Tools, Materials and Equipment for Constructing The Grow Box

What will you need to construct your grow box?

Before you begin constructing your grow box you should get prepared by having all the necessary tools, equipment and materials you will require. The following are some of the basic things that are necessary.

💥 Spirit Level            💥 Hammer                💥  Square
💥 Tape measure       💥 String/twine

💥 Wooden or metal stakes

                                                            

 

The stakes should be approximately 3 feet long and be sturdy enough so that they do not move when the string is tied to them.

💥 Wheel Barrow

Having a wheelbarrow will make it easier to transport heavier materials like concrete blocks, especially if the blocks are located a far distance from where your grow box is being constructed.  The wheelbarrow will also allow you to transport a larger number of blocks in a single trip. However, the blocks can be carried by hand but it may just take you a long time to complete the task.
(Please be careful with back injuries when lifting and transporting)

💥 Concrete Foundation Blocks  
(6 x 8 x 16 inches)  ( 15 x 20 x 40 cm)

A number of different materials can be used to construct a grow box (wood, metal, plastic, clay blocks etc.) However, the reasons for choosing concrete blocks, and in particular blocks of a certain size are:

1.  these blocks are sturdy and there is no need to cement them together as they do not fall over or lean very easily.

2.  because the blocks are not cemented, the grow box is not permanent and can easily be removed or moved to another location if desired.

3.  the cores (centres) of the blocks are large. These holes can be filled with growing media which will accommodate smaller plants. 

Always keep in mind the idea of grow box farming is to be able to grow as many crops as possible in a relatively small area.

💥 Plastic Sheeting
(can be either construction plastic or landscaping plastic sheeting)

 

Plastic sheeting is required ONLY if your grow box is being constructed on a soil/dirt surface.
The plastic is used as a protective barrier and will prevent weeds from germinating and growing into the grow box. It will also prevent water and nutrients (fertilizers) from being lost to the soil below.

💥 Sand (sharp sand and plastering sand)

The sand will be required if you are constructing your grow box on a surface that is not level. It will be used for two things. Firstly, it can be spread on the dirt area to help to level the surface and secondly, the sharp sand will be used to assist in levelling the concrete blocks if required.

How much material ( concrete blocks, plastic stakes, etc) you will require will depend on the size of grow box you intend to construct. Remember your grow box can be any size.

For example, if you are constructing a grow box 5 feet wide by 10 feet long then you can calculate the number of blocks required by using the following method:

For the Width of the grow box (5 feet)
5 feet = 60 inches. Since each block is 16 inches in length, then 60 inches divided by 16 inches  = 3.75 blocks.
You will, therefore, require approximately four concrete blocks for the width of one side of your grow box. Multiply this number of blocks by two to determine how many blocks you will require for both widths of the grow box

For the Length of the grow box (10 feet)
Use the same method to calculate the number of blocks required for each length of your grow box.