Vertical "self contained" gardens.

Devota,,,,,,,,,,on the ezgro site, you select "store" and can buy the pots for $5.95 each plus freight. Here 'tis.....................................http://www.theezgro.com/the.store.

As for the stack and grow.........dont order direct from the manufacturer as there seems to be something screwy about what they charge for freight. I just bought one from one of their distributors, for $38.95 plus $13 shipping. I can supply you that info if you are interested. I haven't tried the stack and grow system yet........will let you know what I think of it as soon as it gets here.

Jay

That article from Erik Biksa really tells it all about coconut coir. Great info.

BocaBob

Hey all...I got a response from the mfgr anout working a discount on a coop. That is not something that I would be able to coordinate , though. I am not organized enough, nor do I have the space + no printer (shipping labels).
Anybody out there that wants to follow up and maybe do a co-op on these panters. I would deffinately purchase a few, expecially with a discount.
Any interest in following up on this? I will also mention it to some of my co-op forum friends to fish for any interest there.

Birdie

Jaywhacker! That's it! I am thinking about using this system instead of a gutter system I have in mind. hmmm... Thanks.

BirdieBlue, which one are you talking about?

Here is the letter that I got from "Stack-n-Grow" in return to my inquiry:
Hi Sheri,
Thank you for your inquiry. We would be happy to try to work something our for your Co-op. Please let me know what you have in mind and the Stack and Grow team will work quickly to put something together.

We have had other gardening clubs that have ordered large quantities and therefore received discounts or we have given web coupons that offer a specific discount upon check-out on our website.

Please respond with what you had in mind and we will get back to you quickly.

I hope all is well.

Regards,

Will Bowen
Stack and Grow
801-710-8931

BocaBob and Jaywhacker:
After I put an EzGro together like Jaywhacker's and set up a drip system, will Miracle Grow be sufficient or must I buy EzGro's nutrient supply?

You do not have to use the EZgro fertilizer, although I can attest to the fact that it is really good stuff. You can use any kind of soluable fertilizer, BocaBobs, MiracleGro, etc. This last year, I just added a little bit of slow release fertilizer to the grow mix in the pots before planting in them and then used a soluable fertilizer every few days and it worked OK. In other words.........you can treat it like any other container plant. Bob's method of watering at least once a day with diluted soluable fertilizer is by far the best system though and his experience can be a guideline for the rest of us since he is growing in all different kinds of container systems. I dont really know the chemical difference between Miracle Gro and the so called "hydroponic" type fertilizers. I know some brands have more of the minor elements than others but I dont have experience with any of them except miracle gro and EZgro and Vertigro. My personal opinion is that formula's such as EZgro or BocaBobs result in faster and better growth than Miracle Gro. That is not a scientific opinion, just my usual by guess and by gosh method of forming an opinion. Take it with a grain of soluable fertilize.

Thanks again, Jaywhacker. You are a big ole help! Devota

So Guys....whatcha think about the "Stack and Grow response to me?
{{{{{{ We Can get a discount......I'm checking about interest?? }}}}}}

I would be interested if enough were. Problem here Birdie is that the shipping costs are SO high. I am thinking of getting 6 of the EzGro pots and some fertilizer. The shipping would be 42 bucks. Arragaghh! Devota

Well, Jaywhacker, I ordered just the pots 6 for 29. plus and the shipping was 18. plus. I'm glad I did because it may get here in time to put together a strawberry bed. I will attempt to make mine like yours. I think I will forget the system I posted January 16. Too much trouble in the end because I would not be able to salvage the strawberry plants I envisioned. With the stacked system I can simply take them down at the end of the season and over winter them in a mulch bed. I am still pondering the best fert but there is time I hope. Anyone else's imput soo welcome. Devota

OK, Devota..........If you are not in the woodworking mood, just stob them suckers in the ground. Go to the EZgro website and click up their installation manual. My ground is so rocky I cant drive 1/2 inch electrical conduit into the ground but if you can do that, installation is simple. If you havent looked at their installation manual, check it out for some ideas.

I did look at the instructions. That is what convinced me along with your post to give it a try.
Think you need a itty bitty jack hammer there Jay.

Devota: UHoh, Jay with a jackhammer, I see lots of ideas coming now. LOL
joy112854

Run!

Com'on Jay, If you throw enough money at something you can get anything you want. (smiling)

Jerry

Jerry, way to go.

Its a problem here in the hill country. The contractor who built my 6 foot tall privacy fence showed up with a heavy duty piece of machinery with a 12 inch augur on the front of it. He tried 3 places and the augur bit would hit solid limestone rock and just sit there and grind, creating nothing but pulverized limestone dust and going nowhere. He had to go rent a big compressor and a man operated jackhammer with a 3 inch bit. It took him almost 3 days to hammer the post holes for the fence. I felt so sorry for him, I would carry him a coke now and then. He was solid rock dust from head to toe. He would say, "Remind me again, how much did I bid this job for?"

"$5000 bucks." I would answer, and watch the tears creating mud as they rolled down his cheeks. "A deal is a deal," I would remind him and try to cheer him up by adding, "What the heck, I will throw the cokes in for free."

Tall tale? hmmm?

Thank goodness for container gardening !!!!!! Devota, It seems not all water soluble fertilizers are created equal even though they may all work to some degree. What I do know is that mine contains ALL the nutrients major and minor for plant growth (superior plant growth). I ran short on my fert (it's on order 50#) and bought a box of Miracle Gro. It's missing so many nutrients I'll never buy it again (especially container growing). You might be happy with a fert like Miracle Gro, but if you could compare results like I'm doing (I love experimenting), the difference is remarkable.

BocaBob

Bob: Wait til you hear what my tomato and pepper babies are going to get. Gourmet all the way. I got sea magic and Miracle Grow for tomatoes. They will get that while they are growing up strong. For my canna lily beds, I've decided on mixing in the beds 1/3 rd compost, 1/3rd spaghum peat moss and then topping off with compost tea.

I am planting beans and peas, so one night when I go to bed, if I wake up and see Jack's beanstalk, we'll know what happened right? LOL
joy112854

I've got some Sea Magic too. Great stuff !!

Bob

Bob, glad for the input. That is why we ask these questions. So when will your fert be available? I only want the best for my edible babies.

By the end of the week. Thanks for asking. Just remember it is a water soluble type, not really suitable of EarthBox use.

BocaBob

Bob............have you tried your ferts in the earthboxes? Maybe not put any fertilizer in the grow mix like they recommend and then water the box with your soluable fertilizer in the bottom of the box?

Bob, I know that the fert is for the Hydros. Thanks

Jay

I have 8 Earthboxes that I do just that. (breaking the rules) I top spray with Aqua Turret Spray Spikes like my grow bags. I don't use the fertilizer strip or plastic mulch. On 4 I follow the EB rules to a "T" I must say the results are wonderful both ways.

Bob

Bob: I was going to suggest that also, as I will probably add some seaweed mixture to the reservoir on mine this Spring/Summer. Dont' know if we don't try right?
joy112854

So the plan is to mix the fertilizer (Bob's) then add it to the water reservoir? What proportions should I be mixing and how much do I add, and how often do I add it?

Ya'll ain't leaving me outta this science experiment.

GymGirl: Oh a smidgen there and a smidgen here. LOL I don't have any idea on Bob's but the way I figure it is by how many plants I got in the EB. Which if you know how many of that plant you would plant in square feet, then it should just be an arithmetic thing right? Just my guess is all.
joy112854

Ok smidgen girl. The correct formula for my fertilizer is 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water for seedlings and young plants, 1 teaspoon per gallon of water for growing and mature plants. Aslo add to each gallon of water 1/4 teaspoon of epsom salt.

BocaBob

Bob: I was teasing her of course. LOL I bought some compost tea for my Canna lilies, won't they be spoiled this Spring and Summer, I'm getting so excited as time passes.
joy112854

I know you were

Bob: Still waiting for someone to tell me how much water do I use to soak these bio sponges in? I have 40 of them to soak.
joy112854

I just read this thread. Yes, I was attacked by a stob when I was 6 and had to have a sideview of my first grade school picture. Of course, that was AFTER I chewed a whole 5 piece pack of Bazooka Bubble Gum and went to bed with it in my mouth. Woke up stuck to the sheets and my mom cut my hair off above my ears because of all that gum. Yeah, I had a rough childhood, never did like stobs much after that, but I'd still be willing to use them in my garden.

Pugzley.........you have indeed lead a rough life. Between them stobs and the bubble gum, it is a wonder you survived. Stobs are a necessity of life........but like alcohol and guns, they shoud be handled with care. My greatest fear is that some kneejerk polititian is going to try and ban all stobs. Think of that!! Life without stobs.....Gezzzzz!! By the way, tripping on a stob and then being able to fall face down on that same stob speaks well for your atheletic and gymnastic abilities. You should's bin in the Ohlimpiks.

I stab my stobs down far as they kin go boys so I won't never have the misfortune of gettin ma face stob stabbed.

Well, there were 2 stobs. One I tripped over and one that jumped right out of the ground and got me in the face. When using stobs in my garden, I get stob revenge by pounding their heads real hard with my ballpeen hammer. How's that for some southern payback?

Edit: Oh, no. Even though I've had a bad history with the stobs, I'll march hand in hand with ya to keep them from banning the stobs. Freedom of stobs in in the Bill of Rights. I forgot which amendement tho.

This message was edited Jan 28, 2009 4:04 PM

Pugzley
If you know some that can weld they could make you stob driver. Its a piece of pipe large enough to fit over stob. Weld a plug on one end. You can purchase them to drive steel fence post. Any farm store I think
Safer than that ballpeen hammer. Easier on you hands .Hammers are hard on body parts.!!!
Just trying to keep you all gardening. Hard to plant when your thumb is all swollen..

~Terry