Build a Cheap, DIY Soil Sifter for $20 or Less!
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Date: 2022-07-18
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Comments and reviews: 15
Jonny
Nice video. FYI the chicken wire is called hardware cloth and I sifted rocks some dummy put in the garden. When the squares are 1 in size, it's called cage wire. I used 1/2 X 3's to make it lighter and used 1/2 grid (1/4 is too small for my application. I used free wood from an old pallet and I put lawnmower wheels on one end and drawer handles on the other to move the rocks after the soil sifted through. I didn't put on the rails because I didn't need it, so mine is less than 1/2 the weight.
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Nice video. FYI the chicken wire is called hardware cloth and I sifted rocks some dummy put in the garden. When the squares are 1 in size, it's called cage wire. I used 1/2 X 3's to make it lighter and used 1/2 grid (1/4 is too small for my application. I used free wood from an old pallet and I put lawnmower wheels on one end and drawer handles on the other to move the rocks after the soil sifted through. I didn't put on the rails because I didn't need it, so mine is less than 1/2 the weight.
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CoAcRob
When the updated captions come in, let me know what you think. I'd love to work with you on a regular basis. Being able to help you would brighten my day, week, month. :) My husband and I are city kids who now live in a rural area. I love plants and gardening (our 2 gardens are in the laundry room and a spare bedroom. I'm a freelance transcriptionist/captionist/SEO Specialist. I want more people to learn about gardening from you.
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When the updated captions come in, let me know what you think. I'd love to work with you on a regular basis. Being able to help you would brighten my day, week, month. :) My husband and I are city kids who now live in a rural area. I love plants and gardening (our 2 gardens are in the laundry room and a spare bedroom. I'm a freelance transcriptionist/captionist/SEO Specialist. I want more people to learn about gardening from you.
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shoeknowme
The way I made mine for a box put down two legs each side so you can shake it back and forth get some exercise while doing it. You have a round container if you had a rectangle like a Rubbermaid tote you can have that screen with the legs going down sliding back and forth like you're panning gold LOL. Everything he said is exactly true save your money do a little work go old Style. Thank you for the video you're awesome
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The way I made mine for a box put down two legs each side so you can shake it back and forth get some exercise while doing it. You have a round container if you had a rectangle like a Rubbermaid tote you can have that screen with the legs going down sliding back and forth like you're panning gold LOL. Everything he said is exactly true save your money do a little work go old Style. Thank you for the video you're awesome
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The
I have one 1/4 inch and one 1/8 inch. I sieve through the 1/4 screen onto the 1/8 screen. this helps me get a consistent 1/4 size for bonsai and succulent mixes, and a fine 1/8 size for anything I need finer soil for. a 1/4 screen is probably enough for most people, but for some applications you dont only want to sieve out the big particles, but also the small particles.
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I have one 1/4 inch and one 1/8 inch. I sieve through the 1/4 screen onto the 1/8 screen. this helps me get a consistent 1/4 size for bonsai and succulent mixes, and a fine 1/8 size for anything I need finer soil for. a 1/4 screen is probably enough for most people, but for some applications you dont only want to sieve out the big particles, but also the small particles.
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Jim
The longer 2x4's that he used to cover the net and first frame assembly, should have been cut longer (1 1/2 inch + 1 1/2 inch = 3 inches, each board) to overlap and be nailed onto the previously assembled joints. The two shorter 2x4's should also be cut 3 inches shorter to fit in between the longer 2x4's. It will be stronger and last longer.
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The longer 2x4's that he used to cover the net and first frame assembly, should have been cut longer (1 1/2 inch + 1 1/2 inch = 3 inches, each board) to overlap and be nailed onto the previously assembled joints. The two shorter 2x4's should also be cut 3 inches shorter to fit in between the longer 2x4's. It will be stronger and last longer.
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Jason
Gee, I don't know. When I was a teenage gardener, I built a soil screen for zero dollars. Just used materials we had laying around on the farm. Good thing I could, too. My dad would have flipped his wig if I had spent a dime on playing in the dirt. He didn't think much of my gardening hobby. Didn't mind eating the veggies, though. :)
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Gee, I don't know. When I was a teenage gardener, I built a soil screen for zero dollars. Just used materials we had laying around on the farm. Good thing I could, too. My dad would have flipped his wig if I had spent a dime on playing in the dirt. He didn't think much of my gardening hobby. Didn't mind eating the veggies, though. :)
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Jennet
Don't forget to measure your wheelbarrow or tub that you will be sifting into - then you will know how long to cut your lumber. Thank you again for posting videos like this - I think you only showed me how to make a screen, but solved the mystery of my stumpy carrots and seed sowing failutes - the Soil was not fine enough!
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Don't forget to measure your wheelbarrow or tub that you will be sifting into - then you will know how long to cut your lumber. Thank you again for posting videos like this - I think you only showed me how to make a screen, but solved the mystery of my stumpy carrots and seed sowing failutes - the Soil was not fine enough!
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Chris
Those are usually called fence staples and that should be 1/2 Hardware Cloth. I am going to use this sifter for big stones that were dug up making a drainage system in my yard. It seems to me that 1/4 would be very hard to shift the red clay dirt here in Tennessee. That humus in his hands is good for your garden.
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Those are usually called fence staples and that should be 1/2 Hardware Cloth. I am going to use this sifter for big stones that were dug up making a drainage system in my yard. It seems to me that 1/4 would be very hard to shift the red clay dirt here in Tennessee. That humus in his hands is good for your garden.
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SummerBRZ
Thanks. It doesn't need to be well constructed, but it needs to last a while? How do those two go together? I put down tiny rocks for a fire pit, now the pit has to go and so do the rocks. Area will be grass again and I don't want the rocks jacking up my mower; hence me looking at how to make a sifter
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Thanks. It doesn't need to be well constructed, but it needs to last a while? How do those two go together? I put down tiny rocks for a fire pit, now the pit has to go and so do the rocks. Area will be grass again and I don't want the rocks jacking up my mower; hence me looking at how to make a sifter
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ann_m_bailey
Hey Eric! I started sifting my seed starting mix after seeing one of your episodes with Nature's Always Right. Much better results with my germination. Added benefit: I used the larger materials that didn't make the grade as mulch once the seedlings are transplanted! Thanks for your content.
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Hey Eric! I started sifting my seed starting mix after seeing one of your episodes with Nature's Always Right. Much better results with my germination. Added benefit: I used the larger materials that didn't make the grade as mulch once the seedlings are transplanted! Thanks for your content.
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Dan
Hardware cloth (not chicken wire, which has hexagon holes about 3/4 in diameter--great for sifting out rocks, if you go to buy it. 1/2 is better if you have soil that doesn't break up so easily. Making two, one 1/2 and one 1/4, will give you the best results for very fine soil when you need it.
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Hardware cloth (not chicken wire, which has hexagon holes about 3/4 in diameter--great for sifting out rocks, if you go to buy it. 1/2 is better if you have soil that doesn't break up so easily. Making two, one 1/2 and one 1/4, will give you the best results for very fine soil when you need it.
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Jeffery
2x4 is not plywood, it is usually pine, but is solid wood, not plys of wood pressed together. Also, that wire may be used by some people for chicken wire, but it is actually wire hardware cloth. Want the cheapest wood? Use an old pallet, usually free!
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2x4 is not plywood, it is usually pine, but is solid wood, not plys of wood pressed together. Also, that wire may be used by some people for chicken wire, but it is actually wire hardware cloth. Want the cheapest wood? Use an old pallet, usually free!
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Rae
Maybe it's under $20 if you already have the tools like a wire cutter or maybe it's prices went up. Went to Home Depot to buy the materials and almost spent $50. That's including the cheapest materials I could find.
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Maybe it's under $20 if you already have the tools like a wire cutter or maybe it's prices went up. Went to Home Depot to buy the materials and almost spent $50. That's including the cheapest materials I could find.
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Hula
Your video was really helpful. I did have a hard time figuring out which 2x4 to use. They had 3 different ones. I got kinda overwhelmed and left the store. I did tho take pictures of prices with the names.
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Your video was really helpful. I did have a hard time figuring out which 2x4 to use. They had 3 different ones. I got kinda overwhelmed and left the store. I did tho take pictures of prices with the names.
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Karen
I'm finding that a 1/4 hole sifts my shredded paper through. I suppose that's ok as long as I'm not 'selling it, but I'd rather not have the shredded paper blowing around in my yard. Suggestions?
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I'm finding that a 1/4 hole sifts my shredded paper through. I suppose that's ok as long as I'm not 'selling it, but I'd rather not have the shredded paper blowing around in my yard. Suggestions?
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