Turning a Kitchen into Potatoes
March 8, 2009
Over the weekend I’ve been putting my limited DIY skills to the test to construct a trough-type structure for growing potatoes out of some old kitchen presses.
OK so strictly the kitchen isn’t literally being turned into potatoes but it is definitely going to help in potato cultivation. My parents have just renovated their kitchen and I was able to salvage some scrap wood from the builders. Prices for large containers can be very high (for a reason which escapes me) so I thought a more recession-proof home-grown solution could do the trick. The idea of having a container made out of solid cherry wood and maple seemed a bit unique to say the least.
Ingredients, Equipment
There were a few things that helped me along the way:
- Cheery wood paneling from the kitchen
- Some spare maple floorboards from when we put the floor down in the apartment
- A drill and 1 1/4″ wood screws
- A soon-to-be father-in-law with more power tools than Tim the Toolman Taylor and an all-round gift for building things from other things (thanks for the help Nathy!)
In particular, having someone with access to power tools (and who is expert in using them) was a distinct advantage. It’s best not to think what would have happened if I had been locked in a shed with the table saw on my own. Or for that matter, what would have happened had I resorted to using the handsaw I bought during the week in Lidl.
Method
Below are the steps used to build the trough. There are some photos at the end of the post for illustration.
- Cut out two long sides of the trough about 40cm deep. If necessary, allow side to be comprised of multiple sections.
- Cut 4 narrow battens to support the panels, one for each side. The battens should be shorter than the whole side, allowing for the end panels.
- Cut the end panels. In our case we made the sides about 4 times the width of the end sections (30cm).
- We made the bottom of the trough out of tongue-and-groove floorboards we had and cut them into lengths equal to the with of the end panels.
- Screw the battens into each side. I used 5 screws on each. The lower should be be positioned the width of the bottom from the bottom edge such that when the bottom is added, it can be screwed into the batten.
- Screw the end pieces into the battens – this makes four screws in each end panel.
- I then turned the whole lot upside down and added the sections of floorboard one by one, screwing both ends of each section into the battens.
Conclusion
Overall from an aesthetic, economic and general Ibuiltthatwithmyowntwohands point of view, I’d regard this small construction effort to be a success. It remains to be seen how this stands up to the elements however. Let’s just hope no one talks it into coming down.
The whole process, took only an afternoon or so and was relatively painless. It’s definitely an approach I hope to use again in the future. I have some more press doors from the kitchen and some hinges so I’m hoping to build a storage box for the balcony next time I get a chance. I’ll be sure to post when I do.
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Great post. I am all for the DIY restoration. Built a couple of terrariums once for my bearded dragons, was an interesting exercise. i have to admit that my fine french craftsmanship only lasted 8 months, then i moved house, it took a couple of hits and is now being converted to a bunch of shelves for the garden!
That Nathy one sounds a bit dodgy. Good work on the container though!
Very nice, because as we all know when your an urban farmer the pretty factor can be a deal breaker to landlords & neighbors.
I think im up and running and the potatoes are looking good for July.
[...] over a month ago, I posted about building a trough and planting potatoes. As I mentioned then, keeping the potatoes topped up with compost encourages [...]
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