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Content on this page is purely educational and not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, recommend, or prevent any condition.
At the heart of the ILFJL Collective is a simple…
Plant Share For All: Cultivating Community Wellness
The ILFJL Collective is driven by a fundamental belief: how we care for our most vulnerable reflects the true health of our community. We believe that love and compassion should be accessible to everyone, and this philosophy guides all our…
Growing Indoors with Ease: A DIY Kratky Container Series Using Recycled Materials Part 1: Getting Started with Basic Supplies and Setup
Over the years, I’ve tested many indoor growing methods, trying out different containers and setups to find something that’s not only effective but also easy to replicate using materials most people can find in their own city. My goal was simple: create a growing system that works in small indoor spaces, uses food-safe recycled materials, can start seeds in one container, and allows plants to be moved to larger setups as they grow. After plenty of trials, I’ve landed on a method I’m excited to share.
This series will walk you through each step with photo examples, but here’s what you’ll need for the first part:
Two 4L water jugs – Often found in recycling bins; I regularly collect these in my apartment building.
Three 500ml water bottles – Also widely available through recycling.
One medium to large aluminum pie plate – Especially easy to find after holidays or special events.
A good pair of scissors – Essential for cutting and shaping the containers.
With just these few items, you’ll be able to create your first small Kratky-style container system—a low-cost, no-pump hydroponic setup perfect for indoor growing.
While these containers can technically be used outside, they’re best suited for indoor use. Wind and rain can easily knock them over or dilute the nutrient solution, affecting plant health. Indoors, you can maintain stable conditions all year round, even in a small space like a kitchen or sunny windowsill.
This first article introduces the concept and materials. Future parts of the series will cover:
How to cut and assemble the base container
How to prep and place your plants
When and how to refill nutrient solutions
Tips for different plant types and growth stages
How growing indoors improves air quality and personal wellness
We’ve already shared general posts about using recycled materials, but this series will focus on step-by-step guides to show exactly how we do it. In the future, we hope to create full video tutorials—but for now, getting these written guides out is the fastest way to help more people start growing.
With a little education and some creativity, you can take control of your health and wellness—right from your kitchen—with zero soil, zero pesticides, and almost zero cost.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll cover how to create the base housing where your seeds will begin their journey to harvest.
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