Homemade earth box in SC

I have experimented with HEB for 2 years. Despite the fact that we have the possibility of frost through Easter weekend I decided on March 8 to put 2 tomato plants in the one box I have (I can't find coco coir around here) that was filled with a regular potting MIX . They survived the past 2 nights of near freezing temps !! Look at the growth, I'm having to trim blossoms already!

Everybody on here seems to be into containers in so much more than I am but it is a thrill to read the reports. I just hope I can get hold of coir, it's sounds so interesting to work with.

What a beautiful box of toms you have there, gessieviolet. We've had to nights of freeze here and I think it is over for now. Do you cover when you get a freeze warning? I am looking forward to having my baby toms grow up big and strong and beautiful like yours. Devota up here in TN

Devota, I used an opaque storage box as a shield.
Worked great.

That is good to know. Wish I'd thought of it.

The opaque storage box would have created a small green house for the container. That seems like a convenient way to shield them. We wrap with frost blankets since we have them on hand.

Gessieviolet,
Those tomato plants look GREAT! I've not seen very many 'maters looking so healthy at that size. Way to go!

Now, tell me more about the opaque storage box shield for the cold. Did you just turn it over onto the HEB and weigh it down with a frost blanket? I considered doing that this past 2 nights, using an extra EB that's not filled yet. Never got to it, and let the 'maters fend for themselves. Thank God, the temps only went down as far as 38 degrees (pushing it a bit past the 40 degree safe zone!).

But, I checked yesterday and they were all doing fine. Even the smaller seedlings didn't seem worse for wear!

Thanks for sharing your success with us!

Linda

gessieviolet - try looking at a local hydroponics store for the coir. You would at least save on shipping costs. ^_^

This message was edited Apr 8, 2009 5:29 PM

You can get coir and some coir related products from www.instagarden.com. Nice looking tomato's. Looks like you might have made it past old jack frost.

My box is made from a 66 quart blue storage container, I just took the same sized opaque container and capped it over the plants. Weighted with a partial bag of potting mix I had been too lazy to take back to the shed. No other cover. It did look like the plants were in a little greenhouse.

Gymgirl we have to go out and look for the mini greenhouses now. Can't let gessieviolet get ahead of us.

Girl, I know what you mean. You know where I can find some RUBBER golf tees?

Gymgirl, what'cha mean? You makin' fun of me or somethin' ?


I just saw the purpose of the rubber tee, now this makes sense! Lord, I won't bother to tell you what I was imagining you were saying !!!


This message was edited Apr 9, 2009 6:42 PM

No, gessieviolet, just trying to keep up with you Gurus!

Jaywhacker I didn't know this was our own BocaBob. Somebody I can trust. Got coir on the way. From all ya'll's raves I expecting it to take care of itself while I sit back and watch!! LOL Thanks for pointing me in that direction.

Um, just a tip, Gessieviolet. "Squeeze the Charmin'. But, please don't squeeze the coir!"

you'll figure that out when you hydrate it. LMK.

OK, I feel goofy asking, but what are the rubber golf tees used for? I never was good at missing out on something. ha

Oh, le'me answer, le'me answer. You have to read a different post to find they are used to plug drill holes in containers!! Such a clever idea, but I'm like you; when I read the above post I thought: What'cha t'akin 'bout Linda?

See:Post #6386034
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/972376/

This message was edited Apr 10, 2009 5:36 AM

I am glad someone finally got that straightened out. I wonted to ask but didn't wont to appear as unknowledgeable about technical stuff like that.

Well, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who didn't know. HEHE Linda, seems you left us all scratching our heads. What fun!!

Devota patches holes with Kitchen & Bath silicone II sealant. Water proof too.

Hmmm, thank you so much. It makes much more sense then what I got when I tried to be clever (and not appear to be unknowing) and search the site for it. Boy was that confusing.

That is a great idea, and much easier to obtain than corks, since my uncle is an avid golfer and likes me. hehehehe

Didn't mean to confuse ya'll by speaking out of thread (turn). I only asked cause Devota happened 2 B in this conversation and I was directing the ? 2 her. I knew she had followed from the other thread. Just remember the RUBBER Tees work because they are pliable enough to stretch and fill the hole and not get pushed back out by your water pressure. The rubber grips. The wooden ones don't stay in at all. D I tried the rubber stuff but I think I didn't let it cure long enough. It leaked. I might try again cause those rubber tees are hard 2 find.

Yeah G. It needs to cure a couple of hours and it has to be the right stuff. Girl, mama don't know nothin' 'bout no tees. D

Devota: When I made my HEBs and had to cut the top off the one I used for a reservoir I saved the top parts, they make good windbreakers if necessary for the plants.
joy

Joy, I do the same thing with mine. saves the litle blossoms from blowing away. Ain't we smart?

The smartest LOL. Just kidding, if that were true, would I ask so many questions. LOL Everyone has such beautiful garden set ups this year.
joy