How To Build A Grow Box For Vegetables

There is no greater pleasure than planting a seed and watching it grow into something beautiful. Concerned about lack of space? I have the solution.

Consider building a grow box for vegetables. As the name suggests, a grow box refers to a small or medium-sized box where you can grow any vegetable of your choice. 

I noticed a couple of these boxes on my neighbor Angie’s window sill and inquired about them. The next afternoon, she called me over for tea and explained how to build a grow box for vegetables easily at home. 

This instantly piqued my interest, so I ran over to the Farmer’s Market and picked up a few bags of seeds. The next day, I built two grow boxes for my new seedlings. 

Hi! I’m Stacy. In today’s guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about building a grow box for vegetables. 

Let’s begin!

How To Build A Grow Box For Vegetables

What Can You Use?

One of the best things about building a grow box is the versatility of materials to use. Depending on your preference, the kind of vegetable seeds chosen, the space available, and several other factors, you can choose various materials for the grow box. 

Here are some of the most common ones to use:

• Recycled metal boxes
• Cardboard
• Plywood
• Garden bricks
• Storage tub
• Bucket 
• Salad box

For my experiment, I decided to opt for a wooden grow box and a recycled metal one. Here is how I built them. 

How To Build A Grow Box For Vegetables With Wood

Step 1 - Find The Right Location

First and foremost, I wanted to find the right location to place my grow box. Since I wanted to grow coriander and basil, I could build a relatively small-sized box and keep it indoors where it would receive appropriate amounts of sunlight and shade. 

Step 2 - Preparing The Wood Posts And Corners

This step is crucial, so ensure that you take the measurements correctly before you begin sawing. Depending on the vegetable variety you choose, the size of your grow box will vary. For me, a small-sized box was adequate. Once I had my measurements ready, I carefully cut the posts and corners of my grow box. 

Step 3 - Joining Them

The next step is to join the corners and posts of the box. You can use a drill or glue to do this. I decided to use my power tools and decking screws to expertly join the edges and corners to build the grow box. 

Step 4 - Adding A Barrier Cloth

Next, I added hardware cloth to the bottom of the box. This would protect the soil bed and also keep pests and insects out of the box. You can either screw or staple the edges of the hardware cloth securely to the box. 

Step 5 - Adding A Weed Cloth

Adding the barrier cloth is not enough. You also need to consider adding a weed cloth which will effectively prevent weeds from growing below the box. Place the weed cloth over the hardware cloth and secure it using staples or screws. 

Step 6 - Add Soil

Now you can add the planter’s soil into your grow box. Ensure that you research adequately about the right type of soil to use for specific vegetables to thrive. 

Step 7 - Add Seeds

Finally, my favorite part - adding the seeds. Make sure that you spread the seeds evenly and carefully. Add a little bit of soil over the seeds after scattering them. Maintain a strict fertilizing and watering schedule to ensure that your vegetables thrive in your grow box.

How To Build A Grow Box For Vegetables With Recycled Metal 

Step 1 - Find The Right Container

You mustn’t choose a rusty or damaged metal container. I found an old filing cabinet that was due to be thrown away and removed the bottom shelf to build the grow box in. Fortunately, it wasn’t damaged - only slightly dirty, which I was able to clean.

Step 2 - Prepare The Container

Clean the inner and outer parts of the metal container thoroughly. Use an appropriate cleaner, removing any paint, dust, grime, and oils from the container. Allow it to dry properly before moving on to the next step. 

Step 3 - Repaint The Outside

Next, I decided to repaint the outside of the drawer using a bright green shade. I used non-toxic spray paint for this, but you may use regular paint with a brush or roller if you wish to. 

Step 4 - Add The Lining Material

In a process similar to the wooden grow box I built, I lined the inside of the box using a weed liner. This lining also protects the bottom of the box from wear and tear. 

Step 5 - Create Drainage

You can choose to add several layers of gravel, pebbles, sand, and soil for proper drainage. Alternatively, you may drill holes in the box if you don’t wish to add several layers. 

I decided to put my power tools to use and drilled small holes at the bottom of the grow box. Ensure that you do this step carefully and avoid injury. 

Step 6 - Add The Soil And Seeds

For the final step, I added adequate amounts of planter’s soil and carefully spread the seeds on the top layer. Then, I added another thin layer of soil, and that’s it! My grow box was finally complete, and I was excited to see the results in a few weeks. 

Final Words