How to Make a Downspout Garden Part 3 / Common Questions / Gutter Garden / DIY Hydroponics

My Etsy shop with my grow boxes and ebook: www.etsy.com/shop/mikevanduzee
True Leaf Market Organic Seeds: www.pntra.com/t/SENITklPRk5DS...
My video on how to make the downspout grow box is kind of old and a little vague. I get a lot of questions so I will be answering them in the next few videos. In this episode we will be heating and bending the ends. Always do this outdoors! After that I will unbox a food grade NFT channel that I had ordered a few months back and never opened.
Garden Downspout Grow Box seen in my videos: www.etsy.com/listing/68436233...
Hydroponic nutrients and other hard to find supplies:
amazon.com/shop/mrduzee1
Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links.
As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tool I use to grow my channel: www.tubebuddy.com/mikevanduzee
Music from www.epidemicsound.com
#mrduzee1 #thecreatorspotlightshow

[@dl08in]

Cut the ends of the 2x4's at a 45 degree angle. You would be able to heat it all from the outside and get nice even bends.

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Great idea, I did cut mine after this was made.🖒🖒

[@LukeSeed]

I bet you could take the end of a 2x4 (maybe slightly shaved) to push the heated end down perfectly and without burning your fingers. You might have to leave the vertical walls though

[@hectorcalderon3011]

That is a great idea but also I was thinking if you cut a piece of wood that will fit in between it at a 45 you can use it to push down as a jig so they will be uniform in perfect every time

[@crewalexis6719]

You prolly dont give a damn but does any of you know a way to get back into an instagram account..? I was dumb forgot the login password. I love any help you can offer me!

[@elliottbrendan9788]

@Crew Alexis instablaster ;)

[@dedonohue1]

Thanks for posting this video. I was looking for a diy on bending the ends up to save on the expensive end caps.

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Awesome job done showing us how to make these. Thanks for taking the time to do these step by step how to videos. Hope you two have a great weekend!

[@KeepOnGrowin]

You guys have an awesome weekend too buddy!

[@jaytua730]

Thanks for taking the time

[@KeepOnGrowin]

No problem, have an awesome day 😎🖒

[@emily-rebuilt]

This video was SO HELPFUL! Thank you! I picked up a heat gun for $30, seemed like the cheapest way to go about closing off the ends if I'm going to make more than a couple. Spent the weekend setting up 8 of them. I did use a piece of wood for a form as others have suggested, in addition to the form in the video. It worked super well! I appreciate your videos so much, I'm very excited for things to start growing. :D

[@KeepOnGrowin]

That's awesome Emily!! Keep me updated and I am here if you have questions!

[@woodybailey]

Dude.. awesome detail! Many thanks!

[@TheRedhawke]

Just got done building my first two. I built the wooden frame jig to hold them in place and clamped it to the bed of my old work truck. It worked like a charm, very happy. Thank you so much for your channel and all your hard work to make this easy for the rest of us.

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Awesome!!! Thanks for letting me know how it went. Happy gardening😎🍀🌱🤘

[@thugiangvu1]

Thank you very much. happy to your family

[@KeepOnGrowin]

😎✌🌱

[@gulfcoastacrscrapper6523]

Looking Great Mike!

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Thanks Chris!! 😎🖒🌱

[@randythomas3478]

Got it! From North Carolina, thank you!

[@TheSeaweed64]

Hi Mike. Thanks for sharing this tip. The wood frame is great for a clean bend. Will definitely try this. Thanks for being so cool about sharing what you are doing. I have made a few of these gutters. Keep up the videos!🙂 Joe - Houston, Tx

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Thanks much Joe! So cool to hear people are trying this out. Have an awesome weekend my friend.

[@cbisme6414]

@@KeepOnGrowin I've given this a go and used wooden clothes pegs to get a tight pressed edge on the ends, TFS Mike🌱🌏

[@MrKevyrev]

Brilliant, I'm definitely doing this!

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Awesome!!!

[@daveoldaker2550]

Just built the first ones. Looking forward to seeing the results. Great instructions!!

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Awesome! Keep me posted.

[@daveoldaker2550]

@@KeepOnGrowin First group came out pretty good. Getting ready for the next group. The starts are in the pots behind.

[@MurrayFCohen]

Hey mike, love your videos, bought your ebook. And today I made 9 downspout hydroponic planters, each 40 in Long.

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Awesome!!! Thank you so much and keep me updated!😎🍀🌱🌱🌱🌱

[@arvinmiranda2435]

I'm just starting hydroponics this is a cheap good idea for a beginner, update for more videos, well done

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Thanks 😎🖒 glad I could help.

[@amcdlm24]

Sheer genius....thank you!!!!

[@painterken2542]

Pssst..hey,..you can put your pot in there!👌

[@roncole7036]

Wish I'd have found your videos before I purchased end caps but thankful I won't be buying any more!

[@angelasheppard7197]

Thanks for sharing

[@KeepOnGrowin]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@conniesmith4108]

Thank you for sharing...I shared on Facebook...

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Thank you Connie!

[@KMoWearableArt]

Try using a wood maul instead of your hand. :-) Great information -- can't wait to try this method.

[@Cleangrowersusa]

Awesome !

[@larklawrence6156]

You are a genius.

[@threeowls369]

Fantastic 🤩😊

[@threeowls369]

Received my start up setup, looking good brother. Much appreciated.

[@sandralewis1689]

Thanks!

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Thank you very much Sandra! Have an awesome day!

[@BH-qi9cq]

Thanks for the video! I am making some of these for my basement setup. Do you have a video outlining the food-grade vs. not food grade debate? I'm just interested to learn more. Thanks again.

[@charliemagpie]

Mate, thank you.

[@KeepOnGrowin]

No problem! Happy growing!!🖒🌱

[@Yznewday777]

I just wanted to say you are really good at explaining stuff . A good teacher you are. 🌼🌸🌼🌷🌳🌷🌳🌼🌸🌼 Super Samurai hydroponics man 😁😀💗🦋💗😃God bless you .

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Thank you so much!!! 😎🤘❤🌱🌱🌱🌱

[@boblewis2382]

Mike, enjoying your videos & learning a lot thru your experiences. I am trying your downspout containers and thought I would share another product to use to remove the printing on the downspouts. I have been using an all purpose cleaner that I bought at the dollar store called "Totally Awesome". It is a spray & wipe product, like Goo Gone, but cheaper. I use it on my RV awning & thought I would give it a try. Works great! Thanks again!

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Awesome, thanks much!! Goo Gone is kinda expensive. I will let pepple know.😎🖒🌱

[@timshelton7905]

Totally Awesome used to be $1 per bottle at Dollar General or Dollar Tree. Prices are up now but a terrific product for this.

[@spiderstone]

Nice.

[@kauboy9816]

You might have changed the way you make these by now, and it's a great design, but something kept repeating in my head... "Make a form block" You could measure and custom make a form block to push into the soft plastic that would keep your hands from entering the danger zone and bring consistency to the result. It could be mounted on a hinge to one of the side rails and moved into place once the plastic is nice and hot. Might take a bit of tweaking, but the final product would make the manufacturing process a cinch and ultra repeatable. Just a thought. Appreciate you sharing the build process!

[@brianmoore8596]

Had the same thought...take the jig he has here insert a wood form, clamp it in place a hinge a lever on top. Like the idea of using a hinge on one side as an easy way to check and maintain levels.

[@brianmoore8596]

Half asleep I meant an elbow on one side as shown

[@donnaz1961]

He Mike! 👋 Had my husband build me a few after seeing your video some time back. It's such a great idea! Thanks for sharing 👍 It's gonna be cool and rainy here for the weekend. My peppers aren't minding it, Lol they are still flowering here! Hope y'all have a great weekend!😎

[@KeepOnGrowin]

So awesome Donna! Your stuff on Instagram is looking great!

[@donnaz1961]

@@KeepOnGrowin thank you so much! I appreciate that!

[@efaj04]

These grow tunes are amazing! I'm curious if you have any thoughts on if using vinyl downspouts has any issues, like leaching from the plastic? Is there any negative impact on the nutrient solution, do you think?

[@user-gh8wt2zi2n]

Not new to hydroponics but I am new to rain gutters. I always thought there was some kind of end cap you could just glue on the end. If there are wouldn't that be easier, but not cheaper, necessarily.

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Why would they make an endcap for a downspout? The purpose is to divert water away from the house, not stop it. There are endcaps for the gutter portion, totally different.

[@kizombagoddess7341]

New follower! Thanks for teaching us. Im new to gardening period. Where can I get the down spout and the food grade downspout and what sizes? Thanks!

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Cool. The links should be in the description of the video.🖒🌱

[@Junzar56]

I love the brace you use to form it! Great idea!

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Thanks, I had so many to make, I had to streamline it.

[@Junzar56]

Mike VanDuzee I am glad a lot of people want them!

[@seikox1]

Then use a short piece of 2x4 to push in the heated part and leave in until it cools.

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Yes, you could. 😎🖒

[@josephgray7517]

just tap a piece of 2x4 in there, once it gets heated, let cool , pull out and its perfect, no burning hands.

[@cruikshank]

Broke down and bought my first section of downspout today. 3x4” x 10’. I’ve been growing in 32 oz Ball Jars. It works but takes up too much space. What have you found the ideal spacing to be for Lettuce 🥬? In 2” cups? Thanks, Dave in PA.

[@KeepOnGrowin]

I cut all of mine 4" on center. If they need more space, I skip a hole when they start to grow.

[@Drat_67]

you should make a wood block with proper bevel and just push it in. You know what your doing so i'm sure you can make a block to fit

[@KeepOnGrowin]

I did have a bevel to start. I used to do several of these at a time. The extra wood would stay warm between switching to the next downspout and start to warm it up faster.

[@artemissharp298]

sir have you tried an OvGlove?

[@forageforage3520]

Mike are you gonna show what you're doing with the pipes you cut with the 45 degree end?

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Yes, looking for transplants now, still just a bunch ov peppers and tomatoes. May have to sprout them myself. 😎🖒

[@tylerc2809]

You mentioned wood is 4 in apart, what size downspout do you use? I bought 3 x 2 1/4 downspout, is it wrong size? Should I use a 4x3 instead?

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Yes the 4x3 is better. The smaller one is thin and let's light in. You will have to refill it often and it may tip over. 😎🖒🌱

[@MurrayFCohen]

I've seen you use a little plastic shot glasses to put your pool noodles in. Where do you buy those or what is the product called?

[@KeepOnGrowin]

It is a 3 oz Dixie Cup. I got them at WALMart.

[@amitbuch]

If you are doing this on daily basis on a large scale, this method is too cumbersome. I would cut a piece of wood at 45 degree angle and stuff it in 3" from the edge. Then have a small piece of wood on top of the spout then go full blast right inside the spout. in a few seconds it will soften and then you just take the piece of wood on top and stuff the softened bottom . No touching, no gloves and no accidents. You can even improvise with a 45 degree bent piece of metal with a hole for heatgun in the middle. Mount the heatgun in that hole. Use that as a stamp (if embossed with your logo / brand name etc. thus creating the nice professional seal with your brand. Good luck I enjoyed your creativity.

[@cruikshank]

If I’m picturing this correctly in my head, that would work for 1 side. But after you bent the 2nd side, how would you get the piece of wood at a 45 degree angle 📐 out? Maybe I’m missing something. Thanks.

[@CastOnCalamity]

💕💕💕💕

[@ske1830]

Wondering why you don't use end caps(?) to close the end of the gutter. Also if sealent are used are they food safe?

[@KeepOnGrowin]

They don't have endcaps, just elbows. I have a video coming up on that soon.

[@jacobbrizammito7187]

Thoughts on using aluminum downspouts rather than pvc.

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Harder to cut and may heat up faster in the sun. Always worth a try though.

[@janetlammers4942]

How do i buy one fromyou. Merchandise i see on web site are t shirts?

[@KeepOnGrowin]

www.etsy.com/shop/mikevanduzee

[@Sakura-zj3im]

This looks way prettier than the elbows but yea I don't see myself doing this 😅

[@Nerddirt]

Do you not have flowing water through these? Just stagnant water you fill it with?

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Static system, no flow.

[@thewatchers9620]

What about when it comes to cleaning inside?

[@KeepOnGrowin]

I just fill them with water and pour a little bleach in it. If it is a little crusty from tge nutrients, you can put a cup of vinegar in with it and let it set overnight. A bottle brush can help a little but I have been using some of mine about 8 yrs and they are still doing good.

[@afshirinzadeh5682]

Which heatgun are you using?

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Lol, it's an old, old Craftsman

[@packeroni3856]

How is one to clean this? That is my biggest question. Over time I am assuming algae will appear and needs to be removed but with the ends crimped it will be difficult to keep clean I assume?

[@KeepOnGrowin]

I have used these for 10 years. I just rinse them. If more is needed, I fill them with water and put a little bleach, let set, then rinse and let dry.

[@packeroni3856]

@@KeepOnGrowin Thanks for that quick reply. I was assuming that the buildup would be enough that one would have to scrub etc to remove things. Thanks for your knowledge!

[@raquelozoria379]

Is the pipe vinyl? Name and where can it be found please… the ones I can see are aluminum

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Home Depot and Lowes

[@bigsteve9279]

It seems like those downspout channels would cook the roots in the sun… how much heat can they stand?

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Morning sun, afternoon shade. I have been doing this over 8 years.

[@lukedominicodonnell2347]

Get the words off with olive oil mixed with acetone 50/50

[@bonniechilders9316]

Is the vinyl food safe?

[@KeepOnGrowin]

No, these are just from Home Depot. If you want food grade, look into commercial NFT channels.

[@budfariss]

How do you clean them out?

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Usually just hose them put. If there was algea in some, I would fill it with water, pour some bleach and vinegar in it and let it set overnight.

[@budfariss]

I was thinking about root and dirt residue

[@619caliman]

First

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Thanks much😎🖒🌱

[@timshelton7905]

Clearly the most time consuming piece of the work.

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Yes, but only a few minutes.

[@outdoorbobo]

Words on the product aren’t a big deal

[@outdoorbobo]

Words on the bottom or top are no biggie as they have no bearing on the growth of the plants.

[@whatmust8146]

I use propane torch way faster. People always go buy things. Look around to use what is available first. The frame is necessary. It is way too difficult without it.