Creating a plant-based space weather station using outdoor plant boxes is an innovative way to merge sustainable gardening with space weather monitoring. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you build your own:

1. Choose the Right Plant Boxes: Select durable, weather-resistant outdoor plant boxes. Ensure they have proper drainage and enough space for sensors and plants.

2. Integrate Weather Sensors: Install basic weather sensors (like temperature, humidity, and light sensors) into the plant boxes. These will monitor local conditions while the plants grow.

3. Add Space Weather Tools: Incorporate simple space weather tools, such as a magnetometer or a low-cost radio receiver, to detect solar activity or geomagnetic storms.

4. Plant Selection: Opt for hardy, low-maintenance plants like succulents or herbs. Their growth patterns can indirectly reflect environmental changes.

5. Connect to a Data Logger: Use a microcontroller (like Arduino or Raspberry Pi) to collect and log data from the sensors. This data can be analyzed to correlate plant health with space weather events.

6. Visualize the Data: Create a dashboard or app to display real-time data, making it easy to track both plant growth and space weather patterns.

This project not only promotes sustainability but also offers a hands-on way to explore the fascinating connection between Earth’s environment and space phenomena. Happy building!