Replanting during the season

[Pagardener]

I plan to grow snap peas and spinach in my EarthBoxes this year. If this year is like last they will grow fast and stop producing fairly early. My question is can I plant a fast growing veggie (like lettuce) into the boxes that have finished (assuming I pull the plants out that are there) without going through the same replanting scenario one goes through in the spring (e.g. new fertilizer etc.).
Also would love to see a full video on planting seeds. The one with Blake is too short (I cannot see how he intends to get 21 corn plants in one box). I usually plant a 3'x8' stand of peas and a 3'x8' stand of spinach in the ground and I am not sure if I can plant that much in EBs. I have 12 EBs but I also plant 3 tomato plant, 3 pepper plants, a zuke, briussel sprouts,carrots,  melons and lettuce. I could plant the lettuce at the sides of my asparagus patch which would free up an EB but I am still not sure if I can plant enough in the EBs (I freeze for winter consumption).
Thanks for any help

[mjb8743]

For short season crops like spinach or lettuce, you don't need to redo the whole setup thing. A supplemental feeding of calcium nitrate wouldn't hurt... do a search on the 'snack' and you will see its widespread use by forum members.

Mickie

[writeone]

How many months should the fert strip last?

[baileyj]

I replace the fertilizer strip each time I replant a new crop.  I only add the 2 cups of dolomite at the beginning of the season and 1 cup with each crop change.  I try to have my boxes in use year round....for about 20 boxes I have been able to do that so I think it is important to refresh the fertilizer.
Hope this makes sense.
Judi 

[potatohead]

How many months should the fert strip last?

I wonder about this too. I understand that you have to refresh when you plant a new crop, but what if your plant ends up lasting a long time, such as a tomato, pepper, or eggplant, which are perennials in places with mild winters. I have plants that are still with me from last year. Surely the fertilizer has run out by now, right? Is doing the snack enough? Don't they need the other stuff, potassium and phosphorus? The snack only gives calcium and nitrogen.

[writeone]

There is that aspect and there is the short crop -- either short seasoned or something that didn't work well and got aborted. How long could that box go before needed a new fert strip?

[potatohead]

There is that aspect and there is the short crop -- either short seasoned or something that didn't work well and got aborted. How long could that box go before needed a new fert strip?

Yes, not everything follows the rules and lasts for "the season" (and how long is that?) and then is done/dies at the exact correct time.

So what to do about the very short crops and the very long crops? The outliers?

[cushman350]

I have added to the fert strip in the past when the summer heat subsided and the surviving plants started to become active again. They seemed to enjoy the refresh. I used 1 cup instead of 2. I'm referring to tomatoes.

The EB police have never showed up, really.

[baileyj]

I live in zone 7A so the only thing I grow that lasts longer than say 3-4 months are my Blueberries.
I refresh that box with a new fert. strip of Hollytone in April every year.  It does not need dolomite since it is an acid loving plant. They have been in that box about 4 years and are doing great !

In my opinion, the fertilizer really only seems to last 3-4 months.  If I had plants that lasted
more than that and were actively growing I would replace the strip at least every 6 months.

Garlic/onions/shallots--I overwinter them so they are in from October to June and I do not refresh the box, or change the strip.

If I am planting short season plants, like radish, or lettuce I would leave the strip in place for 2 plantings, then replace after that.

Judi

[mjb8743]

Judi--

I live in zone 7A so the only thing I grow that lasts longer than say 3-4 months are my Blueberries.
I refresh that box with a new fert. strip of Hollytone in April every year.  It does not need dolomite since it is an acid loving plant. They have been in that box about 4 years and are doing great !

Slightly off topic.......
I have about 18 blueberry plants, all in 2 1/2 gallon pots temporarily. In the EB, do you leave them out all winter? What steps do you take to 'winterize' them? I'm not sure what to do them, especially for winter. Maybe group them all under a dark tarp secured to the ground?

I can't afford EBs for them...    When my plants outgrow their pots, I'm considering hiring someone with a backhoe to cut a 2 ft trench along my 100 ft sand/rock driveway. If I save all the mix I discard when refreshing my boxes, that would work well with the sand that would be excavated. I have 1 year in the pots to decide what to do, assuming they survive winter.

We're in the same zone... am I overreacting?

Mickie

[kathy]

I have added to the fert strip in the past when the summer heat subsided and the surviving plants started to become active again. They seemed to enjoy the refresh. I used 1 cup instead of 2. I'm referring to tomatoes.

The EB police have never showed up, really.  

I mean really, we can't get anyone to make the trip to tomato hell!

[baileyj]

Mickie,
Last year I decided to move my blueberries out of the 2 EBs I had with 2 plants in each.  I was afraid I was wasting the EB...I moved 2 plants and left the other box intact....
I am now planning to put them back into boxes.  When I compare the growth it is so much more dramatic and consistent in the boxes...so I will have probably 4 boxes when I am done.
I just did not have much luck with them in the dirt...Now the elderberries..they love it in the dirt and I think would be too big for an EB so they will stay in the ground.
Judi