Recent Posts

21

Questions and Answers / Has Anyone Grown Zucchini Successfully in an EarthBox?

« Last post by Nick1212 on June 24, 2020, 09:27:49 pm »

Are zucchinis a good vegetable to grow in an EarthBox?

Can you grow regular zucchini, not bush type? If so, how many zucchini plants per EarthBox is optimal?

Can zucchinis be grown vertically, where it does not droop out and over Earthbox, but is supported vertically? If so, did you use the staking system with net that EarthBox offers, or make your own staking system out of wood or something?

Thank you, Nick

22

Questions and Answers / Re: Too much watering

« Last post by gardendoc on June 24, 2020, 05:22:11 pm »

The EB reservoir holds 2 gallons, 2 tomato plants will use 2 gallons a day. When are you watering and do you water to overflow

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Questions and Answers / Too much watering

« Last post by DennyC on June 24, 2020, 05:01:28 pm »

I have 2 tomato plants in one earth box. I have to water them twice each day to keep them from withering. Is this normal? Shouldn’t the earth box hold enough moisture for an entire day?

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Questions and Answers / Re: Use of ammonium calcium nitrate

« Last post by tankertoad on June 23, 2020, 10:49:11 pm »

I imagine the issue arises from a response from you (unless "gardendoc" isn't a specific individual) to a question I asked which started this thread.  I asked if foliar feeding of ammonium calcium nitrate had any impact on blossom end rot.  Part of the answer was "One tsp calcium nitrate is better than the ammonium form."  That threw me a curve, as I think it did "kitty grandma", but since I couldn't find calcium nitrate that didn't have 1% ammoniacal nitrogen, I did some research and finally decided to use the Greenway Biotech product since it was used in hydroponic gardening.

I don't understand a lot of things that come out of California.

Thanks again.

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Questions and Answers / Re: Use of ammonium calcium nitrate

« Last post by gardendoc on June 23, 2020, 04:40:14 pm »

Point taken, 14.5 % nitrate, 1% ammonium. Why is this an issue with the ammonium content? I don't think you'll find any farm or ag grade w/o the NH4, maybe try Fisher Scientific. I don't I understand the insane California labeling.

26

Questions and Answers / Pruning Tomato plants

« Last post by tankertoad on June 23, 2020, 04:15:04 pm »

I live in central Texas and use Earthboxes for tomatoes.  Typically, temperatures both at night and in the daytime in July, August, and maybe some of September hinder and/or stop pollination/fruit set.  Are there any suggestions about carrying over the plants into fall through the period when fruit likely won't be produced during the hottest days of summer?  I guess what I'm really asking is if I should prune the plants (Celebrity) back, and if so, how severely to prune?

I have considered replanting with an early producer like Early Girl, but tomato transplant availability in mid-summer around where I am is nonexistent as far as I know.  I haven't started my own from seed yet, but that may be the only real solution.

Thanks

27

Questions and Answers / Re: Use of ammonium calcium nitrate

« Last post by tankertoad on June 23, 2020, 03:26:50 pm »

In my experience, there is no such thing on the market as "plain old calcium nitrate."  Labels may say "Calcium Nitrate", but all calcium nitrate out there for gardening, again as far as my research on the issue is concerned, has ammonium as a constituent in the form "1% Ammoniacal Nitrogen".  The brand I use, Greenway Biotech", says its label of "Ammonium Calcium Nitrate" is because California requires the use of ammoniacal nitrogen to be noted in its name.  Greenway's (which is used in hydroponic gardening and is readily water-soluble) and all other brands I have checked, which is quite a few, include 1% ammoniacal nitrogen in the constituent label, regardless of whether or not the name on the item says it is "ammonium calcium nitrate" or just "calcium nitrate".  That should make your search for what you need much easier.

Of course, if someone can give me a brand that does not include 1% ammoniacal nitrogen and is easily completely soluble in water (hygroscopic), I will gladly be receptive to that information.

Thanks

28

Questions and Answers / Re: Use of ammonium calcium nitrate

« Last post by gardendoc on June 22, 2020, 05:02:25 pm »

Yes, plain old calcium nitrate, get at your local independent garden center of feed store

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Questions and Answers / Re: Use of ammonium calcium nitrate

« Last post by kitty grandma on June 22, 2020, 10:37:06 am »

Is there a source for non-ammonia calcium nitrate? Thanks

30

Tips and Tricks / Re: Anyone have Experience with Dwarf Tomatos in Earthbox or Senior?

« Last post by shrinkrap on June 20, 2020, 12:18:36 am »

Here are my dwarfs right now.