I am Karen from Texas, and have been on DG for about a year, mostly in the Brugmansia and Texas forum. I discovered Earth Boxes by accident after seeing them on someone's Christmas wish list. I believe, I BELIEVE! I will be ordering some very soon and am so happy to discover a group here on Dave's that can answer alot of the questions I will have. The first one I have is........Does EB offer a discount for ordering more than one at the same time, as in maybe 5-8?
Hello all, Earth Box new convert!
Sometimes they have specials...I got mine when you got a discount for ordering by 5's. They had a special before christmas, but unfortunatley did not extend it.
I think they still give you a break with five? www.earthbox.com Best to buy w/o their mix as it makes shipping expensive. You can always buy Coco coir from Bocabob which is excellent and light. See our marketplace under coir.
This message was edited Jan 3, 2009 10:21 AM
Hello Karen.........Im originally from your part of Texas, over near Athens. We always stopped at a roadside artesian water well near Frankston to get a drink for ourselfs and for the radiator of my Dads old car. Im 76 now and all through my lifetime, I have made it a point to stop by that well when I was back in that part of the country. The last time was about 93 and the waterflow had really decreased a lot compared to the days of my childhood. I was just wondering if that artesian well was still running?
Hello Karen, I'm new too. Let's see what we can learn from these pros, huh? D inTN
Hey all! Thanks for the welcome! I just discovered Earth Boxes this week and am foaming at the bits to get a few!
TPlant, I was indeed thinking of just buying the $29.99 original set up without the potting mix, fertilizer and Dolamite, but I am scared I wouldn't be able to find the right fertilize and the dolamite? Can you use regular old Miricle Grow potting mix as well as the coco coir I've been reading about too? Does Home Depot or Lowe's sell the correct Dolamite?
Jaywhacker, an Athens boy! How nice to hear from someone who knows where I live!! Not many would as it's a mere bump in the road. I live very near downtown Frankston and the 4-way you would have passed through. Yes, that artesian well is still running just fine, and you can never pass it without someone being there filling up many jugs and buckets. It's still the best water you ever drank, LOL! In recent years, the highway has improved and rocked it in nicely and made it more pleasant to stop at, but I remember the years when you had to walk a short distance through the trees to get to it.
Darkmoon -- you can use coir (which I now prefer) or Miracle Gro, Jungle Grow or any quality container mix as long as it is not potting soil and dolomite is available at Home Depot in the Organic section in 5 lb bags.
TPlant: With my workers coming over this weekend and organizing my shed for me, I'm beginning to wish I had used only coconut coir, it sure wouldn't take up the room these bags of Jungle Growth and self-container garden mixes are going to take up. (groan).
joy112854
can you reuse the coconut coir for several years like you can the potting mix?
I change my potting mix every three or four years. Can't know about coco coir as it is new to me but I would say it would last as long and maybe even longer? I'll let you know in three or four years as I'll be using it regularly as it is much easier to work with.
My research shows coconut coir breaks down very, very slowly. That's great for us who use it. I should outlast peat based mixes by twice. There are mountains of it in Sri Lanka and India that have been there for 100 years. Weird stuff, a natural earthy product that takes years to break down. Time will tell though because I'm only in my second year using it.
BocaBob
Boca Bob: Didn't someone say that they reused it and it outlasted their own mix, I can't find the post, but someone had decided to go strictly coconut coir for that reason, their own mixed wound up being slimy after a certain amount of years but the coconut coir was still fine. Doesn't 2 blocks of coconut coir plant 3 EBs with left overs? I know the dimensions of the coconut coir itself are not that big before wetting it and expanding it, which is a plus for people like me, my shed is going to be crowded with gardening supplies and mixes, as I buy before Spring to prevent my last minute shopping. Those 3 cu ft bags of Jungle Growth and the self-contained watering mixes take up a lot of space, which I am short on, and with the 3 cu ft bag of Jungle Growth costing now $11.95 I'm beginning to think coconut coir also.
joy112854
Yes 2 blocks fill 3 EB's with spare. I can't remember where that post was either, mbut I believe it
BocaBob
Regarding the lost post about slimy growing medium, I think the slimy was in reference to the vermiculite used in the home blend grow medium.
tplant and BocoBob, are you mixing any Perlite with your coir in the 5-gal grow bags. Reason I ask is because I thought I saw Perlite in one of BocoBob's latest tomato photos on another thread.
Jerry
Joy.........Im the slimy character who commented about a slimy gro mix after about 3 years of use. This was the grow mix that was supplied with my EZgro vertical pole growing system. It was about 80% horticulture (course) perlite and 20% vermiculite. It is still a good mix that I am still growing in but when I dump the pots and clean out roots and repot, the mix has a sort of slick feel and the vermiculite visually has disappeared. I have read that vermiculite would disintegrate over time and that appears to be what happened. The mix is still good because it is predominantly perlite whick seems to last forever. From now on, I am going to flush that mix with lots of water the next time I dump the pots and I intend to then add about 20% coir.
As for my experience with peat....... all my pots with a predominantly peat mixture......like miracle gro and other brands........have tended to pack down over our long growing season. The second and third years it held more water and when the pots were dumped, there was a finer grained layer at the bottom of the pot that was wetter than the rest of the mix in the pots. It still works as a grow mix but plants do not seem to do as well in that mix in its 2nd and 3rd years.
Abut 4 to 5 years ago, after moving here to central Texas, I started trying to garden again in both ground beds and containers, I bought lots of bags of stuff normally labeled "Landscape"mix. I live on a ridge top where the ground is almost solid rocks so built up beds are a must. That landscape mix varied quite a bit from bag to bag sold by the same company and quite a bit between different companies. It consists basiclly of course pine bark and small wood slivers, dirt, and course sand. I built up my roadside flower beds with that stuff and it did well enough, didnt seem to pack down the first year, but since then I have added some composted bark mix, bagged humus, and cow poo to those beds. They are still doing good and fluffy enough so that I can dig in them with my hands but they do require additional fertilizer every year.
That landscape mix in containers worked reasonably well the first year but not all plants(flowers) did well. When I dumped the pots, I found that bottom 1 to 2 inches of a one gallon pot was filled with packed dirt. What dirt there was in that mix, including the course sand, had washed down through the courser bark mix and packed into the bottom of the pot. Thats not good and it showed in inconsistent results with the plants grown in those pots. Most of that landscape mix I used at that time was the "Earths Finest" brand sold by Lowes in this area. I decided that stuff was good in ground beds but less than desirable in containers.
In the limited amount of gardening I had done in previous years, I had nice garden soil available and dirt gardened. Container gardening was new to me and coming from a long line of dirt poor red neck share cropper dirt farmers, dirt was in my blood. It has been painful to remove the dirt from my gardening life but I have got much better results as I removed the dirt from the grow mix. There is one lanscape mix brand that I have found to be better than anything else I can buy in this area though and that is labeled "Landscapers Pride." Its composted bark mix is great for ground beds and almost acceptable for one year of container growing. And they have another mix that is just finely ground pine bark that makes a good container mix, especially when mixed with coir or peat.
I haven't thrown away my container mixes for the past few years. I re-furbish it every year. I have screened quite a bit of it to remove larger wood splinters and bark chunks that came in the "Earth's Finest" landscape mix and each year added some composted stuff and some peat and perlite. Each year I have dumped the pots in a 4x6 ft by 3 ft high mixiing bed, removed all root and plant stuff for the compost pile, added some peat and perlite and pronounced it good to go again. And the last couple of years, I have got real scientific and added some bags of "humus" and quite a bit of that finely ground pine bark from "Landscapers Pride". Oh,, and also a couple three bags of composted bark mix from landscapers pride. Then I poke it, punch it, sniff it, and run it through my fingers and pronounce it good to go for another year. Aint science wonderful. hehehe. I know some of you professional gardeners are saying, "Geezz, this guy is nuts!" but what the heck, it works for me. There is still some dirt in that mix but not much and not enough to flush down and pack in the bottom of my containers.
I dont know how many more years I can nurse that grow mix along but I intend to keep it going while I slowly switch over to coir/perlite mix exclusively. One thing for sure, anything I have put that much labor and money into wont be thrown away, I will just have to create some more on the ground beds to retire it to.
Karen..........Thanks for the update on the old artesian water well there at Frankston. That brings back memories of my childhood which began exactly May 29, 1932. I wasn't feeling old untill someone recently mentioned that I was born in the first half of the last century. Geez! Wish they had not said it that way.
Jerry, I have a few grow bags with coir and perlite as a test, yes.
BocaBob
Jaywhacker: I used Aces' Jolly Gardener soil in my beds and used Jolly Gardener's potting soil for my daffodils; but use MG potting mix for everything in containers; except my EB types and then I have always used Jungle Growth for containers and I have lately been mixing in some perlite with the MG. I am doing soil amendments to all my flower beds just before Spring and dividing up my Canna rhizomes then and then roto tilling the admendments into the beds; then, topping that off with a mulch cover that I will then place X's where I want to put my cannas down and do just that.
I did buy some growing bags from Parks seed, I bought two sets, one of each type, which don't come with any medium. They picture them growing strawberries; but was thinking that coconut coir would be great in them and planting beans and peas in them or cukes for pickles or even cherry tomatoes in some. I'm also going to use coconut coir in some of my EBs and in some of my topsy turvy types and definately in my hanging baskets. The reason is this, it is supposed to be lighter than any other medium, is this true Bob? Because if it is, that will be a plus.
I have a habit of planning what I want in my garden first, then buying what I think I'll need. I already have bought some Jungle Growth and Gardeners' Supply self-container mix, but now I need more. Being that I have it all in the family room right now, and am going to be organizing the shed to put it all in, I think having the coconut coir would be nice for two reasons off the top of my head. One, it would not take up much needed space, and two, it would be easier to carry out a block or two of the coir than a huge bag of Jungle Growth come Spring.
I find one plus is this, Bob said that since the PH is what it is in the coir, I can get away with not adding dolomite lime to the EBs I use coconut coir in, thus saving me from having to buy more dolomite lime come planting season. Since some of my seeds are going to be planted in coconut coir, they should make the transfer to coconut coir EBs much easier I would think, or not suffer much transplant shock.
Just my opinion though. And if it lasts a long time great. (Cause I'm making some HEBs and buying some EBs here shortly to add to my 5 EBs, 6 GPs, 2 square footers, 8 grow bags, 2 topsy turvys, 4 revolutionary planters and who knows how many HEBs right?), it will save me moola in the long run if it outlasts the Jungle Growth.
Actually, I'm probably going to be quite busy this Spring (smiles) and intend taking pics to show everyone of my plans and the progress with those plans. Spring hurry and get here will ya?
joy112854
Joy.........I do a lot of lurking on the forums and reading about gardening and I have tried a lot of experiments over the years. Some of the things I have tried leaves me wondering if its something I read about or if I got messed up in my mind and dreamed it up. My methods may be sort of monkey see, monkey do, on lots of things. Tapla's posts on this forum has been a lot of help in getting me to get the dirt out of containers. I dont have access to large amounts of good compost to use as container mix, at least not compost that I would trust. I know lots of folks here on the forum have good luck with compost in containers but since I dont have a good source, I have slowly tended toward soilless grow mix. The first coir I used came as part of a purchase of twenty verti-gro pots about 3 years ago. Then I ordered some more to try in nursery containers and over a period of time, it has become my mix of choice. But I probably will always add some amount of perlite to the coir. How much perlite to add? I dont know yet, still experimenting, it may vary dependiing on what I am growing in it. At times, I will easily have over 100 containers going, mostly flowers and some vegetables. I have come to appreciate a mix that I can water at least once a day (twice with some plants like tomato's) without waterlogging the plants. My plan is eventually to have various types of plants growing in one type of mix being watered automatically while I sit on the porch and watch them grow. I have found that plants that are advertised as preferably growing in dry conditions still do well in a fast draining mix watered daily.
Looks like you have lots of toys to play with this coming summer. Happy gardening!
Jaywhacker: Yes, I have lots going on this Spring/Summer and you aren't a slimy character I just know. LOL
Here is what I got going on in the front this Spring/Summer: I will be planting two trees for shade, the Royal Empress and a Musckagee Crape Myrtle. Under those trees, will go about 100 Enchinacea plants and about just as many of Shasta Daisies (a variety of them). Round the house and deck I have 80 canna lilies, 15 more on the way this Spring, and 2 of the 3 growing in the back room will be there also. On the deck, as I'm hoping to get my deck rail planter holders up, I will have a variety (80 of them in all) of daffodils.
Now round back, I will have 6 GPs, 5 EBs, 1 Bloom master, 1 homemade Bloom master, 8 hanging grow bags, 2 topsy turvys, 4 revolutionary planters, 2 square footers and am thinking about 5 more EBS and some HEBs. I have two 4 armed planter stands that will hold the 2 topsys, 4 revolutionarys and the bloommaster and the Homemade bloommaster. The EBs, square footers and GPs will all go on a picnic bench, table and pallots, after lining all with black garbage bags torn up. Haven't quite figured out where I'll hang the 8 growin bags; or what I'm going to plant in them; but, will have that worked out before the time comes and will have two blueberry plants also.
I am anxious for the trees as they are supposed to be fast growing shade trees, both have lilac flowers. I should have some beautiful color in both yards so get ready for Spring pics. LOL
joy112854
did you see there was a canna co-op as well
Garden Glory: I gotta forbid myself from the cannas. I got this urge to buy, buy, buy and I already got 80 with 15 more preordered for Spring, and 3 in the back room. I do want to get the austrailian one though it's gorgeous; but can wait til later on to get that one. What kind are you looking for any particular one?
joy112854
Well I too, need to shut my eyes and my pocketbook. They just semed so pretty and a good price. I just dont have that much sun, and with the EB's and about 300 daylily seedlings that need a sunny home. I just have to stop myself. I am ordering from the caladium co-op tho. Shade is something I have a ton of. I get some every year. Good deal,,,good price...nice people. I also am getting some pepper seeds. Im sure I could order them myself...but I just love a good co-op with nice people. You get some good stuff too...at a good price. OOOOOOOOOOOOO when the calla co-op comes...OOOOOOOOOO im going to have to turn off the computer...just after I order some more yellow ones. ;-x
Joy, have you ever seen a Princess tree in bloom? They are beautiful.
Gardenglory, you and Joy live in such lovely areas to garden. I would be jealous of all the Caladiums, except we have lots of hostas to take care of our shade, a couple of them smell like Easter lilies. D
Are you kidding, your in a great place. My parents had a house at a place called wolf laurel...loved it. As you know...a few year back...they built the raod connecting it to you guys. Used to go up and pick wild blueberries on bald mountain. Fun
Yes, Wolf Laurel is beautiful and a good ski area if your joints can still handle it. Mine can't. I guess I am just envious of the longer garden seasons you have. I am counting days til our last frost date and trying to figure what cool weather crops to put in my sq ft.
Devota: I've thought about moving many times to Tennessee girl, at least in some parts of Tennessee it's still country. Everyone in the US wants to move to Florida and Florida is too crowded for me. LOL I've seen pics of the Royal Empress in bloom and pics of the Muskogee Crape Myrtle, both are lavender and both bloom for a long period of time. I hope it's not too much lavender in my yard is all. LOL I'm going to plant about 100 of those huge coneflowers and about 100 shasta daisies underneath them too. I should have a yard full of butterflies, bees and birds, hopefully. Some of those birds can come eat those leaf rollers when they show up on the cannas in my canna beds this Spring. LOL Will probably lower my electric bill too as it will keep the yard cooler I hope also. I was reading where you could chop the Empress Tree down and it would grow right back, really easy to take care of I hear. It's wood is valuable and it has lots of medicinal properties too. I hear that it really puts out the oxygen also.
joy112854
Mmmm, can't wait for pictures. That will be beautiful. Can one have too much lavender?
It is true there is still lots of country here but progress and housing needs are taking over. Our house is in a "country subdivision." There is a barn and horses across my back fence so I get the "sense" of country.
Our lot is 110x110 so the gardening space is small. My DH has the front for his all important lawn. If I had decent soil and my own way there would be flowers and shrubs instead of lawn but we made a deal when we moved here; the side and back are mine and the larger area in front of course is his. He loves his grass and it looks like all the neighbor's grass so that is okay with me.
In a narrow, hillside backyard I have a koi pond and a cottage garden and now in the side yard which is the sunniest place a soon to be EB/HEB garden surrounding a 4x6 sq footer.
I realize I sound whiney. I'm old. I can whine now and then. [smile. ]I love the area and the temperate climate. It is just that it's winter and it seems right now that Florida is a paradise of continual gardening and I have to wait... whine.
Devota: Sometimes I wish I had less house and more land myself. I got a 4 bedroom/2 bath double wide mobile home with a family room and living room on an acre; but, with the house being 2,064 square feet it cuts down on the property size you got left over to play with. I bought a shed that I had put on the property, it's a nice size one, and would be great for all my gardening supplies, right now, they are all in the family room, sitting on a regulation pool table that never gets played. LOL I have kind of decided to put the flowers up front in the front yard and the veggies and fruits around back behind the 6 foot privacy wooden fence I have. I had that thing built so close to the ground you can't open the gates on either side now, unless the grass is well mowed. But, I can access it through the back door. LOL The shed is behind the gate also, which makes it safe. The people that have moved into this area are living on 1/4th acre lots. I had moved here, to be in the country, and 6 months later, up go 600 houses. There is 3 lots to my right though that are nothing but shrubs and then across from me is woods, so, I'm content with that.
joy112854
I am in Central Texas and am beginning a new landscape at a new house. I am going to do raised beds, granite pathways & containers for starters. where is everyone buying the coir that you are using for containers?we have a home depot here but not much else.
Hello Girla! I found the coconut coir at my local Ace Hardware Garden Center or you can order it from BocaBob here (leetomkatebob) at the Marketplace.
Hey Karen, Is what you bought the "Mulch Block" I saw on their Web site? If it is, did you open and hydrate it yet? I have a sample of Coco Coir Mulch that I got from my importer and it was very, very course (like mulch for around your bushes) (not for growing vegetables in containers)
BocaBob
Bob you may darn well be right....I just don't remember the packaging front. I will look next time I go. I didn't buy any as I have plenty from you right now, I was just excited that it was the same size block and $9.95. I'll be sure and let you know. And if it isn't I'll be just as happy to keep ordering the right stuff from you ☺
Just checking cause if it's like the mulch sample I have, you will be disappointed.
BocaBob
Hi, Karen! Welcome to the self-contained box garden cult. Just kidding. You'll love it here.
Annapet
Boca Bob: I had bought some pellets that were supposed to be coconut coir pellets once and they didn't do so hot; so, I'm gonna order my coconut coir exclusively from you if you don't mind. I am finding out that some things aren't what they are said to be. They are the huge 2 1/2inch ones, I have half a plastic bag full, so will try and remember to bring some with me so you can inspect them ok? I suspect it is mixed with peat.
joy112854
Accept no substitutions! LOL BocaBobs Coco Coir is the real thing
Boca Bob: I'm still gonna show you these so called coconut coir pellets. LOL Then maybe we can figure out what some people are calling coconut coir which isn't we shall see right?
joy112854
Right
FWI there are different kinds of coir out there and some of it is hard to hydrate. I got some coco "peat" from a local source before I heard about BocaBob's. The first coco I got locally was a 5 kg (10 lbs) block of compressed coco peat, not coir. It was coarse, had lots of fiber, needed an axe to chop up, and lots of hand massaging to get hydrated. I used it as a soil amendment in a raised bed, so it worked out OK. But for everything else, especially in growing bags and self-watering containers, you want to get a fine mesh grade of compressed coco coir "dust" like BocaBob's, absolutely the best.