How to Build a Floating Garden

The Aztec Indians developed a successful system of growing vegetables on wet, marshy lands. Though their unconventional methods grew out of necessity, floating gardens have several advantages over gardens grown in soil. In addition to their impressive appearance, floating garden systems provide plants with high levels of nutrients and prevent soil-dwelling insect and animal pests from damaging crops.

2 treated 2-by-6 wood boards, 4 feet long
2 treated 2-by-6 wood boards, 8 feet long
2-inch galvanized nails
Hammer
6 mm polyethylene plastic
1-by-2 furring strips
Galvanized finishing nails
Saplings and vines
Twine
Palm fronds or straw
Finished compost

Instructions

- 1
  Place the wood boards together to make a frame. Nail the ends of the short boards to the ends of the long boards to hold everything in place.
- 2
  Line the frame with polyethylene plastic. Attach the edges of the liner to the top edge of the frame using furring strips and finishing nails.
- 3
  Fill the wood frame with about 20 gallons of water.
- 4
  Weave saplings and vines together to make a 3-by-7-foot rectangular mat. Secure the edges of the mat with twine.
- 5
  Line the woven mat with palm fronds or straw.
- 6
  Cover the palm fronds with about 3 inches of finished compost and lay the mat over the water. Some compost may fall into the water, but this is fine.
- 7
  Plant seeds or small plants in the compost. Herbs and leafy greens are ideal choices for a hydroponic floating garden.

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