EB experts ahoy! I tried Earthboxes (both original and homemade) for the first time this year with generally good results, but now frost is imminent. I have just un-planted them, drained the water and removed the remains of the fertilizer strip. Can I leave them outside for the winter without damage (covered with plastic)? I would prefer not to have to store them in my crowded garage. The planting mix seems to be somewhat compacted. I suppose next spring I should loosen it up and add more to replace that which came out with the roots.
Winterizing EB's
Don, I would really like to have an answer to this question, too. I've got 12 EBs sitting outside, and I would much rather not have to find a place for them in my garage. I wonder how sturdy the plastic is, and how much winter temps it can survive. . . anyone have experience with this?
Emily:
I also asked this on the Tomato forum, since they originally clued me in on EB's, and the consensus there was that you just emptied the water and covered them for the winter.
Thanks, Don, for following through and obtaining an answer. By "cover" them, I am assuming that the tomato-folks mean putting a tarp over them, or something? (not using that little plastic shower-cap thingy that you cover the dirt with while growing in it.)
Yep. Another suggestion was just to turn the box over.
Don, I'm going to try just turning the boxes over--I have 13 and they do mount up. Regarding re-using the soil--there is an EarthBox "replant kit" available on Amazon.com and elsewhere. It includes a packet of fertilizer, dolomitic lime, and two of those shower-cap thingies.
I myself took the soil out and scattered it in my garden, but I don't see why you couldn't use it again, once the roots are removed. It was interesting to see how many roots developed around the grid!!
I'd have to check, but I think the "official" EB instructions say you can use the planting mix several times (maybe even 5..??), as long as you scoop off the top layer of mix and put in a new fertilizer strip. But I think that also assumes you're using a soil-less mix rather than potting soil.
This is my first year with an EB and I had great tomatoes. Now i still have lettuce and it's doing great.
jo