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An Amateur Gardening report describes “Bobylon,” a DIY approach to floating planters made from repurposed expanded polystyrene in containers such as an old bath or sink. The setup can store rainwater and keep selected plants supplied with moisture, but it is not a substitute for large floating gardens and requires attention to plant roots, water levels and loose plastic.
Amateur Gardening has described a small-scale floating planter system, nicknamed “Bobylon,” that uses repurposed expanded polystyrene to suspend plant pots over rainwater in containers such as an old bath or sink. The idea offers gardeners a way to keep some moisture-loving crops supplied during dry spells, but the report presents it as a limited home-growing method, not a replacement for large floating gardens.
The proposed setup uses a thick, flat piece of expanded polystyrene, cut to fit inside a water-holding container. Holes allow the bases of plant pots to reach the water, while the floating board rises or falls with the water level. Gardeners can adjust buoyancy by adding weight or slipping extra pieces of flotation underneath. A second polystyrene tray or a layer of capillary matting can help support smaller seed trays.
The report says a small container such as a baby bath may hold enough rainwater for a small blueberry plant, but not several thirsty plants without topping up. Nutrients can leach from the growing medium, so occasional feeding may be needed. Shallow trays are better suited to starting salad leaves, spinach, Chinese greens and watercress than growing larger plants to full size.
Some plants may tolerate pots with their bases in water, including tomatoes, melons, cucumbers and sweet peas, according to the report. It also names cranberries, blackcurrants and blueberries as plants that like moist conditions, while cautioning that even moisture-loving crops should have soil or compost above the waterline. Most plants need air around their roots and can be harmed by waterlogging, particularly in cold conditions.
A Small-Scale Response to Dry Spells
The system is a modest way to make use of stored rainwater and reduce the need for frequent watering of selected plants. It could be useful for gardeners with a suitable container but little space for a pond or conventional floating raft. The report does not provide trial results or quantify water savings, so its benefits should be understood as a practical suggestion rather than a measured performance claim.
It also highlights a trade-off in reusing plastic materials. Expanded polystyrene seed trays can be repurposed, but broken fragments may enter soil or waterways. The report advises removing loose pieces and disposing of breakages safely. Water containers need care, too: an uncovered water butt can collect debris and insect larvae, and a floating pot in a deep container may rise too high or become exposed to wind as water levels change.
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From Large Rafts to Home Containers
The report compares the home project with floating gardens seen in documentaries, where large rafts of timber and bark carry soil and crops. Such rafts may sit 30 to 60 centimetres above the water and can support a range of plants, including fruit trees. Bobylon adapts the basic idea for a smaller scale, using a household container rather than a pond or waterway.
The article frames the approach against alternating drought and heavy rain, which can make routine gardening difficult. Its central distinction is that plants may benefit from a steady water supply without having their roots submerged. A floating support keeps pots near the water while allowing the growing medium to remain mostly above it; the article does not suggest that all crops can be grown this way.
““After the drought, the deluge inevitably comes.””
— Amateur Gardening report
Limits and Risks Still Apply
The report does not specify the planter’s dimensions, the best polystyrene thickness, or how long a given volume of stored water will last under different weather and plant conditions. It also gives no test data comparing this method with ordinary container watering. Suitability will depend on the container, crop, growing medium and local conditions.
Plants named as possible candidates are not guaranteed to thrive in every setup. The article stresses that waterlogging can kill plants, especially in cold conditions, and does not provide a detailed method for managing water quality or pests. It warns that uncovered water butts may collect debris and insect larvae. No assessment of the method’s overall environmental impact is provided beyond the advice to prevent polystyrene fragments from escaping.
Check the Setup Before Planting
The report offers a do-it-yourself suggestion rather than announcing a formal project or scheduled follow-up. Gardeners considering it would need to choose a container and crops suited to the available depth, keep compost above the waterline, check water levels and feed plants when needed. They should also secure the floating support against wind and prevent loose polystyrene from entering the garden or drainage.
Amateur Gardening’s article points readers to its website for further gardening advice. It does not describe a larger trial, provide performance results, or set out a next milestone for the Bobylon idea.
Key Questions
What is Bobylon?
Bobylon is the report’s name for a small floating planter made from repurposed expanded polystyrene, plant pots and a water-holding container such as an old bath or sink.
Which plants does the report suggest?
It lists tomatoes, melons, cucumbers and sweet peas as plants that may be stood in saucers of water. It also describes cranberries, blackcurrants and blueberries as moisture-loving, while warning that their growing medium should remain above the waterline.
Can floating planters grow crops to full size?
That depends on the crop and container. The report says shallow trays are useful for starting salad leaves, spinach, Chinese greens and watercress, but may not provide enough compost depth for most plants to reach a large size.
What are the main cautions?
Keep most roots from being submerged, since waterlogged soil can harm plants. Monitor water levels, account for nutrients leaching from the growing medium, secure floats in deeper containers, and dispose of broken polystyrene safely. An uncovered water butt can also collect debris and insect larvae.
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