Sub-irrigated planter (SIP)

3 vegetable growing systems based on living arrangement (click on the link for a larger image).

SIPs best-known example is Earthbox. As of year 2014, the most cost effective planter is available at Home Depot and Lowe's for $30.



Cucumbers after 6 weeks in SIP. Note the tepee (left) and another type of bamboo stick support with trellis (right).



Cucumbers, peppers, lettuce and Swiss chard in SIP.

DIY sub-irrigated planter for $12: mortar tub, perforated corrugated drain pipe, and water bottle

How to make a potting soil for a 5-gallon SIP bucket?

1. Miracle Grow potting soil works well.

2. Alternatively, you can mix your own by using 2/3rds peat moss and 1/3 manure or compost and a couple of handfuls of vermiculite (it lightens the soil). You can add a cup of garden lime or dolomite, and a handful of Epsom salts. Source: Inside Urban Green: Meet Larry Hall, Rain Gutter Sub-irrigated Planter System Guy Par Excellence http://bit.ly/NnYHU5

You can make your own potting mix:

- 30% peat moss or coco coir
- 30% perlite or vermiculite
- 30% compost or soil

You will need one cubic foot potting mix/soil (not garden soil or top soil). You can add an organic fertilizer (1.5 to 2 cups per bucket). For tomatoes only, you add hydrated lime (one cup per bucket mixed into top 6 inches of soil).



5-gallon bucket at Home Depot.

Grow Box - Sub-irrigated planter (SIP) by Garden Patch - http://goo.gl/Zu8sS



EarthBox - sub-irrigated planter, garden container for vegetables



Which plastics are safe as plant containers to grow vegetables? Which ones should not be used?

Sub-irrigated Raised Beds & Planters (SIPs) - a set on Flickr http://bit.ly/NeIMJY

Inside Urban Green: Meet the Beet Buckets http://bit.ly/NnYOPo

Chicago Rooftop Veggie Garden - a set on Flickr http://bit.ly/NnYS1B

Making a self watering container http://bit.ly/NnZAff

Sub-irrigation Planter Fill Pipes: Recyled Water Bottles http://bit.ly/NnZBjt

Green Roof Growers: How to Make a Two Bucket Sub-Irrigated Planter (SIP) http://bit.ly/NnZDaP

Ultimate Vegetable TeraHydro Boxe DIY http://bit.ly/OLgcSE

Inside Urban Green: Converting Clay and Ceramic Drain Hole Pots to Sub-Irrigated Planters (SIPs) http://bit.ly/OLgglf -- A DYI sub-irrigation systems for planters-SIP - a set on Flickr http://bit.ly/OLgiK2

How to grow vegetables in containers (PDFs):

Container vegetable gardening - Iowa State University http://goo.gl/UIwtc

Growing Vegetables in Containers - Cornell University http://goo.gl/HcBqs

Growing Vegetables, Herbs and Annual Flowers in Containers from Cornell Cooperative Extension http://goo.gl/KbKiL

A Homer Bucket Has Many Uses - Home Depot blog http://goo.gl/Pqty2