SELF-WATERING Planter….From $5 File Cabinet

[@carbonunit9314]

Every once in a while, I come check your channel to see if you've posted. Possibly one of my favorite youtube channels ever. The music choice is everything.

[@suburbanbiology]

I’m so glad you enjoy the music! Thanks for being a loyal subscriber. 🙏🏼

[@sprengertrinker]

Water wicks from the reservoirs up through the soil might reduce the need for frequent watering of new plants. Especially helpful if it's a plant that likes evenly moist soil.

[@suburbanbiology]

I bet that would work. Thanks for the idea!

[@Donetravlin]

​@suburbanbiology do you have heat issues in the summer? I have Ideas like yours but I also have thought of using two layers of plastic on south and it vents at top exterior but get its air from top inside of green house.

[@ZippedUpKitz]

Now that is a brilliant idea! The filing cabinet drawers… PLANTER BOXES!! Individual planter boxes… you even have a name plate on the front of each drawer to tell you what you have planted in them!

[@suburbanbiology]

Good idea. Thanks!!

[@howardgilbert5008]

Genius alliteration!!!!! Dr Seuss would be proud.

[@pietrofbazza3684]

Frfr

[@noob19087]

There's a technique called hügelkultur that does essentially this but uses old logs as the reservoir. They take up space, which saves money because you don't need as much soil that way. They also break down over time, fertilizing the soil. Apparently the logs should last for at least a few years. I'm getting into serious planter growing next year for the first time in my life, and that's the approach I'm going to be using.

[@sirnonamederechte6169]

Drawer ideas: insect box oyster mushroom farm bird house

[@suburbanbiology]

I like them all! Maybe nesting boxes for my hens?

[@theyellowarchitect4504]

@@suburbanbiology that works, bird house is something i would love to see personally

[@ZippedUpKitz]

@@suburbanbiologyyes that too! Except I would be worried about the sharp corners … maybe if you ro7 dead them down that would work….

[@trelladavis]

Metal File drawers make great triangle / pyramid succulents stacked planters. 2 or 3 on bottom tier - different configurations depending on drawer arrangement. File cabinets prior to 1960s have thicker metal and all sides covered. I prefer only black metal ones as they already look modern. And it takes a discerning eye to see what the planters are made from so interesting factor built in. I use drip irrigation and gravity to get water through the stack. I have herbs and peppers in some as well. Did not block or enhance drawer’s drainage (except for a few drill holes strategically placed) as it is sufficient with design of drawers to have some drainage. 5 years and works great. Craig’s list for free cabinets.

[@AlitasDePoll0]

Filing cabinet drawers make great worm composting bins. Stack them carefully and drill some holes in the bottoms for the worms to crawl up.

[@toiletfx5679]

1:43 Stack the drawers ontop of eachother in an alternating cross pattern. Fill each drawer with soil and plant herbs / vegetables. Maybe make holes in each drawer so that rainwater can flow more easily from top to bottom.

[@suburbanbiology]

I like it! Thanks for the idea 🙏🏼

[@annwithaplan9766]

@@suburbanbiology - I know of someone who uses them for chicken nesting boxes.

[@bigpenguin5878]

Use the drawers as flower boxes for backyard windows away from the street

[@tazgirlg5062]

I like the idea of the overflow opening. I'll add that to my future pots. I'm 70 yrs young, so I need light pots. I plug the holes, use recycle packing popcorn and Styrofoam in the bottom, cover with cloth. then soil and plants. It's a great way to keep plants happy.

[@terryatwater7961]

A genius with a sense of humor..Who would of thought.

[@suburbanbiology]

High praise!!! Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@Name-gi8dr]

Watching your channel makes me genuinely happy. I have come to observe the waste and your work is genuinely refreshing.

[@RobertKirkpatrick84]

I think this is a great build and the concepts would translate into anything! I see this being very easy to make with recycled pallets! If you make some ola pots, you could also use those to kick start the growing cycle. I have a similar concept inside my house for my houseplants, except I used perlite in the bottom as my reservoir and then a towel on top of that. My plants struggled but then I did ola pots and now they are thriving more than any plants I have ever grown!

[@suburbanbiology]

Cool! You’re right. this is kind of like large olla. I stole the idea from Earthship Biotecture.

[@Thomas-xn6em]

I am looking forward to the green house!

[@suburbanbiology]

Me too!!! Thanks for your support!

[@universalangei9320]

You can prevent punchers of the plastic by sifting the dirt with a screen that only lets dirt through. It won't take long to shift your dirt.

[@suburbanbiology]

When I scale this idea up to the greenhouse I will definitely plan on doing that. Thanks!

[@ChronicNameChanger]

I'm sure you could use the old drawers as some raised planters for smaller crops.

[@suburbanbiology]

Thanks for the idea!

[@seba_stiano]

Really excited to see the greenhouse project!

[@suburbanbiology]

Thanks! I’m excited to build it!!!

[@grampydeathblade2217]

@10:53 instead of a fan blowing air in on the longer tube; place a fan on the lower one to draw the air down and so you can perform maintenance easier.

[@richardmacleod4878]

Hi, great information! Suggestion for the air heater. Fill the tubes with a course aggregate, the air will flow between the rock and hold the heat for longer.

[@SamFigueroa]

I'd also add a few sticks or small logs above the towels before putting in the dirt. It also acts as a moisture reservoir and aids in mycelial growth for the roots to get nutrients.

[@bubatzmann9081]

Its so weird how some of your videos get millions of views and other just thousands. Great channel though! Cant wait for the next vid!

[@suburbanbiology]

Thursday :) let’s hope for millions on this next one 🤞🏻 A very important topic IMO.

[@l0gic23]

The power of sharing...?

[@ShioriWhitefeather]

for the drawers, you could use them for flower pots

[@suburbanbiology]

That’s a cool idea. Thanks for weighing in!!!!

[@7drnjnova7]

The Drawers! The Drawers make amazing planter boxes. Those smaller drawers that you show early in video are perfect for flower beds, succulent gardens, or plants that are generally 'indoor' plants. Perfect , because you can move them around seasonally to follow the sun, or the shade.

[@epicosity5588]

I don't know if you have chickens, but I like to sprout whatever cheap grain I have handy and those file cabinet shelves would be useful to sprout on and let grow for a bit before bringing it to the chickens. When they are done, I could add more compost and sprout another batch.

[@MissJubilee]

Nice idea! My favorite line is “I assume if you have an internet connection, you can source an old towel.” That I can! A truck, a dolly, and a drill with a strong enough motor and large enough bit for this project, not so much. Sigh. Still, it at least makes me think of what else might work as a planter that one wouldn’t expect… and consider what accessories I might want if I ever replace the 50-year-old electric drill my household currently uses :)

[@suburbanbiology]

I must say I love my battery drill. I grew up using a corded black & decker from the 50s. Modern battery drills are insanely good. Thanks for watching and for commenting!!!

[@theyellowarchitect4504]

Based. Looking forward to the scaled version of the greenhouse version, looks promising! Btw the orange tree should be moved after the next winter, otherwise its development will be stunted as long its restricted in that file cabinet

[@suburbanbiology]

Thanks for the tip. I’ll move it to the warmest microclimate I can find in my yard. And then maybe someday the greenhouse!

[@Ottetal]

I love watching this channel. It's weird how some of your videos gets millions of views, and others have very few. Either way, all of the content is high quality - good watch

[@suburbanbiology]

Thanks! Yeah this one isn’t doing so well. I’m having a hard time thinking of a thumbnail that grabs attention.

[@Ottetal]

@@suburbanbiology Yeeeah, it's a tough one. Especially since the file cabinet's original strengths (heavy duty rails, boxy shape, drawers) are not really utilized to any extend. It could have been any rectangular object, but this one has no "that's mega weird - I *have to see that!*", which, for instance, an old fridge or box freezer could have given. Come to think of it, a box freezer is already a pretty decent planter

[@l0gic23]

​@@suburbanbiologyI never even saw it in my feed... I saw it after checking for any missed videos (after watching your latest post)

[@TheCarnager]

My grandfather made a bunch of giant insects out of scrap metals that decorated his shop. You could do this with your tools and they were wonderful on the front of his shop.

[@roberthousedorfii1743]

You really should have put a LOT of organics into that soil. It looks like it will settle over a few years into a rock like substance. Maybe add some earthworms, till in some organics for the worms and see what happens. I'd love to see a followup video next year on how compacted the soil midway and near the bottom has become...

[@awerawer0708]

I think this project is more of a demonstration than anything. It seems like he is gonna scale this up much bigger and will probably be more diligent about the soil

[@EveryoneWhoUsesThisTV]

I don't cut and join my plastic bottles; I just poke them full of holes with an old soldering iron. I fill the gaps between bottles with gravel (unless the reservoir is tall, then I use towers of coarse sand as wicks because gravel will only wick up around 10 inches) Reticulation pipe offcuts let me add water to the reservoir directly, which is useful for tomatoes or watermelon etc - plants that don't like splashes from watering. I use geotextile for the soil membrane. Wicking beds and wicking buckets are just the thing in sunny Australia! :)

[@suburbanbiology]

Great tips! Thanks for weighing in!!!

[@ml9867]

6:18 I'm not a teenage boy anymore, but I laughed like one hearing this.😂

[@ml9867]

You can use the drawers for storage under your bed. You'll just have to raise up the frame if the drawer sides and back are too tall.

[@dianeladico1769]

Neat idea. My only concern would be using cotton as a soil barrier. I'd worry that it would rot away fairly quickly. This is where I'd invest in some heavy-duty landscape fabric (I know, >$5). It's held up well for me in my wicking tubs. I had a towel wind up in a neglected corner of the garden and it was trashed by the following Spring. As to the drawers-you have the skill and materials for metalworking. I'd cut the drawers down from the back and trim the fronts so they fit back inside the file cabinet and rest on the back/bottom to either provide a stable bridge over the bottle reservoir or just raise the soil level a bit if you don't want all that weight or need the soil for the plants or the greenhouse idea. Or use the dividers to build a platform. Push comes to shove, trim and bury them to contain raspberry or other bramble plants.

[@suburbanbiology]

I like the idea of using them as the reservoirs. I never thought of that 🤔 they would rust out eventually but that’s still a cool idea! Thanks!

[@Maxim.Teleguz]

Man this is inspiring to watch.

[@RifleDrengr]

Found your channel a couple days ago and am really enjoying your videos! Keep on doing what you're doing! Really stoked to see the greenhouse being built :D

[@suburbanbiology]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m excited to build this thing. Just talked to the city today about all the rules I have to abide by.

[@joshua6287]

you could use the drawers to make a stacking bee hive

[@suburbanbiology]

I would have never thought of that one. Thanks!

[@VandDangle]

rather than wait until roots grow down to the reservoir you can also use microfiber cloth or actual wicks to draw water up into the grow bed. Depending on your growing medium you will have either moist areas plant roots can find much quicker or slightly moist soil everywhere if there is alot of organics to hold water in the soil. For drawer ideas... some kind of vent cover/flap for your new green house.. assuming you are taking them apart dog door.. attach them all together and mount on a rolling cart for a compartmented work table for the green house.

[@suburbanbiology]

Cool ideas! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@GhostLinx]

I want to see the greenhouse video to eventually replicate it for a self sufficient garden!

[@suburbanbiology]

I’m gathering materials and finalizing plans!!!

[@lynnhayes2363]

I have been holding on to some file cabinets for just this idea. Now I have a MUCH better plan on how to implement.

[@suburbanbiology]

NICE!!!! I’m so glad it could help you. Thanks for watching and for commenting!!!

[@johnwallace9467]

Well, Sir, you invited me to share my impressions of this video after I commented on the Fence. I think you might be right that the thumbnail is not an ideal welcome mat. It may just be that some projects don't distill easily into a pic...or a title. No one loves repurposing unlikely things more than I do but your clickbait challenge here is tough. My only thought is that the thumbnail be the finished planter (with plants) and the title: It's an Old File Cabinet! Less cinematic than the present one but perhaps more informative? Meanwhile, watching this very much confirmed your sense of balance in how you do your projects as well as the videos themselves. Extremely clear, fat-free, with lots of options for viewers with less money and/or fewer skills. Not to mention the occasional chortle. You are good company.

[@suburbanbiology]

Thank you! I am planning a new thumbnail. I tried one with the finished planter next to a file cabinet when it first launched but that one had even worse click analytics. Who knows 🤷 the mysteries of KZbin. I appreciate the time you took for the feedback. Thanks!!!!

[@Ash-fd8ww]

Ingenious and creative design. However this would never work with regular potting soil. The root rot problem you mentioned at the beginning only started in the 1980s, because soil in bags started to be cut with forestry products. Root rot isn't a symptom from wetness; its a condition from too many nutrients, while having a lack of oxygen. Now most bagged soil is 80% compost or forestry products, not "dirt" or mineral soil. This distinction is very important, or a lot of people will complain how it doesn't work for them. Dirt from the ground is the best. Bagged play-sand and peat moss would work, while adding potting soil over top after the plants go in.

[@suburbanbiology]

Thanks for that very important clarification. I plan on using both types of soil for the upcoming greenhouse build. I guess I’ll have to give that some thought 🤔

[@Ash-fd8ww]

@suburbanbiology Most welcome! The most notable source is Gary Matsuoka. He works at Laguna hills nursery in CA and he's been in the industry his whole life, and has a huge backlog of videos. Also posts video lectures every Saturday here on KZbin.

[@natewestervelt]

I'm really digging your videos. We recently moved to Boerne from Corpus and are leasing so this type of planter would be great. I would love to add a couple to the backyard with native plants to help attract birds. Do you have any suggestions on what to plant?

[@toiletfx5679]

12:06 Can't wait for the Greenhouse video :D

[@suburbanbiology]

Thanks! I’m excited to start building it!!!

[@slaplapdog]

How about a layer of Flex Seal as an alternative to or in addition to the liner? I've built wicking beds from refrigerators laid on their backs, with any holes filled with RapidSet cement. The insulation was very effective.

[@suburbanbiology]

I’ve never worked with flex seal but from the commercials I’ve seen that might work. Thanks for the idea!!!

[@stevenothanks7379]

pretty smart guy - good design

[@suburbanbiology]

Thanks!

[@douglaswindsor120]

Build an outdoor kitchen and use the drawers in the cabinet

[@vldmr.n]

Amazing stuff. Keep going

[@suburbanbiology]

Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@RayGalactic]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@suburbanbiology]

Thank YOU for watching and commenting! 🙏🏼

[@rickskeptical]

0:42 Really?..............................I mean I really relished your relatable report. From SA by the way. Subscribed.

[@elwood212]

I’d use the DRAWS as storage draws on wooden shelves for yr workshop.

[@suburbanbiology]

Good idea. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@christyhughes6632]

That's what She said😊

[@suburbanbiology]

Which part? The “it’s a bit time consuming…” thing? 😂

[@EricFeldmann]

might i suggest using shower curtains for a liner, they can be gotten a a dollar store for cheap

[@suburbanbiology]

Good idea! Thanks

[@brettnoss6220]

0:41 was quite impressive

[@suburbanbiology]

Took me a few tries 😂 thank you! 🙏🏼

[@mitsuruchan1480]

Genuine question: aren't the plastic bottles going to degrade and release micro plastics into the plantation eventually? I remember seeing some articles warning people to not use plastic bottles in planters, especially if they are exposed to water or heat, although they seemed more like personal opinions and didn't link to any scientific paper to prove it (I don't think there are any).

[@Trix-i5y]

Could the drawers fit upside down in inside the cabinet and create a resovior?

[@suburbanbiology]

That’s a great idea. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before these comments. Thanks for weighing in!!!

[@Eyes0penNoFear]

2:11 Legos are too sharp for plastic liners, got it 😂

[@suburbanbiology]

😂 you must have children!

[@joshnabours9102]

0:40 how many takes this this clip require to get the tongue twister right? I am curious.

[@suburbanbiology]

😂 somewhere around 10

[@joshnabours9102]

@@suburbanbiology Nice! That is not bad at all to be honest.

[@gdubbyu9033]

I appreciate the concept of using the earth as a thermal mass device in your scaled up version in the greenhouse build. Are you intending to cool it in a geothermal fashion? I ask because I watched a video not long ago of a guy, like yourself, attempt that and failed because the passive solar heating of the greenhouse overwhelmed the system. I’m certain a YT search will bring up the vid.

[@suburbanbiology]

There is no way I would be able to keep it adequately cool with just geothermal. I plan to have many windows, louvers in the roof, and several large sliding doors. On top of that, I also plan on welding a structure that will allow me to drape shade cloth over the top of the entire greenhouse. My climate is crazy hot, so i need to overbuild the cooling system. I also will not plant anything that dies in mild heat. Thanks for commenting!!!

[@Ally-cat00]

Do shorts too 💡

[@suburbanbiology]

I’ll try to start some for you. Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@GregoryDai]

your thumbnell doesn't let people know its you, if i had known i would have come seen this sooner

[@suburbanbiology]

I appreciate your support! I will try to include myself in my future thumbnails to let the audience know. Thank you for the feedback!!

[@MarcelinoDanielsson-le4mz]

Remember the duckweed.

[@Sugar3Glider]

Planter pans were supposed to have water in there, I told you mom!

[@suburbanbiology]

😂

[@flp376]

Oh I tell people at work this all the time when I see they are over watering out plants. I'm like just fill the pan. Then fill the jug add a string and it will water itself. Lol

[@TaigiTWeseDiplomat--Formosan]

i wonder will the still water stuck in the bottom smell bad...

[@suburbanbiology]

Only very slight anaerobic smell to it. The large amount of air in the tubes makes it a fairly aerobic environment

[@schex9]

There's no way those plants will grow roots 2 ft or 3 ft down to the reservoir. Have you ever dug up a plant? Most roots are within 12". As someone here noted, water may wick upward a bit.

[@vegasprepperone]

turn the drawers on their side and stack now you have a shelving unit for tools in your garage or a bookcase in your office

[@suburbanbiology]

Maybe even tack weld them together into a tower like that 🤔 thanks!

[@greasedragon77]

0:42 How many takes did you do on that tongue twister?😂😂😂

[@suburbanbiology]

About 12 😂

[@roberthousedorfii1743]

Screw them onto studs in your walls. Use fender washers to distribute the weight, or just stack them from the floor up, for earthquake stability. Do NOT let the wife see them....

[@susanschmid2271]

Super.

[@suburbanbiology]

Thanks!

[@skitzochik]

YAYYYYY...

[@suburbanbiology]

Thanks for watching as always 🙏🏼

[@stevenothanks7379]

choo that lil excavator is going to take dayyyyssssssss

[@suburbanbiology]

Yeah it’s not fast but it’s what I got 😂

[@ouchymytoe]

Except...identical plastic bottles aren't free. Did you source yours for free?

[@615DUNN81]

Use them for chicken nesting boxes

[@sandrinakeffufal6008]

I don't know why you just didn't call it a wicking bed?

[@wolframcarmichaelyear5605]

Is your channel flower an edelweiss

[@suburbanbiology]

It was meant to be a metal version of the sunflower that was my original channel icon 🤷

[@wolframcarmichaelyear5605]

Ok

[@Arfath-here]

This guy will definitely survive zombie apocalypse 😂

[@suburbanbiology]

😂 🙏🏼

[@EyesOn-Me]

LIKE THE VIDEO so more people can learn!

[@Nooflyer]

I wonder how long did this tongue twister take to tape properly?! 😝

[@suburbanbiology]

At least 5 takes 😂

[@susanschmid2271]

[@eddielong96]

Are you using AI thumbnails?

[@AB__AL91]

👋🏻😁

[@steeleanderson1172]

Hear me out, you can keep documents and "files" in the drawers

[@suburbanbiology]

Blasphemy! 😂

[@jeffbrown9060]

I have absolutely no interest in any of these projects. I'm just here for the alliteration.

[@napalmholocaust9093]

Step drills are not the fastest. Hole cutter broaches are, they are expensive, that's why you don't know about them. One is like 30 step drills in price. But if you drill sheet all day, you don't want to waste all that time cutting out all the material in a hole.

[@suburbanbiology]

Touché. I actually have one. I use it in my porch Rennovation video to make the sliding doors. Would have been extreme overkill for this thin sheet metal though. But you’re right. Since it only cuts a ring and not a circle it is faster. Thanks!!!

[@Acr6gAttt-mq2hr]

Why did you say the cabinet was $5 when it was actually free

[@suburbanbiology]

All the other stuff to build this totaled to about $5.

[@ItsJoeyG]

I absolutely love this channel and this video, but please stop with the AI generated thumbnails. I almost didn't click on the video because I thought it was more AI slop until I saw your channel name.

[@suburbanbiology]

I tried 3 other thumbnails with real pictures and this video didn’t perform very well at all compared to some of my others. I did my best to make an AI thumbnail that is attractive and over all fairly honest summary. It seems a lot of commenters are annoyed but the views seem to be up trending now. I am at odds with myself. If I want the work I put into these videos to get seen I’m somewhat obligated to use thumbnails that get views. I hope you will forgive the AI. I just couldn’t get the video to perform with the real photos. Perhaps I’m not planning my photo shoots well enough??? 🤔 the problem is that once this planter is loaded with dirt it’s too late to move it for a photo.

[@yoyomi6226]

Without the music and just the nature and work sounds will make the videos waaay more enjoyable and interesting

[@suburbanbiology]

I aimed for less music in the video below. But this video didn’t perform as well as many others. I would love to get your feedback. Do you think the below video is any better? Thanks! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYnNiquLpdJ3rck

[@yoyomi6226]

@@suburbanbiology it’s better but I don’t think you need any music at all because 1 you very good voice 2 people associate nature with just nature sounds 3 it will be less work for you so you don’t have to match the right music with the right vid

[@ezforsaken]

I like the channel but I hate the AI generated thumbnails. Please go back to the old ones

[@suburbanbiology]

I have been trying for the past week but I just couldn’t get this video to get any traction with the pics I took originally. Notice the views are as low as they are. It’s nuts but if I don’t get the perfect shot with my camera for a thumbnail the entire video is dead in the water. Same thing happened with the wasp video. It started with a real pic of my hand holding sleeping wasps. The video wouldn’t budge. Then with the help of Grok I got it to get some views. I’m sorry you don’t like them. I’d prefer my real-life photos too…..if only they would work.