Show Me Your Pallet Projects!

[ChicksnMore]

I'll have to check into that. I have a neighbor that has a canopy like that for his pickup. But he takes down the roof in the winter. I don't imagine it is strong enough for our snow loads here in northern Minnesota. His canopy roof is too flat. But maybe there are other options with roofs that would shed snow.

As for the pallets on the bottom, I have been looking at a number of greenhouse builds where they use pallets for the bottom base wall and then use hog/cattle panels for the arch above.

With pallet wood shelves inside something like this...

I like a number of pallet greenhouse ideas in the following 30 mins YouTube video. Maybe too long for many, but that's the kind of programs I watch these days.

Love that. I have pallet shelves in my greenhouse too but I just stacked some cement blocks and layed whole pallets on them. That's much prettier. I have some hog panel arches too but I'm short so they work for me straight on the ground. Poor hubby has to duck...might try doing that so he can use the space better too.

 

[ChicksnMore]

@gtaus thought I should add that on the carport frame...I added metal conduit pipe to the top of the frame as extra support for the roof. Just flatten each end where it's attached to the frame and screw it on with the self tapping screws. The metal sheeting can be attached to the conduit pipe too. I did one extra pipe between each frame section. Not sure if it's needed, but it worked really well.

 

[gtaus]

I have some hog panel arches too but I'm short so they work for me straight on the ground. Poor hubby has to duck...might try doing that so he can use the space better too.

I think the big advantage to having a pallet wall underneath the hog panels is that you can make the greenhouse a bit wider while at the same time raise the roof of the arch. I suspect that, where I live in northern Minnesota, I might need to add top of the arch support framework for the hog panel arch to handle our winter snow loads.

I also like the pallet greenhouse designs that build raised pallet beds on both outsides of the greenhouse. I think that would provide extra strength to the greenhouse walls and add more weight to the greenhouse in high winds. On the inside, you could use that same pallet wall to build in shelves and storage areas inside the greenhouse.

Well, I got lots of good ideas, I have the materials, now I just to need to find a location for the greenhouse and eventually get the energy to put a greenhouse together. I have one spot that might be good for a greenhouse, but I have to cut down an old ~50-foot-tall pine tree. I have been avoiding that chore for years. But maybe this year I will take it down.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

just want to mention that I like the board-on-board usage of pallet wood to make your walls on your Chicken Chalet. How easy was that? I find that method super easy to make. And, when you get done, the pallet is even stronger.

It was totally easy. If you remember I used used boards that have already been broken off the pallets at work. We keep boxes around for the slats that break off.

I did NOT remove the nails I just bent them down and they pushed down the rest of the way when we screwed them in.

On the shed, the nails will be removed.

 

[gtaus]

We keep boxes around for the slats that break off.

I built a mobile pallet wood storage box to hold my bits and pieces from my pallet breakdowns. I thought it would last a long time before I filled it up.... Took about 2 hours to fill it!

I did NOT remove the nails I just bent them down and they pushed down the rest of the way when we screwed them in.

I can see my old shop teacher rolling over in his grave. But, heck yeah, why pull out those nails if they are not in the way of getting the job done!

On the shed, the nails will be removed.

I guess it depends on how you will use the pallet wood slats. I know that when I used the board-on-board method to make a roof over my recycled lumber stand, I just cut off the nails from the pallets with my reciprocating saw and the demolition blade. I left the nail heads in the slats because they filled the holes and they were not in the way of anything.

 

[gtaus]

...From another thread on composting, I updated my status on building a seed starting rack with pallet wood and reclaimed lumber. I've purchased most of the equipment I need for the seed starting. I have most of my reclaimed wood ready to go. I decided to build a pallet/reclaimed wood seed starting rack for free instead of buying a nice, new, $75.00 metal rack that I see everywhere. I am hoping that the plants don't care.

Anyway, here is the post from my composting thread....

I had hoped to start some seedlings this year inside the house, using my chicken run compost to mix in with other potting material to make soil blocks. But some of seeds I bought indicate I need to start them 8-10 weeks before our last frost date. For me, that's like next week. Unfortunately, I still have over 2 feet of snow outside and there is no way I will be able to sift any chicken run compost for many weeks yet.

So, change of plans for the moment. I watched a YouTube video on using 3-inch net pots in lieu of soil blocks. Like soil blocks, these net pots have the advantage of air pruning the roots of the plant, due to the slits in the pot, which is supposed to reduce or eliminate any transplanting shock. Also, you don't have any spiraling of the roots, like in a solid container, which causes the plant to get root bound.

Another advantage of using these net pots is that you don't need any special soil block mix to keep things together. You can just pack in any potting soil and call it a day. So, I ordered a 50 pack of these 3-inch net pots from Amazon for $15.00 and they should be here in a few days.

On Sunday, I purchased five 48-inch long LED shop lights for use as grow lights to hang on a seed starting rack that I will make out of reclaimed lumber and pallet wood. They were on sale at Menards - normally $20.00 each but on sale now for $10.00 after rebate. Each light is rated at 5,500 lumens and has a 4,500K rating. From what I understand, 6,500K would be the best, but as a seed starter light, anything from 4,100K-6,500K will work well. In any case, I was not going to buy "grow lights" which were around $60.00 each!

That should get me started on growing some of the early plants. Maybe later on, in 5 or 6 weeks, I can sift some chicken run compost and make soil blocks for any remaining plants I want to start early.

Later in the spring, or this summer, I am thinking about building a pallet wood greenhouse with cattle panels or PVC tubing for the arch.

Lots of gardening projects to work on this year and take advantage of all that black gold compost I have sitting in the chicken run.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

...From another thread on composting, I updated my status on building a seed starting rack with pallet wood and reclaimed lumber. I've purchased most of the equipment I need for the seed starting. I have most of my reclaimed wood ready to go. I decided to build a pallet/reclaimed wood seed starting rack for free instead of buying a nice, new, $75.00 metal rack that I see everywhere. I am hoping that the plants don't care.

Anyway, here is the post from my composting thread....

I had hoped to start some seedlings this year inside the house, using my chicken run compost to mix in with other potting material to make soil blocks. But some of seeds I bought indicate I need to start them 8-10 weeks before our last frost date. For me, that's like next week. Unfortunately, I still have over 2 feet of snow outside and there is no way I will be able to sift any chicken run compost for many weeks yet.

So, change of plans for the moment. I watched a YouTube video on using 3-inch net pots in lieu of soil blocks. Like soil blocks, these net pots have the advantage of air pruning the roots of the plant, due to the slits in the pot, which is supposed to reduce or eliminate any transplanting shock. Also, you don't have any spiraling of the roots, like in a solid container, which causes the plant to get root bound.

Another advantage of using these net pots is that you don't need any special soil block mix to keep things together. You can just pack in any potting soil and call it a day. So, I ordered a 50 pack of these 3-inch net pots from Amazon for $15.00 and they should be here in a few days.

On Sunday, I purchased five 48-inch long LED shop lights for use as grow lights to hang on a seed starting rack that I will make out of reclaimed lumber and pallet wood. They were on sale at Menards - normally $20.00 each but on sale now for $10.00 after rebate. Each light is rated at 5,500 lumens and has a 4,500K rating. From what I understand, 6,500K would be the best, but as a seed starter light, anything from 4,100K-6,500K will work well. In any case, I was not going to buy "grow lights" which were around $60.00 each!

That should get me started on growing some of the early plants. Maybe later on, in 5 or 6 weeks, I can sift some chicken run compost and make soil blocks for any remaining plants I want to start early.

Later in the spring, or this summer, I am thinking about building a pallet wood greenhouse with cattle panels or PVC tubing for the arch.

Lots of gardening projects to work on this year and take advantage of all that black gold compost I have sitting in the chicken run.

This is my first yr starting from seeds and my first garden in abt 6 yrs.

I followed my friends advice and used red solo cups to plant in. They've never had any issues, and garden every yr, all yr...

Fingers crossed they do OK during transplant.

I can't wait to see your shelf. I can't believe I didn't think to make one from pallets!!! My plants are on and under my computer desk bc I refused to buy a 75.00 selling unit

Right now I have tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and jalapeños under my desk. Strawberries, and Broccoli on top of my desk

 

[ChicksnMore]

...From another thread on composting, I updated my status on building a seed starting rack with pallet wood and reclaimed lumber. I've purchased most of the equipment I need for the seed starting. I have most of my reclaimed wood ready to go. I decided to build a pallet/reclaimed wood seed starting rack for free instead of buying a nice, new, $75.00 metal rack that I see everywhere. I am hoping that the plants don't care.

Anyway, here is the post from my composting thread....

I had hoped to start some seedlings this year inside the house, using my chicken run compost to mix in with other potting material to make soil blocks. But some of seeds I bought indicate I need to start them 8-10 weeks before our last frost date. For me, that's like next week. Unfortunately, I still have over 2 feet of snow outside and there is no way I will be able to sift any chicken run compost for many weeks yet.

So, change of plans for the moment. I watched a YouTube video on using 3-inch net pots in lieu of soil blocks. Like soil blocks, these net pots have the advantage of air pruning the roots of the plant, due to the slits in the pot, which is supposed to reduce or eliminate any transplanting shock. Also, you don't have any spiraling of the roots, like in a solid container, which causes the plant to get root bound.

Another advantage of using these net pots is that you don't need any special soil block mix to keep things together. You can just pack in any potting soil and call it a day. So, I ordered a 50 pack of these 3-inch net pots from Amazon for $15.00 and they should be here in a few days.

On Sunday, I purchased five 48-inch long LED shop lights for use as grow lights to hang on a seed starting rack that I will make out of reclaimed lumber and pallet wood. They were on sale at Menards - normally $20.00 each but on sale now for $10.00 after rebate. Each light is rated at 5,500 lumens and has a 4,500K rating. From what I understand, 6,500K would be the best, but as a seed starter light, anything from 4,100K-6,500K will work well. In any case, I was not going to buy "grow lights" which were around $60.00 each!

That should get me started on growing some of the early plants. Maybe later on, in 5 or 6 weeks, I can sift some chicken run compost and make soil blocks for any remaining plants I want to start early.

Later in the spring, or this summer, I am thinking about building a pallet wood greenhouse with cattle panels or PVC tubing for the arch.

Lots of gardening projects to work on this year and take advantage of all that black gold compost I have sitting in the chicken run.

Kudos on your shelf and shop light ...can't wait to see it.
I have a couple big old metal aquarium stands I turned into starter shelfs. I added three $10 light hoods from home Depot to each and use 100w daylight bulbs. The daylight bulbs give a decent red/blue spectrum for plants and beat the bleep out of plant lights for cost. Each light can be lowered or raised according to what's growing. For starter pots I use the little paper bathroom cups. They're quick and easy to poke holes into the base of and can plant the whole cup though I tend to remove them. I don't have anything starting right now so the shelves only have some misc plants and Xmas poinsettias waiting to plant outside, but here's one. My oldest kid got me a voice controlled power strip also so the lights are on a timer. Love how they come on and off by themselves.

For the net pots, if you find the dirt falls out too readily, you can line them with paper coffee filters. They'll hold the dirt in place well and still allow it to air trim roots. I love coffee filters for lining pots to keep the dirt from falling out.

 

[gtaus]

I followed my friends advice and used red solo cups to plant in. They've never had any issues, and garden every yr, all yr...

Fingers crossed they do OK during transplant.

Yeah, I was leaning towards the red solo cups myself. I also saved lots of those plastic 6 pack starter trays that I purchased my plants in the past several years. I think both those units would work OK for starting seeds, as long as you transplant them out before the roots start to spiral around inside the plastic.

But I was a bit concerned about the red solo cups and reusing the small 6 pack starter trays for my tomatoes and peppers that say they should be started 8-10 weeks inside before transplanting outside. I thought it was a better idea for me to just buy the 3-inch net pots which should be big enough so that I don't have to replant the starter plants before I bring them outside. And, of course, the air pruning of the 8–10-week-old roots in the slotted net pots should help in that respect.

I also considered buying the less expensive red solo cups, and then making slots in the cups using a utility knife or burning out slots with a solder iron. But that looked like it would take a long time for 50 cups, and I did not know if the red solo cups would be strong enough once the slots were removed from the cups.

In any case, I suspect the red solo cups with the slots in them would only be good for one year. In contrast, those 3-inch net pots are designed with the slots in them, and they are meant to be used year after year after year in hydroponics systems. So, at 30 cents per 3-inch net cup, I decided to invest in a 50 pack and give it a try.

I'll let you know how well the 3-inch net pots worked and maybe you can follow up and tell me how well the red solo cups worked for you. Again, my biggest concern was growing my tomato and pepper plants in the cups for 8-10 weeks and if the plants would get root bound over that length of time.

I can't wait to see your shelf. I can't believe I didn't think to make one from pallets!!!

I have some nice shelving boards that are 4 feet long by 13 inches wide. So, I am repurposing those for the shelf. I will use some pallet wood 2X4's to make the framing for the seed starting shelf. Essentially, all the wood is free to me.

Since I saved maybe $75.00 by building the seed starter shelf out of repurposed wood, I felt better about buying $50.00 of LED shop lights and $15.00 of those net pots. So far, I'm $65.00 into this project and I have yet to pot one plant! But everything I have purchased so far should last many, many years. I don't think I have to tell you how much potted plants cost at the nursery. I should recoup my costs in this first year alone.

One thing I liked about the metal shelves was that they come apart so easily once you are done with them and then you can store them out of the way. Thinking about that, I plan on making my pallet wood 2X4 shelf frame using nuts and bolts to hold it together instead of using screws. That way, when I'm done with the seed starter shelf, I can unbolt the frame and store the shelf pieces out in the shed.

I'll post a picture of the shelf once I get it built and setup. I hope to get it all done this week or next because I have to start to pot up some net cups and get those seeds growing. I'm thinking the shelf will be more functional than great to look at, but I'm OK with that.

 

[gtaus]

I have a couple big old metal aquarium stands I turned into starter shelfs.

I just did not have any shelves that were not being used. That would have been my first choice.

I added three $10 light hoods from home Depot to each and use 100w daylight bulbs. The daylight bulbs give a decent red/blue spectrum for plants and beat the bleep out of plant lights for cost.

A few years ago, I used those type of light hoods and full spectrum daytime bulbs to grow my Swiss Chard into the winter. They worked really good. But sometime in late February or early March the plants got infected with little bugs. Got a lot of Swiss Chard in the wintertime up till that point. Then I had to toss the plants out so the bugs would not go all over inside the house.

From everything I have heard and watched on YouTube, you don't have to spend $60 a unit for "Grow Lights." You just need bulbs that have a K value somewhere between 4,100K-6,500K. My shop lights I just purchased have a 4,500K value, but according to Google, they should be good enough for seed starting for the 8-10 weeks they will be inside.

My oldest kid got me a voice controlled power strip also so the lights are on a timer. Love how they come on and off by themselves.

Nice. I have some timers that I will set to be power on for about 12 hours per day. My timers are not voice controlled, but they should work for the starter shelf.

For the net pots, if you find the dirt falls out too readily, you can line them with paper coffee filters. They'll hold the dirt in place well and still allow it to air trim roots. I love coffee filters for lining pots to keep the dirt from falling out.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. From what I've read, the slots in the net pots should keep the dirt in. This is my first year with using net pots, so I probably will learn what works or not. Right now, I'm just going by what others have posted on YouTube.