Which plants need the staking kit?

[DonAndRene]

For us newbies, I would like the planting guide updated to make note of which plants need staking kits.

This year, I have an EB with a staking kit that contains (1) yellow squash, (1) zucchini and (1) cucumber. Six weeks in, it looks like only the cucumber needed the staking kit since the squash and zucchini, while large, seem to be more bushy. Since this is my first year with veggies, I am not sure what the rest of the season will bring.

Thanks,
Don

[writeone]

Most plant growth instructions will tell whether staking is needed.
http://harvesttotable.com gives great detailed overview

[DonAndRene]

Most plant growth instructions will tell whether staking is needed.
http://harvesttotable.com gives great detailed overview

I climbed all over that site last night. I did find the article that talked about space saving techniques that included some examples, but I am looking for data more specific to Earthbox, since it seems that some plants get larger in earthboxes.

It seems like a staking recommendation in the planting guide would be nice - and may sell more staking kits. 

[bdank]

For us newbies, I would like the planting guide updated to make note of which plants need staking kits.

This year, I have an EB with a staking kit that contains (1) yellow squash, (1) zucchini and (1) cucumber. Six weeks in, it looks like only the cucumber needed the staking kit since the squash and zucchini, while large, seem to be more bushy. Since this is my first year with veggies, I am not sure what the rest of the season will bring.

Thanks,
Don

In my earthbox garden I cage:
Tomatoes
Peppers (mine get very big and need support)
Cucumbers
Melons (optional, you can let them sprawl on the ground)
Pole beans
vining squash
Peas
corn (the stalks fall over without some sort of support. You could just tie twine around all the stalks)

I don't cage:
Bush beans
Bush squash
lettuce
greens (collards, chard, kale)
carrots
broccoli
radishes
beets
Basil (or any other herbs)

[BPFSU]

Next year the Black Beauty Zucchini is definitely getting a cage.  Most of the plant and fruit are now on the ground.

BP

[writeone]

While the stake may need to be stronger due to EB growth, the plants that required staking are the same no matter the garden method.

[Emnation]

In my earthbox garden I cage:
Tomatoes
Peppers (mine get very big and need support)
Cucumbers
Melons (optional, you can let them sprawl on the ground)
Pole beans
vining squash
Peas
corn (the stalks fall over without some sort of support. You could just tie twine around all the stalks)

I don't cage:
Bush beans
Bush squash
lettuce
greens (collards, chard, kale)
carrots
broccoli
radishes
beets
Basil (or any other herbs)

Dbank, I keep coming across your forum posts as among the most useful for me! I am trying to decide what to grow in my new 4th EB, and since we are in the same region it is good inspiration for me to see what you like to grow. 

[bdank]

In my earthbox garden I cage:
Tomatoes
Peppers (mine get very big and need support)
Cucumbers
Melons (optional, you can let them sprawl on the ground)
Pole beans
vining squash
Peas
corn (the stalks fall over without some sort of support. You could just tie twine around all the stalks)

I don't cage:
Bush beans
Bush squash
lettuce
greens (collards, chard, kale)
carrots
broccoli
radishes
beets
Basil (or any other herbs)

Dbank, I keep coming across your forum posts as among the most useful for me! I am trying to decide what to grow in my new 4th EB, and since we are in the same region it is good inspiration for me to see what you like to grow. 

Thanks Emnation! I forgot to mention Eggplant, I grow and cage those too.

[brownround02]

bdank, when did you cage your eggplant? I just planted a seedling thats only about 7 inches tall at the moment. Can/should I wait or not?

[DonAndRene]

In my earthbox garden I cage:
Tomatoes
Peppers (mine get very big and need support)
Cucumbers
Melons (optional, you can let them sprawl on the ground)
Pole beans
vining squash
Peas
corn (the stalks fall over without some sort of support. You could just tie twine around all the stalks)

I don't cage:
Bush beans
Bush squash
lettuce
greens (collards, chard, kale)
carrots
broccoli
radishes
beets
Basil (or any other herbs)

Thank you so much for the details!!!

From the looks of my zucchini and yellow squash, I believe both are bush variety (I am a rookie on veggies and just bought what looked nice at the nursery). I am already planning out my 2013 planting based on research now, adding 4 boxes so far . I am totally hooked!

My zucchini and yellow squash were planted 4/1/2012. I have harvested 2.5+ lbs in the past 5 days since first harvest.

[bdank]

bdank, when did you cage your eggplant? I just planted a seedling thats only about 7 inches tall at the moment. Can/should I wait or not?

Last year my eggplant was over five feet tall and produced more eggplant than we could eat. I caged it from the beginning. I use the same double pea fence cage that I do for my tomatoes. Yours may or may not get this big. It's hard to tell in an earthbox, some stuff really takes off.


The first box of plants in this photo are eggplant. The leaves were full of holes from flea beetles, but I still had a great harvest. I'm 5' 3" and I'm standing between my pepper plants. This should give you an idea of how big things can get.

[kathy]

bdank, when did you cage your eggplant? I just planted a seedling thats only about 7 inches tall at the moment. Can/should I wait or not?

Last year my eggplant was over five feet tall and produced more eggplant than we could eat. I caged it from the beginning. I use the same double pea fence cage that I do for my tomatoes. Yours may or may not get this big. It's hard to tell in an earthbox, some stuff really takes off.


The first box of plants in this photo are eggplant. The leaves were full of holes from flea beetles, but I still had a great harvest. I'm 5' 3" and I'm standing between my pepper plants. This should give you an idea of how big things can get.

Yep, I am sticking with my nuclear plant theory.....My eggplant produce more than 2 people can eat.....but they grow to about 3 feet tall.

[baileyj]

Wow, Kathy, bdank,
I too think there must be a nuclear power plant component !   I am not so far away and wish
I could replicate your results .....
Do you think it is the Garden's Alive Fertilizer That seems to be a possibility....
How much do you use and do you use different types for different vegetables ?
Hope this question makes sense ! 
Unbelievable results, even for earthboxes !!  It cannot be the limited sun !!
Tell us your secret, please..
Judi

[bdank]

Wow, Kathy, bdank,
I too think there must be a nuclear power plant component !   I am not so far away and wish
I could replicate your results .....
Do you think it is the Garden's Alive Fertilizer That seems to be a possibility....
How much do you use and do you use different types for different vegetables ?
Hope this question makes sense !  
Unbelievable results, even for earthboxes !!  It cannot be the limited sun !!
Tell us your secret, please..
Judi

Judi, I have had the same results using Espoma Tomato Tone and Garden Tone. In the fertilizer trial that I'm doing this year, I'm not seeing any diffrence between Tomato Tone and the Gardens Alive Tomatoes Alive (yet).  

I also use 'the snack' that has been talked about on this forum.

Another thing it might be, I add beneficial microbes (bacteria) to the potting mix as a soil drench when I plant out. I read about doing this on the Tomatoville forum.

The recipe for this drench is as follows:
1 Gallon of water
2 teaspoons Actinovate
2 teaspoons Mycogrow
1/4 Biota Max tablet

I mix this up and, after I plant my seedlings in the earthbox, I drench their roots with about a 1/4 cup of this solution. All the products mentioned are available on the internet. If you have already planted for this year you can still add this drench to your plants. I would be very curious to know if you see a noticeable difference in your plants.

Like I said, I thought everyone who uses earthboxes got these results. I have convinced a lot of people to buy earthboxes after showing them my garden.

Either the microbe drench is the secret or I just have some sort of mico-climate here that plants love :0).

Here's a link to the thread on Tomatoville that inspired me to start using this drench: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=17113

[bdank]

Next year the Black Beauty Zucchini is definitely getting a cage.  Most of the plant and fruit are now on the ground.

BP

I quit growing zucchini because I can't win the war against vine borers. I tried every tip and trick out there. This year I'm growing a different variety of squash that grows on a vine and is supposed to be vine borer resistant. I still put some summer squash in the ground but don't expect to get anything from them. I'm hoping the borers will go to them and leave the rest of my garden alone. I feel like I'm the only gardener who doesn't get over-run with Zucchini.