Has anyone else attempted a LakeTainer?

lowlylowlycook · June 3, 2010

So after studying the plans for the excellent EarthTainer, it occurred to me that my best place for them would be on a section of my roof that gets a good bit of sun (lots of big trees around here). But the flaw with that plan would be that when I'm gone on vacation I can't well ask a neighbor to water them up there, can I?

While contemplating this conundrum, I somehow noticed that this large tub

fits exactly into this unused float:

Aha!

So looked around and found a useless gardening tool carrier and sawed off the handle. Lined some water permeable plastic I figured it would make a good wick while supporting the aeration bench nicely. The aeration bench is just a plastic tray with a couple medium holes cut into it and a good number of small ones.

This contraption was place on top of a spacer (to keep water from rising to the bench) and inside the tub. Seems to fit pretty well.

With a layer of the same plastic the tub is ready for some mix

And thus the LakeTainer!

Oh, and I guess that I never really explained that I put holes in the bottom of the tub. The idea is that it should never need water added in any way since the tube holds the tub at such a level that the wick is sitting in lake water while the growing mix itself is held above it. That's the theory anyway.

Now I just have to see what sections of the lake might get a good amount of sun and meanwhile wait for the moisture level of the mix to stabilize.

Obviously any small chance that this has to actually work are do to Ray's well explained instructions for the EarthTainer and hopefully any disaster will at least keep me entertained.

Luckily all I had to buy was some potting mix, some fertilizer and a (discounted) seedling. Wish me luck, I think I'm going to need it.

June 3, 2010	#1
lowlylowlycook Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2010 Location: So. Illinois (6a) Posts: 147	Has anyone else attempted a LakeTainer? So after studying the plans for the excellent EarthTainer, it occurred to me that my best place for them would be on a section of my roof that gets a good bit of sun (lots of big trees around here). But the flaw with that plan would be that when I'm gone on vacation I can't well ask a neighbor to water them up there, can I? While contemplating this conundrum, I somehow noticed that this large tub fits exactly into this unused float: Aha! So looked around and found a useless gardening tool carrier and sawed off the handle. Lined some water permeable plastic I figured it would make a good wick while supporting the aeration bench nicely. The aeration bench is just a plastic tray with a couple medium holes cut into it and a good number of small ones. This contraption was place on top of a spacer (to keep water from rising to the bench) and inside the tub. Seems to fit pretty well. With a layer of the same plastic the tub is ready for some mix And thus the LakeTainer! Oh, and I guess that I never really explained that I put holes in the bottom of the tub. The idea is that it should never need water added in any way since the tube holds the tub at such a level that the wick is sitting in lake water while the growing mix itself is held above it. That's the theory anyway. Now I just have to see what sections of the lake might get a good amount of sun and meanwhile wait for the moisture level of the mix to stabilize. Obviously any small chance that this has to actually work are do to Ray's well explained instructions for the EarthTainer and hopefully any disaster will at least keep me entertained. Luckily all I had to buy was some potting mix, some fertilizer and a (discounted) seedling. Wish me luck, I think I'm going to need it.