Updated 4/16/2006 - Earthbox website updated
Hey guys - I noticed the new website for EBs is up. Thankfully, they still offer the covers for the old ones.
Hope everyone is having a nice Sunday evening!
Chris
P.S. Attached is a photo of the new casa, pictures of the back yard (and EB's) to come soon!
This message was edited Apr 16, 2006 8:25 PM
Topic: Setup
Tplants master Setup Guide!
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/565249/
My Notes: Pack the corners tightly, but try not to over-compress the upper layers of soil – you need it to be packed enough to wick properly, but over-compacted soil can slow growth. If you keep the soil moist as you go, you shouldn’t have to hammer the top layers in as hard as you do the two wicking corners, in my experience.
This message was edited Mar 19, 2006 11:48 AM
Topic: Fertilizing
EB Fertilizer Discussions:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/569996/
Notes: the EB people have pretty good instructions for standard fertlizer. Organic EB'ing is still a little bit more art than science. :)
There are tons of great resources on how to mix your own, google organic fertilizer mixes, or talk with local organic farmers and growers. Also local Co-op/Extension people are great resources for local organic supplies.
Espoma Company carries premixed fertilizers (not all organic) and raw components, so if you can find a distributor of thier products near you, you're good to go. You can also get anything you need shipped, but the cost of it is prohibitive and the mailman will not be happy with your repeat arrivals of 55 pounds of bat... guano. I love the guys at http://www.dirtworks.net/, but the closer to you, the better in terms of cost.
I used the following in the earthboxes (3 cups of this blended mix per EB, blended into the soil):
4 pounds:
Cottonseed
Bloodmeal
Bonemeal
Kelpmeal
Peruvian Pellet Guano 10-10-0
Chicken manure based compost
1 pound:
Gypsum
Extras:
Dolomite Lime (as recommended for Tomatoes)
Fish Emulsion in Summer added to water (thanks Ritchh)
This message was edited Mar 19, 2006 12:05 PM
Topic: Direct Seeding and Transplanting Into the EB's
Direct Seeding Thread:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/574510/
Last Years Results from EB Growers:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/546250/
Notes: Jiffy pellets do not biodegrade as well as I had hoped – upon inspecting the root balls from last years crop, the root mass was substantially reduced in those plants that started in peat pellets vs my nursery or potted transplants. I will be using my APS from www.gardeners.com for any seedlings I start this year.
This message was edited Mar 19, 2006 11:50 AM
Topic: Stands & Cages and Frames, oh my!
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/508247/
This message was edited Mar 19, 2006 11:45 AM
Topic: Planning for next year - winterizing your EB's.
A lesson Tplant and I learned the hard way! :)
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/558957/
Moral of the story - pull up your plants, drain the water, scape off your fertilizer strip (if non-organic), pop on your new covers and you're good to go for next year.
Getting them out of the elements may have additional benefit depending on your climate, but most people report them lasting a very long time either way.
This message was edited Mar 19, 2006 11:37 AM
Topic: Earthbox Miscellaneous
Blossom End Rot discussion:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/554366/
Carolyn's Epic masterwork on BER!
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/291012/
New vs. Old Earthboxes:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/574887/
The 'Granddaddy' Earthbox thread (383 posts and counting, slow to load but a great thread!):
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/472214/
This message was edited Mar 19, 2006 9:58 PM
Topic: Reserved2
Topic: Reserved3
Hello Virginia Pesto...it's been a while since I've been here. Nice to see someone else still into growing in an EB with organics. I use the Espoma Plant-tone 5-3-3 which is 100% organic and clearly stated as such on the bag. And yes Espoma makes many other blends that are only partially organic such as their Tomato-tone which would be a no-no mixing into an EB in 2 and 3 cup quantities and would surely burn the plants beyond repair. My "formula" which I have used the past 4 years is 2 cups of the Espoma 5-3-3 and ˝ cup each of bone meal and kelp meal (brings up the P & K numbers) thoroughly mixed into the soil at planting time. This should all be readily available in any garden center, at least here in the Northeast. I don't know the distribution area of Espoma but they are located here in NJ and everyone carries their entire line here. I also use Messenger on everything growing on my property but that's another topic being discussed elsewhere. I'll just say that despite the lingering doubters, I was blown away by my results last year and will use it for sure this year.
Rich
