Earthbox update...

[wordwiz]

Thanks for the feedback from everyone. I guess if space is somewhat limited, the tainers will work better, especially if the soil is not great. I have about 1100-1300 sq. ft. of garden space (it is broken up into a few sections this year) and should have all the potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beans, cucumbers, basil and lettuce I need, and close to enough peas. Weeding isn't a problem - I have a rotary tiller that fits between the rows and all I do after tilling is pull dirt around the plants.

I have done more stuff than normal to improve the ground but that's because I what I have done over the years. I filled in what was a large pool area with clayish soil. This year, I had some very silty dirt I had dug up and I mixed it in with the clay and it seems to make a big difference. Plus, I sowed wheat last fall that I mowed but then tilled the roots under. That seems to be providing some benefit also.

Besides, what fun is gardening if one doesn't get dirty and sweaty doing it!!!

Mike

 

[Josh]

Josh


Josh, thanks for the tips, but the link doesn't work. Can you give me a few examples. Most of the mixes I use contain a wetting agent to retain water, but it seems a good soiless mix for the earthbox shouldn't contain a wetting agent at all. Also if you use miracle grow with ferts mixed in and a large strip of dry first on the top of the soil wouldn't that be too much fert initially and not enough a few months later?

Hmm...I don't know why the link didn't work for you. It just took a while to load for me but it did eventually go through. Anyway, if you can find it, try Pro-Mix BX or another type of pro-mix. From what I have read there are plenty of good soilless mixes out there but I only have had experience with MG and Pro-Mix. The MG will work just fine though and you should be able to find it at Home Depot. The pro-mix tends to be a little more difficult to find, but once you get your hands on it I am sure you will like it.
From what I have read, there does not seem to be a problem with the potting mix having fertilizer in it. The strip on top of the soil is put there to slowly provide nutrients. Aside from that I don't really have much more info. I believe it lasts the season because of the plastic that covers the top of the mix. It helps to keep the rain out and hold moisture in. Being that there is only bottom watering going on I don't think the fertilizer leaches down into the soil as rapidly. Not sure about that though.

 

[Silver_Surfer]

Thanks for the feedback from everyone. I guess if space is somewhat limited, the tainers will work better, especially if the soil is not great. I have about 1100-1300 sq. ft. of garden space (it is broken up into a few sections this year) and should have all the potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beans, cucumbers, basil and lettuce I need, and close to enough peas. Weeding isn't a problem - I have a rotary tiller that fits between the rows and all I do after tilling is pull dirt around the plants.

I have done more stuff than normal to improve the ground but that's because I what I have done over the years. I filled in what was a large pool area with clayish soil. This year, I had some very silty dirt I had dug up and I mixed it in with the clay and it seems to make a big difference. Plus, I sowed wheat last fall that I mowed but then tilled the roots under. That seems to be providing some benefit also.

Besides, what fun is gardening if one doesn't get dirty and sweaty doing it!!!

Mike

I have a rear tine tiller that I no longer use because I've found that using a tiller for weeding causes the need to weed more frequently and greatly increases the number of weeds as it brings more weed seed up into the germination zone. Using a hoe I just hit the weeds here and there as needed a few days after each rainfall. Planting a fall cover crop helps a lot toward weed control and soil building as well.

Getting dirty can't be avoided, but I try and avoid the sweat. All of my garden work is done between the hours of 5:30 and 7:30AM.

 

[LGHT]

Hmm...if you can find it, try Pro-Mix BX or another type of pro-mix. From what I have read there are plenty of good soilless mixes out there but I only have had experience with MG and Pro-Mix. The MG will work just fine though and you should be able to find it at Home Depot. The pro-mix tends to be a little more difficult to find, but once you get your hands on it I am sure you will like it.
From what I have read, there does not seem to be a problem with the potting mix having fertilizer in it. The strip on top of the soil is put there to slowly provide nutrients. Aside from that I don't really have much more info. I believe it lasts the season because of the plastic that covers the top of the mix. It helps to keep the rain out and hold moisture in. Being that there is only bottom watering going on I don't think the fertilizer leaches down into the soil as rapidly. Not sure about that though.

Ok got it. I know a place that sells the Pro-Mix so i'll have to give them a try! Thanks for all the help.

 

[Josh]

Ok got it. I know a place that sells the Pro-Mix so i'll have to give them a try! Thanks for all the help.

Oh no problem. It is nice to be able to help out for a change. Be sure to post pics when you get your container up and running.

 

[LUCKYDOG]

I saw where you had 6 plants in one container - How many plants has everyone planted I plan on making my own boxes from the plans at the Tomato fest site.

 

[LGHT]

I picked up 2 boxes last year and they both did great on my upper patio. I went with 2 plants and they where fine, but they did get a bit crowded after full grown since the box isn't really that deep. I was considering on buying more this year and just doing 1 plant per box, but I was also considering making my own using a much deeper container since the EB is not very deep.

If you do decide to build one can you post a few pics and some feedback? I was actually looking at some build your own boxes, but couldn't really find anything using a large enough container.

 

[LUCKYDOG]

have you used 5 gall buckets for singles? I'll have to talk to some sheetrocker friends if I dont go the tub route.

 

[LGHT]

Well I have 5 and 7 gallon pots that I use now, but the problem is getting water on the upper patio that's why I wanted to use the earth box to cut down on the amount of watering I have to lug upstairs. I was also considering putting a few on the roof since I have a flat section right in the middle that gets full sun most of the day.

 

[roper2008]

I used earthboxes for 1st time last year, and my peppers did great in them. I planted 4 peppers plants in most
of them, and 3 in some. If it's is a big pepper plant like the Quadrato Asti Giallo, I would only put 2 plants
in one earthbox.