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Far From Normal

Parenting, Homeschooling & Life Lived Happily Outside the box

Home » How to Make a Milk Crate Garden

How to Make a Milk Crate Garden

May 20, 2014 by Krista 11 Comments

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A milk crate garden is a great way to grow fresh fruits and veggies in very little space! They are super easy to make here’s how! 

A couple of months ago when I went to the Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show.

While I was there I knew that I’d be gardening differently this year so I took note of some great ideas that I came across.

One of my favorites was this milk crate garden.

DSCF4286

 

 

Gardening in a milk crate is pretty much the same idea as square foot gardening. It’s kind of amazing what you can grow in these happy little plastic boxes.  (for a great sq. ft. gardening guide head over here)

You also get the benefit of raised beds with no weeds, and without having to build anything.

It’s very very easy… and pretty awesome.

 

Milk Crate Garden

Here’s what you’ll need for your milk crate garden!

– A milk crate

– Landscaping fabric. Make sure you get the fabric, not the plastic-y kind. You’ll want it to be 36in wide.

– Potting soil- good quality soil, you want it nice and fluffy soil that will drain well.

– scissors

– seedlings

 

First lay out your fabric and set your milk crate on top to get a good measurement. You want to get about an inch overhang on each side.

how to make a milk crate garden

 

Now do that again – you’ll have 2 pieces of the same size.

Next you want to tuck it into your milk crate leaving a little overhang on each side.

make a milk crate garden

 

Now tuck your second piece in the opposite direction.

 

DSCF4638

 

 

Help from a kitten makes everything go more smoothly.

When it’s all finished it will look like this. It’s ok if its imperfect.

how to make a milk crate garden

 

Now carefully add in your dirt, pour it slowly so that your fabric doesn’t come loose and fall in. Once you have it all filled with potting soil tuck in your seedling.

 

how to make a milk crate garden

 

Once you’re all finished you can arrange them however you want. The excess fabric can be trimmed if you want or you can leave it folded over the sides.

 

I’ve got broccoli, tomatoes, tomatillos, and green peppers planted in my milk crate garden. I’m excited to see how well they do this year!

I set up 8 crates but want to see how awesome this can be on a large-scale? Tom Colicchio (from Top Chef) sources his produce from this guy who is an Urban Milk Crate farmer, get some inspiration looking here. 

Happy Gardening! Come back and let me know if the milk crate garden works for you!

 

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Filed Under: DIY & Crafts

Comments

  1. Jessica Millwood says

    May 20, 2014 at 9:18 am

    Great idea! We are doing raised beds this year, hubby built me boxes, but I may do some milk crates too… Thanks!

  2. Becca says

    May 21, 2014 at 8:57 pm

    That looks like a good idea for those who don’t have a yard for a garden!

  3. Krista says

    May 22, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    It is, or if you don’t have a spot for anything permanent! Thanks for stopping by!

  4. Marie Bungard says

    May 23, 2014 at 10:31 am

    This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! WooHoo! Hopping here from Freedom Friday was the best thing I’ve done today…so far! Blessings to you and yours.

    Marie @ http://countedcrossstitchcafe.com & http://asatisfiedspirit.com

  5. Krista says

    May 23, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    So glad you like it!! Your comment made my day!

  6. John says

    July 5, 2015 at 10:46 am

    You can use a staple gun to secure the fabric to the crate, making the system a little easier to handle. These are also great for a sunny deck or balcony!

  7. Dona Valora says

    July 6, 2017 at 1:40 am

    Dear sirs,

    We are a small Baptist church in Cheyenne, WY. Where do we find 200 to 300 of the crates for our garden? We are trying to grow enough food to feed the homeless here in Cheyenne.

  8. Rhonda says

    July 7, 2018 at 9:37 am

    I have bigger crates used for vegetables, I’m going to use those, I was wondering how I could utilize them I have so many. I wanted to start my raised bed this year but didn’t now I can. Thanks. To the church in chyanne I would check your local grocery stores at the produce department or if you have a wholesale produce market in your area, check with the vendors.

  9. Pete says

    June 2, 2019 at 9:56 am

    I started milk crating a few yrs ago while installing power & lighting on a job for a local restaurant. They had a huge set-up & grew all their own veggies as well as herbs & flowers for tabletops. All on the roof of a NYC building.

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