Planting in Modules

[snohare]

I have some spare timber, and some spare time, and all the tools, but before I started sawing, thought I'd ask: has anyone had any success at making and growing using wooden modules ? I'm thinking of making a wooden grid, similar to those you see in wine boxes, with a removable bottom.
Don't have the money for the posh root trainers, and frankly I want to stop relying on plastic so much anyway...if I can.
Any tips, design ideas or experiences gratefully accepted !

[chris]

Sounds great, how are you planning on making the bottom removable? One large sheet with drainage holes?

[snohare]

Yes, I was thinking a sheet the size of a seed tray, on hole per module, held in place by a couple of pieces of wire. Maybe a staple and wire arrangement set into the bottom of the sides.
I am wondering how high the sides need to be though, and what size I'd need each module to be for say, garlic, or shallots, or broad beans.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Is your plan to plant on from these module's or to grow to maturity in them.

Colin

[zazen999]

I don't follow but would love to see photos and costs involved...

[Aberdeenplotter]

No reason why you shouldn't be successful with this but bear in mind the difficulties of sterilising wood as opposed to plastic. Post a photo when you have your prototype please

[Snadger]

Sounds vaguely Victorianesk...........I like it. Hardwood would be better methinks!

[Aberdeenplotter]

Should have said, I like the idea also

[snohare]

Yes, I doubt if I will have hardwood, what I have at present is some kind of pine. I'm hoping that this will help in sterilisation in that coniferous wood all contains terpenoids which inhibit fungal growth, on the negative side this may inhibit plant growth ! I have the funny feeling that the Victorians never used pine for such things, they always used hardwoods; but that may have been their typical "make it last a hundred years" thinking.
The plan is to grow on over the winter/early spring, then plant out. (Being careful not to drop excess apostrophes onto the seedlings as I remove them from the modules. )
Having made a criss-cross set of module sides (ideally I'd like grooved sides a la root trainers), I'm wondering if I could put a hinge on one side to hold the bottom on, and use a pair of small cabin hooks to fasten it at the other side. When ready to plant out, it would be a case of unlatching the hooks, then lifting the sides, poking as I did so, so that the plugs of soil were left sitting in situ on the base and the sides ended up sitting at 90 degrees to their original position.
Hmm, maybe some cheap plywood is the way to go...

[snohare]

AHA ! A cunning thought occurs. Get a cardboard wine box, remove the inserts, use them as a template and then scale down/modify as appropriate...

[snohare]

Am I imagining an echo in here, or am I in two minds about this ?

[veggiechicken]

Am I imagining an echo in here, or am I in two minds about this ?

You're just seeing double. Must be those empty wine boxes!

[veggiechicken]

I have used old wooden drawers (no rude comments please) as mini raised beds, with big drainage holes drilled in the base. No problems with sterilisation. Some have been inside a greenhouse, others up on outdoor staging. They're at least 10 years old.
Could the removable base slide into grooves?

[snohare]

I thought of grooves veggie; that would be better, assuming the wood doesn't swell with damp - but creating grooves involves using a router, which I have, but don't know how to use ! So I think this is one suggestion which we'll just have to let slide...

[veggiechicken]

I thought of grooves veggie; that would be better, assuming the wood doesn't swell with damp - but creating grooves involves using a router, which I have, but don't know how to use ! So I think this is one suggestion which we'll just have to let slide...

Do you need a Router Map?
I thought you were a skilled carpenter the way you propose cutting all those complicated, interlocking shapes for the modules. I feel misled!!

Why not just rest your box frame on a sheet of wood. You said it would only be seed tray size. Make the base slightly oversized and rest that on 2 other pieces of wood, so that the box can drain. Just pick up the base and box if you need to move it.
Or am I oversimplifying your project?