DIY aeroponic

How a Hot Summer Inspired a Sustainable Garden for small areas

In the summer of 2023, Kolding experienced an unusually hot season, and the municipality placed restrictions on water usage for gardening. Faced with this challenge, my friend and I decided to design our own vertical garden system that recycles water and uses mostly recycled materials. Inspired by YouTube ideas, we built it from scratch — and it turned into a big success.

Perspective on Recycling

Later, in collaboration with Kolding Genbrug, we built several more towers — this time using only recycled materials. It was incredibly rewarding to give discarded materials new life and create sustainable solutions in the process.

We also incorporated our own DIY machine, PetBoy, which produces PET filament from recycled bottles. This filament was then used to 3D-print various custom parts for the towers. We encourage others to try the same — building your own towers from recycled materials is not only creative, but also a meaningful contribution to reuse and sustainability.

Today, some of these towers are installed at friends’ homes, our local makerspace B5, and even in a few kindergartens.

Reflection

“What started as a necessity became a tool for community education and a reminder that sustainable solutions often start small — and local.”

How to build you
plant-tower

Below is a list of materials needed for this project. Don’t worry if you can’t find exact matches — suitable alternatives will work just as well.

you will need follow materials

PVC pipe – (for stem) 100 – 125mm in diameter1 unit
PVC pipe – (for center) 15-16mm diameter1 unit
Aquarium pump1 unit
Bucket with top1 unit
Duct tape
Spray paint (if you like to color you tower)1 can

Tools need for this project.

  • Safety glasses
  • 3D printer – minimum 120x120mm bed
  • Measuring tape
  • Hacksaw
  • Heat gun
  • 5 mm PVC pipe between 30–50 cm long

Pipe Mount holder
You’ll also need two wooden strips, each about 40 mm × 30 mm and 30 cm long.

  1. Find the center point along the length (15 cm) and the center along the width (e.g., for a 40 mm wide strip, measure 20 mm in).
  2. Mark 5 cm from each end along the length.
  3. Connect these marks to the center mark to form a triangle.
  4. Cut along the triangle lines with a saw.

You now have two wooden mounts that can hold the pipe securely when marking and cutting planting holes in your tower.

Let’s get started step by step

PVC Aeroponic Tower

1. Main Distances and Parts

Spread the next 5cm over the top 10cm. Make a 6cm diameter hole on all 6 sides. If you use a 100mm pipe, we recommend 6-8 pipes. If you use a 125mm pipe, we recommend 8-10 pipes. 12 pipes with a diameter of 60mm or more is ideal. The drill bit should not be 4.6cm for a 60mm pipe and 4.8cm for an 80mm pipe, as it is placed with a list of specific measurements.

2. Marking Holes

Mark holes on the PVC pipe. The markings in the picture show how to use a jig or template. This is for 25mm holes on each side with 1 cm between them. Use a thin marker or a piece of tape that can be removed afterward.

3. Process for the Holes

Secure your pipe to a work surface as horizontally as possible using a clamp. Attach a 50mm drill bit (or 100mm, 125mm) and make sure there’s 10cm between each hole. The drill must be able to bore through 10mm material. You’ll need to drill a hole through the top of the pipe to attach the top of the tower. Then, use a 120mm drill to make 10 holes with a 5cm gap in the top of the tower.

  • It’s very important that the drill can bore through a 10mm material.
  • Start by drilling in the top center with a hole saw.
  • Drill holes with a 10cm distance.
  • Drill the hole in the bottom of the pipe, which is 160mm.
  • Use a saw with a hole in the bottom that is 50mm, 100mm, 120mm.

4. Bottom and Container

Secure the bottom pipe to a work surface. Use a 50mm drill to make a hole through the bottom. Then, drill a hole in the top of the pipe with a 160mm drill. Use a saw to drill a hole 10cm from the top and another hole 5cm from the top.

5. Pump and Center Pipe

Use a water pump to pump water from a container to the top of the tower. You will need a submersible pump with a 125mm diameter. Place this pump at the bottom of the tower, 5cm from the bottom.

6. The Top with a Water Distributor

Drill a hole in the top of the tower with a 120mm diameter and another with a 160mm diameter. Then, use a 50mm diameter saw to drill a hole in the top, followed by a 100mm saw, and finally a 120mm saw.

7. Fill a Cup of Coffee and
a Cup of Soil ☕️

Drill holes with a 1 cm distance between them. Fill a cup of coffee and a cup of soil. (This line is repeated multiple times in the original instructions).