Recent Posts

21

Questions and Answers / Re: Strawberries

« Last post by gardendoc on June 06, 2018, 06:28:44 am »

If you can provide more information it would be helpful in trying to help

22

Questions and Answers / Strawberries

« Last post by SherylDeanne on June 05, 2018, 09:15:36 pm »

I planted 4 EB's a couple weeks ago, one with strawberries.  At first they just thrived but now, suddenly the leaves are dying.  One plant died within 3 days.  I followed all instructions and am keeping the reservoir full of water.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Thank you for any help you can give.

23

Questions and Answers / Snap peas

« Last post by Teagan on June 02, 2018, 12:55:22 pm »

Has anyone had luck planting snap peas? Do they need a trellis?

24

Questions and Answers / Re: ph problem

« Last post by tankertoad on June 01, 2018, 04:11:45 pm »

Thanks for the reply and suggestion.  I set my boxes up exactly as recommended and used Earthbox potting mix, dolomite, and fertilizer.  I also regularly use the snack in the form of Greenway ammonium calcium nitrate, at 15.5-0-0 and 19% calcium.

25

Questions and Answers / Re: ph problem

« Last post by gardendoc on June 01, 2018, 07:10:15 am »

Just make sure you add enough dolomite every time you plant tomatoes. The snack is 1 tsp calcium nitrate

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Questions and Answers / ph problem

« Last post by tankertoad on May 31, 2018, 03:18:57 pm »

My well water has a naturally high ph (close to 8 ).  Is there a technique to mitigate that issue for tomatoes grown in an Earthbox container?

Also, am I intensifying the ph issue by using ammonium calcium nitrate weekly to prevent blossom end rot?

Thanks

27

Questions and Answers / Re: Texas Summers

« Last post by Beau in Austin on May 29, 2018, 09:52:41 am »

One of the things I've appreciated as a new Earthbox gardener is the lack of drooping at the end of the day, compared to growing in the ground. So far, as long as I fill the boxes with water twice a day, they're still looking proud around sunset.

On the other hand I've read that one of the ways to improve the flavor of fruits and vegetables is to cut back on watering before harvesting, and that doesn't seem entirely doable with an EB.

28

Questions and Answers / Re: Texas Summers

« Last post by tankertoad on May 28, 2018, 08:32:14 pm »

I'm about 25 miles northwest of Austin, near Leander, so this rural setting probably won't experience the heat island effect, if you live in Austin proper, that'll take temps to 106 next week. However, I did go ahead and got a 6X10 shade cloth. My setup is two boxes inside a repurposed 6Wx10Lx6H chain link dog run to keep deer and other critters at bay, so the 6x10 shade was perfect. Not sure yet if it's just psychological or not, but the plants don't seem as droopy by the early evening as they did. Time will tell if there's any adverse effect on blooming, fruit set, or ripening.

29

Questions and Answers / Re: Texas Summers

« Last post by Beau in Austin on May 28, 2018, 02:28:54 pm »

In a similar boat here in Austin where we're forecast to hit 106 later this week. So far so good though, watering the tomato boxes twice a day and have picked about 70 tomatoes from 4 plants with more still ripening. Getting fairly full sun in a small section of the yard, roughly 9AM to 6PM.

Being this hot this early in the season is not cool.

30

Questions and Answers / Texas Summers

« Last post by tankertoad on May 27, 2018, 01:15:01 am »

I'm a first-time Earthbox user (Zone 8b):

Do any of the experienced Earthbox users here who live in hot climates have any experience with trying to use 50% garden shade fabric to mitigate the intense sun/heat of southern summers?

Of course, at a certain point, fruit set will end due to temperature, but I'm looking toward possibly being able to carry over my plants into cooler temperatures as Fall approaches.  My guess is, the best approach will likely be to start in early August with new transplants and use the garden shade to protect them then.

Thanks.