Recent Posts

21

Questions and Answers / Re: Mounding potting mix on top of fertilizer... is 5 inches too much?

« Last post by gardendoc on June 11, 2023, 06:24:30 am »

I had the good fortune to meet and talk with Blake before he passed away. He always told me to make that mound and put the fertilizer strip on top of the mound. If you're using organic fertilizer then burying into the mound as you describe would be fine. If inorganic like 10-10-10, I believe burying will cause the fertilizer to release the nutrients too quickly. In this case I would redo the EB.

Here's a video I shot a couple of years ago putting the mix in and then discuss the fertilizer strip placement, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NYiXr98w_Y

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Questions and Answers / Mounding potting mix on top of fertilizer... is 5 inches too much?

« Last post by robstur on June 09, 2023, 06:43:38 pm »

I'm just setting up some new EB's, and following the instructions that came with it to mound up the potting mix 5 inches above the fertilizer. Someone commented on Youtube under the official set up video, that such a mound over the fertilizer would result in the fertilizer being too low in the system and burning the plants, and suggested watching the videos by Blake and Dorothy.

I watched those old videos and Blake said fertilizer salts rise to the top and so you want the fertilizer near the top of the surface. He didn't appear to mound the soil up much ... a little, but nothing that looked like the 4-6 inches recommended currently in EB's current instructions.

Of course, I just finished making beautiful 5 inch mounds over top of my fertilizer (synthetic) bands, and now I'm wondering if I need to re-do things before I plant.

What do you experienced growers think about the 4-6 inch mounds? Are they of benefit? Do they create problems with the salts from fertilizers?

Thanks.

23

Questions and Answers / Re: EB is leaking

« Last post by LuvTomatoes on June 05, 2023, 12:32:36 pm »

I do have the wheel kit for the staking system but the leaks are not coming from that area.  I removed the wheel system yesterday so the box is flat against the cement patio, thinking this would slow the leak a bit.  I'll post more after seeing the results over a few days.

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Questions and Answers / Re: EB is leaking

« Last post by gardendoc on June 04, 2023, 05:54:02 pm »

Do you have the wheel kit? I read posts about leaks at the places where the wheels attach.

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Questions and Answers / Re: EB is leaking

« Last post by LuvTomatoes on June 01, 2023, 03:46:52 pm »

It's not the overflow.  After adding water in the morning, there was still a large puddle later in the afternoon.  I cannot see the bottom of the box but I put a mirror underneath, as best I could.  Small drips seem to be coming out in at least 3 different areas, right down the middle of the length of the box.
I purchased a new EB kit and will set it up and then move my 4 pepper plants.  They are still small enough that I'll be able to do so, without much harm!!! (I hope)

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Questions and Answers / Re: EB is leaking

« Last post by gardendoc on June 01, 2023, 02:36:59 pm »

Is there a crack in the EB or is water dribbling out the overflow?

27

Questions and Answers / Re: Removable fittings for AWS?

« Last post by thefist on June 01, 2023, 08:24:23 am »

Thanks.   That may have been what I saw. 

28

Questions and Answers / EB is leaking

« Last post by LuvTomatoes on May 31, 2023, 03:58:05 pm »

My 2nd standard EB which is more than 5 years old is leaking water.  It was fine after I planted my 4 pepper plants on May 7th and just started leaking today.  There are 3 small drips coming out from the middle bottom of the box.  Now what?  I'm at the very beginning of the growing season and I'm sure these leaks will get worse.
Thanks for any assistance!
Chris

29

Questions and Answers / Re: Row covers for Earthbox?

« Last post by tds1 on May 27, 2023, 06:02:25 pm »

Thank you again!
I ordered 4' x 250' roll of the row cover in black and white from place above.
It came well packaged in a 4' long box.
It was easy to unroll, and I cut a 3' length, so I had a piece about 4' x 3'.
I then cut that in half, so each piece was 2' x 3'.
I bought Alliance 17" rubber bands off Amazon to secure them to the Earthbox.
The 17" bands are the perfect size, and tightly secure the row cover under the earth box lip.
It was super easy, and they are very secure.
Great solution!

30

Questions and Answers / Re: Watering frequency for tomatoes

« Last post by CathyM on May 27, 2023, 05:03:20 pm »

"Now the EarthBox system provides a consistent root zone moisture level and many time only the first fruit will develop BER. This is primarily the incidence when using garden center transplants where it is common for the grower to limit watering, resulting in the transplants receiving inconsistent (wet/dry cycles) before the home gardener even buys the transplants."

I realize this is an old post, but I just now came across it.  The quote above from gardendoc makes absolutely perfect sense.  Inconsistent watering at the retail level before customer purchase.  That never occurred to me.