Recent Posts

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Tips and Tricks / How to Store Your Surplus Harvest
« Last post by joni barr on February 11, 2020, 11:32:44 am »
EarthBox gardener’s often end up with more produce than can be eaten or even give away. Tomatoes, zucchini, peppers and cucumbers often over produce. There is no need to lose any of the harvest due to several different ways to preserve your fresh produce. Following some storage steps can make your bounty can last months from now.

It’s important to get your surplus harvested and stored as soon as possible. Plan before you pick because once it has been picked, it’s time to get to work.

EarthBox has a great article on it’s blog site for this very occasion: https://blog.earthbox.com/how-to-store-your-surplus-harvest

This article has recommendations for oiling & waxing, freezing, dehydrating, canning, or pickling. With care, you can enjoy your fresh produce for months.
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Questions and Answers / Re: Need better drainage for an EarthBox
« Last post by joni barr on February 10, 2020, 03:43:05 pm »
There is also a "Recommended Growing Media" list on the website: https://earthbox.com/approved-for-earthbox

You may find something on this list that is available in your local area.
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Questions and Answers / Re: Need better drainage for an EarthBox
« Last post by gardendoc on February 06, 2020, 03:12:47 pm »
Mixing your own can lead to problems. I always recommend using the commercial professional mixes like Promix or Fafard. These are engineered to have the correct physical properties for drainage and porosity.
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Questions and Answers / Need better drainage for an EarthBox
« Last post by greatgardens on February 06, 2020, 07:52:35 am »
I have a problem with "water-logged" mix, and I'd like to find some mixes or recipes that give better drainage. Just adding more perlite doesn't seem to have much effect.  I seem to remember that there were some "specialty" blends posted here.  I've looked, but can't find them.  Can anyone point me to where they might be?  "hero member" Donald1800 may have been the poster, but I don't see an advanced search function on this forum. Thanks!
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Tips and Tricks / How to Harvest Perfect Produce
« Last post by joni barr on January 29, 2020, 12:10:45 pm »
Most folks work hard to grow their vegetables and fruits. Harvesting them properly is not just keeping them fresh and intact, but it ensures that you maximize the harvest itself.

It’s helpful to have a guide showing what the fruit or vegetable should look like when it’s ready to harvest. Knowing exactly when to pick can make all the difference in flavor and storability. While there are harvesting schedules on most seed packets, you shouldn’t be literal to the day. Maturity rates can vary each year depending on the growing conditions for the season. Visual and tactile cues are the most reliable way to know when your produce is ready to be picked.

Our blog site has a great article about Harvesting the Perfect Produce: https://blog.earthbox.com/how-to-harvest-perfect-produce

Your local garden center or county extension agent can help with advice on harvesting your crops: https://earthbox.com/cooperative-extension-list

To use the Cooperative Extension list click on any state and look for the county that you live in. They are one of the largest agricultural education systems in the world.
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Tips and Tricks / Choosing the Right Growing Media
« Last post by joni barr on January 22, 2020, 10:56:15 am »
Wondering how to pick the perfect mix for your EarthBox? Using the correct potting media is crucial for your garden’s success. Not all dirt is the same! Depending upon what area you live in, you will be looking at bags of potting media with different names or references. Some garden centers and chain stores have their own mixes. The most important thing to look at is the ingredients it contains. Pay attention to the ingredients; read the label carefully and look at the percentages, or the order the ingredients have been listed.

The growing media should be sphagnum peat based (70-95%) that contains perlite or vermiculite. The growing media should be light and fluffy when dry. It should be spongy when it’s wet. It should not contain any rock, clay, sand or soil. EarthBox does not recommend using topsoil or compost.

There is an article on our blog site addressing how to Choose the Right Growing Media: https://blog.earthbox.com/how-to-choose-the-right-growing-media

This article is broken down into:

     How to Find the Right Growing Media
     Why the Right Mix Matters
     Potting Mix vs. Potting Soil

EarthBox also has a “Recommended Growing Media” list on the website: https://earthbox.com/approved-for-earthbox This list also contains information regarding Approved Dolomite and Approved Plant Food.

For the best performance from your EarthBoxes, follow the setup instructions, planting guides and fertilizer guidelines. Following the instructions will give you a great start with your EarthBox garden!
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Introductions / Hello from Canada
« Last post by DjEclipse on January 16, 2020, 03:43:12 pm »
Hello all,

I figured I would introduce myself as a completely newbie grower trying the Earth Box ProBiotic Wellness Garden for the first time.  Since it is winter here I will be trying an indoor grow. 

I am the opposite of a green thumb but very excited about growing in the ProBiotic Wellness Garden as it is fully Organic and the watering systems seems great!  I am starting from seed and if all goes well will be transplanting in a few weeks.  :)

The people at EarthBox have been very helpful and friendly taking the time to answer all my newbie questions   :).
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Questions and Answers / Brown Tomato Stems
« Last post by pmkdo on January 10, 2020, 10:52:10 am »
I grow 2 boxes of Better Boy tomatoes very year, 2 plants per box,  and usually they do very well. The snack fixes BER. This year one of plants is growing poorly and the stems are turning brown. The other plant is the box is growing fine.

I do not see evidence of insects, altho I am not an experienced gardener and I could be missing subtle changes. I grow my plants in my pool cage, so insects are not usually a problem

Picture is attached

I appreciate any help
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Tips and Tricks / How to Combine Different Crops in the EarthBox
« Last post by joni barr on January 07, 2020, 12:20:54 pm »
Companion planting may seem simple at first, but you can’t just place any two species in the EarthBox gardening system. You need to know what will work together and what won’t work. If you have planted the wrong combination you could end up with problems in your garden.

EarthBox has a great article “How to Combine Different Crops in the EarthBox”: https://blog.earthbox.com/combining-crops-in-the-earthbox

There are general guidelines for combining crops in the EarthBox:

•   Never overcrowd the system. This is a common mistake folks starting out with the EarthBox for the first time.

•   Combine plants that have similar size and needs.

•   Try different varieties to see what you like best.

There is a section on Combination Successes – this portion of the article goes into detail about what combinations are successful.

Not every plant combination works in EarthBoxes. There is a list of what to avoid planting together.

There are some great combination themes as well. If you like a certain region’s style of cooking, try mixing up some of your favorite plants in one or two combination boxes.


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Introductions / Reintroducing from Chicago
« Last post by chicagoEB on December 31, 2019, 09:49:57 am »
Hello everyone and happy new years eve!

I am an intermittent earthboxer who is determined to do better in 2020! I have 11 earthboxes, in the city of chicago, on top of my balcony. This makes supporting top heavy plants or vining plants challenging. This is my current plan for 2020, please critique and offer suggestions.

#Plant TypeSubTypeVariety NameVendorYearGermination DateTransplant DateOutcome
1OkraWhite VelvetHeritage Seeds2020May 24 2020
2OkraStewart's ZeebestHeritage Seeds2020May 24 2020
3TomatoEarl's FauxHeritage Seeds2020March 22 2020
4TomatoDwarfJochalosHeritage Seeds2020March 22 2020
5EggplantKamoHeritage Seeds2020April 12 2020
6BeansPoleMarvel Of VeniceBakers Creek2020May 24 2020May 24 2020
7CucumbersRibbedSuyo longBakers Creek2020May 3 2020
8CornAmbrosia F1AP Whaley2020
9TomatoHybridBig BeefBurpee2020March 22 2020
10Eggplantheirloomlistada de gandiaAP Whaley2020April 12 2020
11BeansBushBlue Lake BushAP Whaley2020May 24 2020May 24 2020
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