep hands away from saw blades and drill bits.)
Watch on Houzz TV: How to start your veggies in seed trays, then make your own planting box
Plants with shallow roots, such as lettuces, greens, radishes, beets, strawberries and herbs, are well-suited to a 16-by-24-inch planting box like this.
If you already know your way around basic construction tools, you could make this tall planting box yourself or with a friend. Beginners should work with an experienced woodworker on their first few projects. (Always take safety precautions and keep hands away from saw blades and drill bits.)
Watch on Houzz TV: How to start your veggies in seed trays, then make your own planting box
Wood needed for one 16-by-24-inch box:
1-by-4-inch redwood, cedar or other untreated wood planks cut to:
1-by-4-inch redwood, cedar or other untreated wood planks cut to:
- Six planks 16 inches long (these planks will be the short sides of the box)
- Six planks 24 inches long (these planks will be the long sides of the box)
- Five planks about 23 inches long (these planks will be the base of the box)
- Four pieces 24 inches long (these will be the legs of the box)
- Two pieces about 12 inches long (these will reinforce the base of the box)
- Tape measure
- Carpenter’s square
- Pencil
- Saw
- Power drill
- One-eighth-inch drill bit
- Screwdriver
- 1⅝-inch outdoor deck screws (24 to 30)
- Work gloves and eye protection
Optional
- Clamps
- Power screwdriver
- Jigsaw
- Chop saw
Once your box is built, it will be ready to fill with organic potting soil and your favorite herbs or vegetables.
Planting Your Seedlings
Whether you grow your own seedlings or buy them in six-packs at the nursery, you will plant them the same way. Fill the box with organic potting soil and water it until damp.
Gently lift out the baby plant from its seed tray using a fork or spoon. (If planting a seedling from a small pot or six-pack, gently squeeze the container to loosen the roots and gently lift it out.) Hold the plant carefully by the soil and root ball, avoiding fragile leaves or stems. Take your time so you don’t damage the roots.
Place the plant in its new container and firm the soil around it. Keep the soil moist and place the pot in bright light (avoid direct sunlight for the first few days).
Watch on Houzz TV: Get the complete step-by-step from seedlings to planting box
More
Seeds or Seedlings? Tips for Starting Your Garden
8 Surefire Vegetables and Herbs for Beginning Gardeners
10 Expert Tips for Growing Edibles in Containers
More guides to edible gardening
Whether you grow your own seedlings or buy them in six-packs at the nursery, you will plant them the same way. Fill the box with organic potting soil and water it until damp.
Gently lift out the baby plant from its seed tray using a fork or spoon. (If planting a seedling from a small pot or six-pack, gently squeeze the container to loosen the roots and gently lift it out.) Hold the plant carefully by the soil and root ball, avoiding fragile leaves or stems. Take your time so you don’t damage the roots.
Place the plant in its new container and firm the soil around it. Keep the soil moist and place the pot in bright light (avoid direct sunlight for the first few days).
Watch on Houzz TV: Get the complete step-by-step from seedlings to planting box
More
Seeds or Seedlings? Tips for Starting Your Garden
8 Surefire Vegetables and Herbs for Beginning Gardeners
10 Expert Tips for Growing Edibles in Containers
More guides to edible gardening
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