- Power drill
- 1/2" and 3/4" drill bits (I used a 3/4" unibit just because I have one)
- Something to cut large PVC pipe (I used a hacksaw)
- Strong scissors or snips for cutting plastic
- Tape measure
- Marker
- 18 gallon Rubbermaid
- 3' of 4" PVC pipe (Home Depot sells 2' pieces)
- 2' of 1" PVC pipe
- Roll of Burlap, loosely woven (I bought a 3' by 24" roll, it'll last me a lifetime)
- Zip ties
- Rough sandpaper to smooth PVC edges after cutting (I used 100 grit)
- 1 Trash bag to use as mulch cover (I recommend white since you're in a warm climate)
- Cut 4" PVC into six 6" pieces (If you purchsed the two 2' pieces, you'll have a 1' piece left over)
- Drill some 3/4" holes into each 6" piece of 4" PVC (I drilled about eighteen holes into each peice, three down six times... probably overkill)
- Cut one end of 1" PVC to a 45 degree angle.
- Sand all edges and holes.
- Place lid on container. Drill a bunch of 1/2" holes in the container lid, spacing them fairly close together (I found it easiest to make a grid-like pattern to follow), be sure to stay clear of lid edges that attach to container as it will be used for something else later.
- Cut out center of lid right along the inside of edge curvature. Be sure to leave the outer edge in tact; do not cut through edge of lid. (I started cutting from one of the holes closest to any edge)
- Place the six pieces of PVC you cut into the container with one in each corner and the other in the middle against the long walls of the container, to make little columns. Place grid (lid cutout) on top of of PVC pieces inside the container (may have to trip the grid to fit snugly without bending or bowing).
- Cut out wicking holes and hole for watering tube in grid.
- Zip tie grid to each PVC column to prevent shifting.
- Drill two small overflow holes about 5 inches from bottom. Placement is up to you, I drilled on either side of watering tube.
- Cut out a piece of burlap to fit on top of grid, match wicking and tube holes.
- Pack wicking holes with soil. Fill rest of container (from grid up) about half way.
- Put a thin layer of Dolomite.
- Fill up the container to about 2 inches below rim, then dig out a 2" trough from end to end in the center and fill with fertilizer.
- Fill up the rest of the container (can mound over a couple of inches).
- Cut out garbage bag to fit over top of container (big enough so plenty hangs over on all sides) and place over container as a cover.
- Snap on the remainder of your lid (edge ring) to hold cover in place.
- Cut out holes for plants/seeds in cover, then plant those suckers.
I did not take enough pictures to make a comprehensive photo guide so here's the rest of the few photos I took: https://www.dropbox.com/sc/kooccztmlzozv8u/AAAUC1ky-Zt__53pJzcoPKb8a
Here's a good planting guide to follow, just keep in mind the deminsions are not the same. http://earthbox.com/earthbox-planting-guide