I'm giving up on EB

[ktoonces]

Here in Myrtle Beach, SC I have decided not to grow anything anymore. My plants start out beautifully but by midseason they all die. My tomatoes are completely brown. I am assuming this is due to early blight because of the extreme heat and the fact that our development has an overhead sprinkler system that comes on most every night. But there are so many diseases it could be something else.
I have decided to either give my EBs to my son or sell them. Do you have any recommendations on treating the soil to get rid of the disease or would you recommend redoing the entire box?
Sigh. I so enjoy growing stuff.    

[mjb8743]

Sorry you're giving it all up. One thought... are you growing in the right season? This time of year is suicide for gardening. If your tomatoes are done in, that's pretty normal for summer... just ask any of our southern EBers.

Before you completely throw in the towel, why not give it another try in the correct season for your area? You can solarize your EBs by wetting them down and enclosing them in clear plastic bags. Leave exposed to the sun for a month or so. That should kill off any diseases or other pathogens.

This link will take you to a planting guide for South Carolina. Part way down is a planting schedule for the 3 gardening regions of your state. It may make the difference between giving up in frustration and beaming with happiness at the first taste of a beautiful, ripe tomato you grew.

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/vegetables/gardening/hgic1256.html

Tell your son to get his own earthboxes... 

Mickie

[ktoonces]

Thanks for responding. I checked the Clemson site and I planted at the correct time. We are coastal and I planted snap beans (direct sow) on 3/25 and the tomatoes on 3/28. I have also done extensive research on the Clemson site and they say to never let overhead sprinkler water hit your plants. And our pond water (from which the sprinklers draw) is most likely polluted. Also makes me wonder what we're breathing some of the time!
My son is too tight to buy his own EBs. He knows he'll get mine eventually!

[Rondini]

Not knowing your set-up, is it possible to shield your plants?
Maybe some thing like 1 x 2's with plastic sheeting stapled in between.

Ron

[carolg]

Tried calling EB in case you need further answers?

My EB stuff was planted late and bought: cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers.  I planted squash from seed and it is doing well. Now I planted some cucumbers in addition by seed. 

The purchased plants are not doing great. 

Been very hot here in Denver, CO, USA area. 

Love just watering my 15 or so boxes once a day.  No weeds. I just have fun going out to look at what I call my "babies."

carolg
zone 4

[ktoonces]

Thanks for all replies. We have already thought about blocking the sprinkler. But we live in a townhome development and I'm sure some of our neighbors think our plants are tacky (although they don't mind eating the stuff we give them!) so I don't think they would go for any kind of screen. Maybe I'll just put up life-size concrete angels and night lights around my home like the neighbor who sneers at my vegetables.

[cushman350]

TASTEFUL EB ACCESSORIES

Shower Curtains
Edit: Shadecloth Draperies for Those Choosey Neighbors and Choosier Gardeners
Substitute shadecloth for a lively clear shower curtain.

[movrshakr]

Can't read the red text.

[ktoonces]

Thanks, Cushman! That looks like a pretty good idea. Looks better to me than concrete angels and trailer park lights.

[bobk]

Can't read the red text.

shadecloth
draperies
for those
choosey
neighbors
and choosier
gardeners

[movrshakr]

Can't read the red text.

shadecloth draperies for those choosey neighbors and choosier gardeners

Thanks.  I think it would definitely have neighbors scratching head.

[cushman350]

Itchy heads on other people are funny. Te-He. Specially those who don't get it.

Does Walmart have clear shower curtains with fish or beach balls on them? 

[Rondini]

OK, read my prior post cushmans is the same only with picts