Vertical gardening in 8' pvc pipe

Question

I am making a vegetable garden from a 8' by 10 inch/ 1/2 thick PVC pipe indoors. 
I am planning on putting a 2' pipe inside that for water/compost and worms. 
I'd like to know what to use for a small pump with timer? How to avoid the smells inside? Should I use rocks and what type for minerals? The blue pipe is my pipe on a small landing:) I will be putting holes in it. What should I plant or what is best to plant and in what order? Should I paint the PVC? It is one used for our city's water lines so I believe its safe.

Carrie Lonsdale · Answer

I built an indoors aquaponics system in my basement and you need grow lights to sustain plants even being near a window won't do it. The 2' is Ok but I suggest net pots and you will get roots clogging the pipe as they grow I would also suggest a netting in the net pots to help contain the roots. If you have fish feeding the plants you wouldn't need chemicals something you may want to think about. Basil grows well and actually my tomato plants in the basins I grew in got over 5 feet tall. I used the plastic boxes that come with lids and made a bell siphon system for it. Your system will be great for starting plants for growing outside as well. Email me at clons3253@aol.com I have had my stem going for over 2 years now.

Valerie · Answer

I just saw your post. I had just been looking at a post using pipe and a watering system, and although it is not exactly what you describe for your project, it may give you some ideas. Here is the link: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/grow/flowers/diy-flower-tower-3968218

Brice Manson · Answer

no fish. iam going to put a barrier so the roots dont get into my 2 inch inner watering pipe.

Brice Manson · Answer

what about a pump type to recycle tye water from the bottom to the top? in the inside pipe can i put in compost? rocks in the bittom for minerals? and what about the smell? worms?

Gary Stenzel · Answer

In a healthy system there wont be any bad odors. If it starts to stink, something is wrong. You will definitely need grow lights, that window wont be enough. There are a lot of plans online for similar systems, you would gain a lot of insight by googling your project.

Carrie Lonsdale · Answer

You can use an outdoor pond pump and it also depends on how high the water needs tto be pumped if it's higher than 3 feet a pond pump would work go onto youtube I made a floating raft system and 2 aquaponic systems combining ideas and I also used red wrigglers for my aquaponics underneath the rock. I am 50 if I can do it anyone can.

Karen Whelton · Answer

Very ambitious project, and I wish you tremendous success. One question...how will you handle the pollination issue indoors ?

Connie Hoge · Answer

look into hydroponics. you won't need soil and there are no smells.

Vertical gardening in 8' pvc pipe

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Vertical gardening in 8' pvc pipe

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