Well I did it. I bought an Earth Box yesterday in a store. I was looking for a lemon tree, ended up buying an orange tree, and low and behold they had factory Earth Boxes. I know I am crazy but I bought one even though I have made five myself. Thought I would see who has the best my 50 something dollar factory one or my 7.95 homemade one. Three of my homemade ones in the greenhouse already have tomato plants about a foot tall and looking good. Have not planted anything in my other two. Can't decide what to grow. I have several different varieties of plants started but am waiting for good weather. Been raining like crazy here but you won't hear me complain.
Feed Your Faith and Doubt Will Starve To Death
Earth Box
Whitewidower- I have 8 factory Earth Boxes.and 6 homemade ones, and I'l be darned if the results from the factory ones are any better than the real thing. I have 2 homemade ones with 4 foot corn stalks in them and the tassles a popping out.
BocaBob
Sorry, I meant the results are not any better in the real Earthbox compared to the homemade ones
You call it factory made I call it store bought. You ever smoke? I did long ago and when someone wanted to bum a cigrette they would ask if I had a ready rool which ment one in a package not a prince albert or bull durm.
Just a little bit of history
smoked for 35 years. Quit 5 years ago after my heart attack. Feel great now!!!
Can you explain the concept of Earth Boxes? Thanks!
You have something that looks like a normal plastic planter. there are no drain holes in the bottom. The sealed bottom is the water reservoir. Then there is a grate that separates the potting mix(not soil) from the water. Also helps with aeration of the roots. There are two areas on the bottom that hold soil acting like a wick to draw water up through the soil. A strip of granular fertilizer is placed on top of the potting mix. Then there is a plastic fitted cover that stretches over the whole top. There is also a plastic pipe that goes vertically to the water as a fill pipe. You slit the plastic mulch as they call it, plant your seeds or plants, and all you do is water it until harvest. The concept is perfect(especially for southern Florida) because the moisture stay constant all the time. That seems to be for me the most important part because you can't over water it or have dry spells unless you let the reservoir run dry. Also the fertilizer is drawn down to the roots as they need the nourishment. So feeding is automatic for the whole growing cycle.
I can't praise the product enough. Until I found it I had failure in my garden year after year
BocaBob
terichris --- You can also check it at www.earthbox.com for a visual description. I have twenty-two of them and really enjoy my results.
To check the water level of the container, insert piece of clear 1/4" plastic tubing down the fill pipe until it touches the bottom. Place your finger over the top of the tube so no air can get in. Withdraw the tube and the water level will indicate the amount of water in the container.