Build a Better Grow Box

Designing for function and aesthetics.

Truly the last thing I want in my house is a big ugly tent, with obnoxious pink lights and the smell of stinkweed permeating my living space, my clothes, and everything. I first started thinking about a grow box as a way to produce a few healthy greens in the middle of a New England winter. It was hard to get past friends and family who could only think about how well it would grow weed. Now everyone can build their own box to fit their own growing needs. The following will explain general principles for building a better grow box taken from my own personal experience.

The Grow Box: The new home appliance.

Fridge, dishwasher, stove, microwave, and now a grow box.

Think of the grow box as an appliance. Here in New England, most homes have all the creature comforts needed for an easy life. (ha). If you have a large kitchen, that would be the best place to install a grow box. For the people converting their entire basement into a weed farm, this is not the story I’m telling. This is setting up a grow space for food, herbs, and yes a little weed for personal use if that’s what you want.

The kitchen, or near access to water, is the best placement. A grow space will need constant monitoring. I have seen self-contained grow boxes for sale. Supplied with water, nutrients, light, and air that report growing a plant with no monitoring, just fill it up and your plant will be done in 3 months. Space-age. I assume they work as well as peat pots. (See using peat pots.)

The basement is generally a bad idea when growing plants. Ours just got flooded so I’m sure glad I didn’t make it into a grow room. It’s going to take days before the humidity goes down.

Unless you visit the basement at least once a day, keep a humidifier, and have good quality air exchange you may find the basement not ideal to grow food or other delicate plants. A heated porch may be an option. My box was installed in my living room. This is why I created a box design that would look like a piece of furniture. I based the design on the old-fashioned pie safe. The size and dimensions suited my needs.

Another option, if you don’t have a woodshop handy, is to modify a ready-made cabinet from a home building supply store.

Grow tents are OK, but they seem pretty ugly and a bit flimsy, and perhaps a fire hazard. So think about the possibilities, your skills, and what’s already available on the market.

Make a box to last generations. This may be our future.

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