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PaulB
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« Reply #15 on: April 03, 2012, 12:54:46 AM » |
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My fertilizer runs me less than $.80 per box, per season.
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Southeast New Mexico, zone 7
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ErnieHodge
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« Reply #16 on: April 03, 2012, 07:00:50 AM » |
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Here's something that maybe has been left out of the equation. How much of your time do you save by not having to till up a conventional garden every year, plan crop rotation and weeding as compared to the EB way of growing? Just a thought.  |
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Ernie Hodge
Remember, a rose is just a weed in a corn patch.
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seansmum
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« Reply #17 on: April 03, 2012, 08:05:09 AM » |
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Here's something that maybe has been left out of the equation. How much of your time do you save by not having to till up a conventional garden every year, plan crop rotation and weeding as compared to the EB way of growing? Just a thought. And a rototiller can cost more than my 25 EB's combined!!!!!!!! |
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writeone
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« Reply #18 on: April 03, 2012, 11:37:58 AM » |
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good points. The person that got me thinking about costs per season has used EB as a conventional planter. Thus, my limitations.
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jackhollow
Active Member
Posts: 10
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« Reply #19 on: May 07, 2012, 11:30:07 AM » |
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You said the organic fertilizer does not need pantyhose. Why is that? Is it because you do not remover the organic fertilizer each year? Thanks.
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jackhollow
Active Member
Posts: 10
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« Reply #20 on: May 07, 2012, 11:50:18 AM » |
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Thanks Cushman.
I appreciate the help. This is my first year to use organic fertilizer in my EB's and other homemade SWC's. Glad to hear that I don't have to dig the organic out each year.
I also did not know I could mix it in. I just put it in a strip like I did in past years with the chemical fert. Would it have been better if I mixed the organic in? Thanks again.
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writeone
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« Reply #21 on: May 08, 2012, 12:30:30 PM » |
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It can be mixed throughout the mix unlike chemical fert that can burn the roots from proximity and contain leftover salts that need to be removed at the end of the season.
This is in ref to the restart process. Once organic fertilizer has been used up, <then> the residual substance can be mixed into the potting mix along with mixing in the dolomite. When you're ready to add the new fertilizer, make a trench and pour a strip of fertilizer without the knee-high hose. The purpose of the hose if so the fertilizer can be easily lifted out of the box. The residual salts from chemical fertilizers must be removed from the box. |
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Claudia
Newbie
Posts: 3
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« Reply #22 on: May 13, 2012, 02:34:38 PM » |
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I'm a little confused. I've seen that the leftover strips of the fertilizer that came with the EBs should be removed when you're ready to replant - but last year, we couldn't find any remnants of the fertilizer, so we just mixed the soil in the box up good and replanted. Now that it's time to get the boxes out and ready them for planting this year, what are the implications if we can't find the fertilizer strip again this year?
We're growing two boxes of okra and four boxes of tomatoes, and while this sure is easier than conventional 'gardening', I really don't want to do something seriously wrong. Have had great success with okra - much less with tomatoes, and we don't have a clue as to why that is. Had severe blossom end rot last year on the tomatoes that did form, but mostly the plants just didn't make tomatoes.
But, about that fertilizer . . . any ideas?
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writeone
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« Reply #23 on: May 13, 2012, 02:54:01 PM » |
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What type of fertilzer are you using?
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seansmum
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« Reply #24 on: May 13, 2012, 02:57:57 PM » |
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I'm a little confused. I've seen that the leftover strips of the fertilizer that came with the EBs should be removed when you're ready to replant - but last year, we couldn't find any remnants of the fertilizer,
But, about that fertilizer . . . any ideas?
If you were using organic fertilizer there is no problem. If you used non organic I doubt there would be a problem this one time, but you don't want the salts from the fertilizer to build up in your EB. Sue |
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sarahgw
Newbie
Posts: 9
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« Reply #25 on: May 15, 2012, 04:48:22 PM » |
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I am on my third year using earthboxes. The first year I had two, and the second year I got two more. This year I didn't add anything (I am out of room). The 1st year I had the kit so it was expensive!! I also learned a few lessons. The second year I bought two new boxes so they were set up but I just used the dirt from last year in the other two. They did great. I will note I did fertilize the second year because I found out from the first year my plants really need more nutrition. This is my 3rd year and to date for 2012 I've spent nothing on my garden!! I grew everything from seed, and I had left over fertilizer from last year which I use once a week. I've been getting snow peas daily for weeks now. I have celery, and beans growing nice. The beans just started blooming. I have 3 tomato plants with tons of greens tomatoes growing big, I have 2 baby eggplants growing, and I am getting zucchini daily. I couldn't be happier and with cost this year. I am already planning next years garden making notes of what is working this year and what isn't.
I haven't done the cost break down for a 5 year period of time but, with the amount I am producing this year and how much it has already saved me at the store its worth the cost. Last year I had bel peppers grow until January. Starting in october of last year organic bells were $5.00 a bell pepper. I use bell peppers almost daily. So, I can't even add up how much I must of saved. Hmm maybe I will make notes of that for this year.
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morganmac
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« Reply #26 on: May 16, 2012, 08:44:23 AM » |
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The upfront costs of establishing new boxes can be a little daunting, I'll admit. You're right, the cost isn't so bad when spread out over 5 years or more...but there's also the good these boxes have done me and the kids so far! It got a 13-year-old away from the video games for 5 minutes...I consider that a success. EBs have more benefits besides the ones you can eat.  Whenever I doubt the payoff I walk through the produce section of the grocery store and glare at those overpriced peppers. |
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Morgan
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kathy
The EarthBox
Hero Member
Posts: 3568
Horticulturalist. Zone 5, almost 4
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« Reply #27 on: May 16, 2012, 08:49:02 AM » |
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I hear you on the over-priced peppers, I just ran out of the last of my 2011 EarthBox grown frozen peppers, and had to buy some! That hurt me and my wallet.
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kath, gardening is my game, EarthBox is my fame.
BER...happens.
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morganmac
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« Reply #28 on: May 16, 2012, 09:54:13 AM » |
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I just don't understand why leaving a pepper on the plant until it turns red makes it cost twice as much. I guess it's that much longer before they can ship out a product to sell, but still.
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Morgan
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writeone
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« Reply #29 on: May 16, 2012, 02:59:07 PM » |
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I just don't understand why leaving a pepper on the plant until it turns red makes it cost twice as much. I guess it's that much longer before they can ship out a product to sell, but still.
Mine take a lot longer. I've not documented the time, but it makes me think -- no wonder the ripe peppers cost so much more. |
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