Got my first EBs today...some goods and some bads...

[anndelise]

I purchased my very first EBs today.  Two of them.  I was so excited, but I waited until my daughter got home from school so she could be involved in the unpacking and setting up.  (She's happy we are doing a garden!!)

So we go onto the deck where I placed the boxes, we each got a box, and then I showed her how to take the airator thingy out (I can't think of the name at this moment, lol), and then we went to take off the stickers.  And parts got stuck and the sticker kept splitting and ripping, and we were left with a mess to clean up.  We were very careful too.  And after at least half an hour, with me losing portions of two of my right hand nails, we finally got the stuff mostly off.

What an introduction.
"Hey, look at this great new thing we've got.  Let's check it out."
(half an hour later) "Ok, NOW let's check it out!!"

Needless to say, she lost interest before all of the sticker stuff was taken off.  So I wound up putting them together myself.  Family time was lost.   

I have to say, it was quite...annoying.  And that's putting it mildly.
Perhaps EarthBox might reconsider the kind of glue they are using for their visual introduction of what the EarthBox is and how to use it.



I do have one other complaint, but it is no reflection on EarthBox.
I was so happy to discover that we have three stores (same company) in the town I go to regularly that are EarthBox suppliers.  Unfortunately, not a single one of them have the EB potting mix. 

Worse, the store I went to, the lady in charge of the Garden Area was telling me that I should use potting soil and mix it with some compost and to forget about the dolomite? and the fertilizer that comes with it.  And that the EB's were pretty high priced planter boxes and that I should go for some cheap round plastic clay looking pot.  She was telling me about her experience using the  EB growing roma tomatoes, and how she had used this soil and compost mix but that the EB didn't keep her tomatoes moist enough because they kept getting dry and so she had to top water them all the time.

I just kept thinking..."Did you even read up on how the EB works??"  but I didn't say anything.  Just nodded and smiled.


On a positive note.  My two EBs are put together.
Tomorrow I'll be mixing the Peat Moss, vermiculite, and perlite together.  I actually already have a bag each of the last two ingredients from a hydroponic experiment a few years ago.  I couldn't find any Potting Mix other than Miracle Grow and one that had even worse ingredients.  At one of the stores, I saw a bale of Peat Moss, remembered the recipe I'd seen on this forum, remembered that I had the left over other ingredients, and so purchased the bales.  I just hope I've got the recipe in my head right.

I'm waiting until I've got the EBs prepared and the brocc and cauli seedlings in one of the EBs, and the pea seeds planted in the other, and the lettuce and herbs and onions planted in some deck railing planters, before I hint to my gardening neighbor a few doors down that I'm finally making my attempt.  Boy is she going to be surprised!!!


Tomorrow's going to be a very busy day for me it looks like.
I have to say, even though I'm making my own potting mix for these, as soon as those suppliers get their EarthBox potting mixes, I'm buying a few bags so I won't have to go through this again.

[mjb8743]

Perhaps EarthBox might reconsider the kind of glue they are using for their visual introduction of what the EarthBox is and how to use it.

They already have... old inventory has to be used up first. Soaking the stickers supposedly helps some...

The dealers don't stock the Earthbox potting mix due to the weight and shipping cost. You can buy an acceptable mix locally. Here is a general list, some of which should be available in your area. Just remember that whatever it's called that it must not contain any rock, sand, clay, earth, humus, compost or byproducts. Some regions call it soil and others it's mix... check the ingredients.

    * Miracle-gro Potting Soil
    * Miracle gro Moisture Control Potting Mix
    * Miracle-gro Organic Mix
    * Pro-mix BX
    * Pro-mix numerous other formulas
    * Jungle-Growth
    * Fertilome
    * ASB Potting Mix
    * Eko Potting Mix
    * Sun-Grow Metro Mix 360
    * Sun-Grow, numerous other formulas
    * Baccto Professional Potting Mix
    * Baccto Lite Premium Potting Soil
    * EB Stone Edna's Potting Soil (west coast)
    * EB Stone Flower & Vegetable Planting mix
    * Kellogg's Gardener & Bloom Blue Ribbon Blend Potting Soil (west coast)
    * Kellogg's Champions Blend Potting Soil (west coast)

We could have a whole thread relating the horror stories of EB dealers' abuses and misinformation... unfortunately, it's not a rare occurance, which underscores the need for you to be well-versed in the facts and the workings of the EB.

Tomorrow I'll be mixing the Peat Moss, vermiculite, and perlite together. 

A workable formula can range between 70% Peat, 20% Vermiculite, 10% Perlite to 85% Peat, 10% Vermiculite and 5% Perlite.
A good mix is:
     70% Peat
     20% Vermiculite
     10% Perlite
     2 Cups Dolomite (pulverized/powdered agricultural limestome w/ magnesium)for all tomatoes and vegetables.
     2 Cups Granulated Fertilizer (in a strip on top)

If at all possible, it's best to pre-moisten your finished mix before putting it into the EB, and pay special attention to packing the wicking corners and mounding the mix high enough.

Good luck,
Mickie

[Deb]

The only thing I can think to add to Mickie's comment is that the potting mix will last for 5-7 years, maybe longer, so you'll only have to have more for topping up the boxes for next season's planting or for the next set of boxes you get.

You know these things are addictive, right?

Welcome to the forum and happy growing.

Deb

[anndelise]

Perhaps EarthBox might reconsider the kind of glue they are using for their visual introduction of what the EarthBox is and how to use it.

They already have... old inventory has to be used up first. Soaking the stickers supposedly helps some...

Yay!  Now I've gotta figure out how to tell the old stock from the new stock. 

The dealers don't stock the Earthbox potting mix due to the weight and shipping cost.

That makes sense.

Tomorrow I'll be mixing the Peat Moss, vermiculite, and perlite together. 

A workable formula can range between 70% Peat, 20% Vermiculite, 10% Perlite to 85% Peat, 10% Vermiculite and 5% Perlite.
A good mix is:
     70% Peat
     20% Vermiculite
     10% Perlite
     2 Cups Dolomite (pulverized/powdered agricultural limestome w/ magnesium)for all tomatoes and vegetables.
     2 Cups Granulated Fertilizer (in a strip on top)

If at all possible, it's best to pre-moisten your finished mix before putting it into the EB, and pay special attention to packing the wicking corners and mounding the mix high enough.

I was going to do 80% Peat Moss, 15% Vermiculite, 5% Perlite.  But the 70/20/10 mix would be easier to measure.  My understanding is that I'm supposed to moisten the Peat Moss first.  Then fluff it.  Then do the measuring and mixing.  Then moisten as I put the mix into the EB. 

Also that some people mix the Dolomite in as they are putting their potting mix into the EB, and some people do a strip about half way up.  I haven't decided which of those I'm going to do.

For now I'm using EarthBox's fertilizer package.
(which reminds me that I failed to get extra dolomite and fertilizer for the rail planters...*sigh*...I'll have to ask a neighbor to pick up a couple of planting packets from the EB supplier.  Oh, but that might actually work to my benefit because then I can use the covers from those packets to cover the railing planters which will be holding my lettuce and onions and such.)


Question, for future reference, if given the choice of those potting mixes mentioned above vs the Moss/Verm/Perl mix, which would be the better choice? (in your opinion)

Good luck,
Mickie

Thank you, I'm going to need it.
But omgosh I am so excited.  So is my daughter.  And even my SO is kind of getting an eager look in his eye.      

[anndelise]

The only thing I can think to add to Mickie's comment is that the potting mix will last for 5-7 years, maybe longer, so you'll only have to have more for topping up the boxes for next season's planting or for the next set of boxes you get.

I wasn't sure just how long, I knew at least 3-5 years
I wonder if I could premix the Peat/Verm/Perl and store it up so that I can 'grab-n-go'.
(Hmmm, I think I'll test it out since I'll have some extra mix from the third batch of mixing, the one that's for the railing planter boxes.  I'll have to figure out a way of drying it though, if the peat has to be moist before mixing.  Or some way of figuring out how much peat was used prior to moist-n-mixing.) (sorry, that was thinking out-loud there)

You know these things are addictive, right?

lol, I'm beginning to catch on, and I just bought the two boxes yesterday.   

As my SO was getting ready for work this morning, I was debating whether or not to ask him if he'd be willing to purchase two more boxes for me.  I want to because I'm going to have 3 extra seedlings and I still want to plant him some brussels when the time comes, and maybe ....maybe...try a couple of bush cherry tomatoes.  But I know he'll balk at the cost.

I haven't asked him...yet.   

Welcome to the forum and happy growing.

Deb

Thank you.   

[kathy]

     There is no old or new inventory right now, all the labels have the extra super heavy duty adhesive that I think could hold car bumpers on cars. The way to get the label off the grid easily is to heat it up with a hair dryer for a few minutes, than it will lift up easily and come off in once piece. Sorry about that. We now use a piece of foam under the label, so that it can be removed easier, but that may be weeks or months before it filters down to the retailers regionally.
     As far as EarthBox potting mix it is not sold at any retailer. Almost all retailers in the garden business sell a suitable soil-less mix. I found it somewhat humorous that the lady at the garden center didn't use the right stuff and then basically was disappointed with her results...hmmm I guess she didn't make the connection. I always wondered what happend to your brain cells if you were exposed all those years in your work environment to those nasty chemicals....LOL. I guess it will happen to me, I have had over 40 years in the garden business.....maybe it has happened and I just don't know it yet?
     Good luck with your EB's my hope is you will have wonderful results and you will take pictures and go in and educate that retailer.

[anndelise]

...[]...
I always wondered what happend to your brain cells if you were exposed all those years in your work environment to those nasty chemicals....LOL. I guess it will happen to me, I have had over 40 years in the garden business.....maybe it has happened and I just don't know it yet?
     Good luck with your EB's my hope is you will have wonderful results and you will take pictures and go in and educate that retailer.

I didn't even have to deal with any nasty chemicals and it happened to me!!!

While I was making the potting mix and filling my first box, I was thinking that I should take pictures of the process, step by step.  Then I could put it in a book to show people like that retailer lady and another one.  While I was at a different garden store yesterday, I had mentioned the EarthBox to one of the workers.  She says that people ask her about them, but she didn't know anything other than that it seems to be a popular thing to ask for.  I told her which store company has them in stock.  After buying my EarthBox at the other store, I was tempted to drive back to the garden store so I could show them to her.  But I didn't.  But I think a little mini picture book would be neat.  And if I photocopy it, I can make it into a cheap booklet to give to whoever asks about them.


On a different note:
We got two more boxes this evening, making a beginning total of 4. 
Any more boxes will have to wait until I get ready to plant for fall/winter.  (and figure out how to put them in the yard)

[justlen]

andelise, are you anywhere near Snohomish? There's a distributor there that will sell you ProMix BX. It's about $27 for 2.8 cu ft. That's enough to fill three boxes. It's compressed.

[anndelise]

I am near alger, which is between mt vernon and bellingham.  I call bellingham home though, since that is where I go when I've shopping to do.

I saw that there was a ProMix distributor in snohomish (i think) but I had already purchased the 3 bales of peat before I found out that snohomish is just an hour or so away.

I was supposed to spend today finishing up making the potting mix, but I was almost out of vermiculite and had called a store in mt vernon, supposedly they had some in stock, it was a new store, and I wanted to see if they were a potential source of gardening supplies.  But what they actually had was the large large bag (for $45) and a small small bag.  After checking out other places in mt vernon, we drove back up to bellingham to get the same large bag for $30 (we didn't know that was what we were going to get, just that they had the size i was looking for).

So now I have enough ingredients for at least another years worth of boxes. 

But thank you, and it also helps to know that the one bale will fill three boxes.

[mom2shaggy]

1) At the risk of sounding too similar to Kathy's post, I found out by accident last year the stickers came off easily after I left EarthBoxes sitting inside my hot automobile in the late Spring.
2) I don't have room to store loaded EarthBoxes. I keep the dry mix in a garbage can with a lid on during the winter. Mix that is wet gets smelly if the can has no drainage holes. But then again what a waste to have extra mix...... I fixed that problem with more boxes... 

[kathy]

Shaggy....we just all chuckled in the office.....wow, why didn't you tell us last year...that the hot car trick worked....we spent hours, even some week end hours on a solution for easy removal. We have found that any type of heat seems to allow the label to come off.