On-going cost of EB gardening per season

[writeone]

One EB gardener I met locally says it's too expensive to follow the EB protocol. She has 3 EBs but uses conventional container gardening methods because she gets free compost from the county.

That got me thinking. With following EB protocol for high optimal results, the cost other than the box itself averages to $5.67 per season. I prorated the "soil" over a 5 year period because it's reusable. Does that seem reasonable?

This is how I got the seasonal total:
1.77 Potting Mix (3.54 per cu ft lasting 5 years except for the amounts replaced from displacement each season. EBs hold up to  2 cu ft when full, I calculated 2.5 to allow for refill)

0.80 mulch cover (some people reuse this. I don't want to risk losing it mid season. Thus 0.80 per season for a new one. I buy in bulk with free shipping.)

3.00 fertilizer (I may be able to bring this cost down if I can find larger bags of EB approved fert.)

0.10 or less dolomite (<$5 for 40#, able to skip one season per year of adding the dolomite. But even if replaced every season it's 0.10 per season).

All comes to  $5.67 per season. Does that sound right?

[seansmum]

I would say my cost per box is even less than that. I do search for the best deal on potting mix and buy my ferilizer in 50lb bags that only cost $16. Certainly I think my EB's paid for themselves the first year. I have spent a substantial amount of additional money puchasing 2 AWS systems and 4 EB stands, but they are convenience items.
Sue

[gardendoc]

I don't think your numbers are off except for the fertilizer. Looking at my growing I would say the overall operating cost of my EBs is in the $5 range (if I took the time to run the numbers I'm sure it is less than this), but that is for the entire year and multiple seasons.

[writeone]

I've not been able to find large bags of fertilizer that meet EB recommendations. I'm looking locally to avoid shipping costs.

[seansmum]

I've not been able to find large bags of fertilizer that meet EB recommendations. I'm looking locally to avoid shipping costs.

Are there any farm stores in your area or Tractor Supply?

[chrissykr]

On a gardening board I read a bunch of stock up big time on  Espoma products @ Ozbo.com. With $4.95 shipping and the extra 5% off with the sale prices they were offering we got really good deals.

[rxdiane]

All sounds good, but I do put the Fert. in a panty hose......those do cost a bit extra!! 

[writeone]

All sounds good, but I do put the Fert. in a panty hose......those do cost a bit extra!!  

Organic fertilizer doesn't need the PHose, but the fertilizer costs more.

See at the end of this tread for a reusable alternative to the PH: http://forum.earthbox.com/index.php?topic=8898.15

[writeone]

Are there any farm stores in your area or Tractor Supply?

They are not close to home

[potatohead]

One EB gardener I met locally says it's too expensive to follow the EB protocol. She has 3 EBs but uses conventional container gardening methods because she gets free compost from the county.

That got me thinking. With following EB protocol for high optimal results, the cost other than the box itself averages to $5.67 per season. I prorated the "soil" over a 5 year period because it's reusable. Does that seem reasonable?

This is how I got the seasonal total:
1.77 Potting Mix (3.54 per cu ft lasting 5 years except for the amounts replaced from displacement each season. EBs hold up to  2 cu ft when full, I calculated 2.5 to allow for refill)

0.80 mulch cover (some people reuse this. I don't want to risk losing it mid season. Thus 0.80 per season for a new one. I buy in bulk with free shipping.)

3.00 fertilizer (I may be able to bring this cost down if I can find larger bags of EB approved fert.)

0.10 or less dolomite (<$5 for 40#, able to skip one season per year of adding the dolomite. But even if replaced every season it's 0.10 per season).

All comes to  $5.67 per season. Does that sound right?

I'm curious about the potting mix lasting 5 years. It seems to me that if it lasts that long, why not longer? What happens to it at the 5 year point that does not happen sooner than 5 years or later than 5 years? I am just curious about how that number of years was chosen.

[mjb8743]

I'm curious about the potting mix lasting 5 years. It seems to me that if it lasts that long, why not longer? What happens to it at the 5 year point that does not happen sooner than 5 years or later than 5 years? I am just curious about how that number of years was chosen.

It's not cut in stone. It's an arbitrary number that ultimately depends on the mix used, weather/climate, and any additions to the mix. Personally, I'm going into my 7th year and haven't totally changed out the mix in my original 30 EBs. I do remove a couple of inches each year and try to stir things up while adding back some fresh mix.

Peat will break down over time... it's a given. But, it's a long time, so it's still pretty economical. When the potting mix begins to break down, it changes the way it draws and holds water. The mix may start getting 'boggy' (too wet), which is not a good thing because it means not enough air is in the mix. That's when it's time to change the mix.

Mickie

[potatohead]

I'm curious about the potting mix lasting 5 years. It seems to me that if it lasts that long, why not longer? What happens to it at the 5 year point that does not happen sooner than 5 years or later than 5 years? I am just curious about how that number of years was chosen.

It's not cut in stone. It's an arbitrary number that ultimately depends on the mix used, weather/climate, and any additions to the mix. Personally, I'm going into my 7th year and haven't totally changed out the mix in my original 30 EBs. I do remove a couple of inches each year and try to stir things up while adding back some fresh mix.

Peat will break down over time... it's a given. But, it's a long time, so it's still pretty economical. When the potting mix begins to break down, it changes the way it draws and holds water. The mix may start getting 'boggy' (too wet), which is not a good thing because it means not enough air is in the mix. That's when it's time to change the mix.

Mickie

So, I guess when your plants are done for the season, you examine the mix and see how soggy it is and then deciding to reuse it or not? And if it seems to have normal moisture, then you keep it? Will it be obvious when it is bad?

[writeone]

This is starting my 2nd yr with EB. I'm calculating based on posts I've read. They say it will be obvious. My impression is it gets sour smell.

[kathy]

I am going on year 5 on some of my boxes. I have no intention of replacing my growing media for quite some time.

[writeone]

Excellent.

Ooops, I realized I forgot to include snack and mosquito dunks as recommended but optional.