Proof that Santa Claus is a gardener

...after all, look what he brought me!

Jeannie: You are the spoiled lil brat. LOL Last night while everyone had sugar plums dancing in their heads, I was dreaming about giant earth boxes the size of an above ground garden. Can you imagine that one, of course, that was after reading the threads on how to make your own self contained boxes, what's wrong with a self contained garden hey? LOL Ok, all you eninsteins get to work, figure it out, how do we do this one and what are we gonna use right?
joy112854

Jeannie63 -- Welcome to the real EB group. You will have many years of rewarding gardening with minium effort. If you need any help with set-up just ask us as that is the secret of success. Your planting mix is vital so don't skimp on it. It is from that where you will obtain best results. I tried Bocobobs coco coir and it is excellent. I've been converted from Jungle Growth.

The Ebs are exciting enough, but the staking system, thats what I would love. Just used two tomato stakes and some of that netting for some snow peas, this morning. It might hold peas, but it isnt going to hold anything else. Great santa gift, the kind that keeps on giving!!!

Being in Wisconsin, I have a few months to do some research. I had already planned on using the coco coir, that is why 'santa' brought me the kits without the potting mix and fertilizer.

I am hoping to grow peas, beans, tomatoes, spinach, and carrots. I got seeds for some stubby carrots that are only supposed to get 3" - 4" long. Has anyone tried carrots in an EB? I was thinking that the stubbies might work??

I have been lurking on this forum for quite some time! You all are a wealth of knowledge :)

It held my tomatos. It is stronger than it looks.

Im growing beets and radishis right now and they are working, im sure the arrots would too, The hardest part will be to thin them down and still make enough holes in the top.

I am going to grow corn in mine for the first time this year. More tomatoes...more everything, trying to get organized to make that happen.

Growing in coir myself

Ah.. - may have to think about how I cut the holes for the carrots. I understand the issue now!

TPlant: I might switch to coir on all mine too, as the big bag of Jungle Growth is $11.95 now, ouch.
joy112854

Heck year, I just ordered 10 more blocks from bob, he is checking on the shipping, but that is half the price of the JG. Even with shipping I will probably save a few bucks, we will see, but even if I break even and can handle it so easily and dont have to go lug it from lowes, its a great thing. I have a block puffing up as we speak.

For carrots, might I suggest you plant them in a row in your EB, but do not cover them until they surface. Then, thin them out, and make a slit down the entire side of the cover. Position over the emerging seedlings and then use some duct tape to close the slit as necessary...

Linda.

P.S. WOW! Santa Baby!

whatever you do, dont slit it when its not on the box, like I did. Even duct tape coudnt make that a real EB again.

I thought boca bob was growing carrots, umm. will have to go scan pictures

Thanks, Linda. That sounds like a good idea. And thanks for the tip gardenglory!

Jeannie63,
Yeah, what gardenglory said! Put the cover on the box first then cut your slit over the seedlings!!!

Yea, I messed it up royally the first time. Of course now, I keep a stash of the covers anyway.

Just moved the pea EB again, and gave it a little climbing fence, now if we just dont have a hard freeze. Actually, I think I might start planning ahead for that, its inevitable

I just finished putting in an order. I srpung for the seed tape in hopes it would alleviate some of the problem of thinning in the EB and the holes.

Hi everybody, here's a pic of carrots in a EB and bucket grower. I didn't cover the EB though as a experiment. I also didn't thin the carrots good enough.

BocaBob

Go Coco Coir !!

Thanks BocaBob! Did you use regular size carrots in the EB? Curious how they turned out.

Jeannie63- There are a short variety (forgot which one) and are still growing, The probably will be ready in a month. I top spray water and feed them.

Bob: Can they breathe ok? They look awful bushy? Let me know how carrots do will you?
I have some 200 sweetness II carrot seeds, now see why I need more EBs?
joy112854

Joy I know I didn't thin them out enough, but I'm hoping they will be able to spread out enough in the coco coir to be ok.

BocaBob

Bob: I'm still looking for some sort of fan for my seed startings to have to grow them with. I'm also looking for that bucket you said you picked up really cheap for putting your coconut coir blocks in to wet them down in?
joy112854

joy,

the bucket was a cement mixing tub I bought a HD for about $6.00 in the cement area of the store. Perfect size to hydrate a whole block of coco coir

BocaBob

I actually call them....if its the sme thing...a keg tub. Hazard of living in g'ville ;-x. If its the same thing, it has little rope handles on the sides. I have seen them at wal mart..any mart actually. HD as Bob says. Fits a block perfectly with a little room to dip your pot in or fluff or whatever, without spilling it all out.

Garden Glory: Walmart and Lowes is what we have close to me HD is clean the way in Destin a good hour from here. So; where do I look in Walmart or Lowes for one and how much does it run? I will need at least one for this Spring/Summer for my blocks of coconut coir. LOL
joy112854

Ususally they are where they have the big rubbermaid type containers. At HD were randomly just sitting there, sounds like bobs came from a totally different departmet. I cant find my camera or I would just take a shot. They are usually red or blue, at least the ones I have seen, and like I say, they are just a big plastic tub with handles. Im sure lowes would have them, well im not sure of anything....different areas and all. I have seen them at both of your choices tho.

I was just thinking about you when I was over at the parks dollar store. I know your going with the coir seed starting set up, but if you change your mind to the sponges...they have the 120 count for 13 bucks...and thats with the dome. I dont need the dome but its a steal for the block with the sponges and the TRAY to float them in. If you buy 2 or more...free shipping, as that would be over 25$. They have been back ordered, but I hope they are in now.

I got the complete Bio sponge thingy ordered myself from Park's, but they are on backorder, the woman said they would probably get them in in January, I hope so.
joy112854