How To Make a Homemade Hydroponic Grow Cabinet

Mount the lamp to the underside of the lid of the trash can by putting screws through the lamp and the lid and tightening nuts on the other side. Orient the lamp so it shines down into the trash can.

Line the trash can with the plastic tarpaulin. Fill the can with water and nutrient solution according to the ratio directions on the package.

Cut several holes in the Styrofoam board to the size of the bottoms of the plastic cups. The cups should fit snugly into the holes, with the bottoms of the cups slightly below the level of the board. Poke holes into the bottoms of the cups.

Cut the Styrofoam board to fit within the trash can, floating on the water. Fill the cups with soil medium and plant your desired seeds. Place the lid back on the trash can and move the grow cabinet to wherever it is convenient. Plug in the lamp and give the plants an appropriate amount of light per day, depending on species.