Welcome to the world of gardening innovation! In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating your very own DIY No Mess hanging wall garden, designed to maximize your growing space and yield an abundance of crops. While the video you just watched featured chili peppers, this ingenious gardening system can also be used to cultivate various other plants, including bell peppers and even tomatoes. Join us as we delve into the steps required to create this water and nutrient-efficient masterpiece.
- Preparation of Containers: To kick-start your hanging wall garden project, you’ll need containers to house your plants. In the video, one-gallon water jugs were used, but milk jugs can also serve the purpose. Start by turning the jugs upside down and cutting out a hole that spans almost the entire bottom of the container. This hole will allow excess water to drain out. However, for some of the containers, especially the lower ones, leave a portion of the bottom intact to create a lid-like structure. This precaution ensures that rainwater won’t splash onto the developing fruits when your plants grow larger.
- Creating Holes for Hanging: Next, it’s time to make holes in the containers for hanging. Using a soldering iron or a hot nail, create one small hole on each side of the container close to the bottom. These holes should be large enough to accommodate a sturdy cord, and it’s essential to position them directly across from each other. Achieving this balance is crucial for the stability of your hanging garden.
- Assembling the Hanging System: Now comes the fun part – assembling the hanging system. For every set of three containers, you’ll need a durable cord approximately 3.5 meters long. Commonly, old insulated electrical wires are repurposed for this purpose. Pass the cord through the hole in the bottom of the first container and tie it securely; this will be the lowest container. It’s important to note that the original top of the container, with a screw cap, will not serve as the bottom. Continue threading the cord through the next container without tying it. Slide the second container along the cord until you achieve the desired 5-inch (12.5-centimeter) spacing from the large hole in one container to the cup of the next.
To prevent containers from sliding uncontrollably, create a loop in the cord after adjusting the spacing. The third container in the set, which has the lid, should be hung this way. Repeat this process for each set of three containers.
- Mounting the Hanging System: To mount your hanging garden, you’ll need support. In the video, a wooden frame was used and propped against a wall. On the top of the wooden frame, two four-inch nails were positioned with a gap equal to the diameter of the containers. Hang your sets of containers on the wall, ensuring that the other side of each container is securely strung, as shown in the video. Depending on your available space, you can hang more containers following the same procedure.
- Planting Seedlings: With the hanging system in place, it’s time to introduce your seedlings to their new homes. Insert each seedling into a container, making sure to secure it properly. To prevent soil from spilling when watering, place a small layer of mulch inside each container. The mulch will also break down over time, providing nutrients to your plants. Fill each container with soil until it’s full, ensuring that only one seedling occupies each.
- Watering Your Plants: Water your plants thoroughly from the top until you see water dripping from the bottom of the containers. The aligned containers ensure that water efficiently drips from the top container to the ones below. However, to prevent creating a mess on the floor, implement a reservoir system.
- Installing the Reservoir System: For a truly “No Mess” and nutrient-efficient system, you’ll need a 1.5-liter water bottle. Cut the bottle in half and retain the part with the cap. Create two small holes on opposite sides of the bottle, as demonstrated in the video. This half-bottle will serve as a reservoir to collect excess water that drains out after watering your plants.
Secure the reservoir to the containers using zip ties, making sure it aligns perfectly with the drainage hole of the lowest container. As you water your plants from the top, any excess water will flow into the reservoir, preventing wastage.
- Harvest and Maintenance: With the system in place, your plants will flourish. Use a strong thread to guide their growth in the desired direction, tying it to the hole near the top of each container. This step ensures that your plants grow optimally.
Conclusion: Congratulations! You’ve created a DIY No Mess hanging wall garden that efficiently utilizes space, water, and nutrients to yield an abundance of crops. With proper care and maintenance, you’ll soon be enjoying the fruits of your labor. Happy gardening!