Giving Up on Earth Boxes

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, Nicholas@mindspring.com.
This was originally posted on August 19, 2013.

I thought we were to use potting mix instead of potting soil. Anyway I too had many problems with my earth boxes until I stopped taking advice from my garden center. Now I am feeding my family all summer. I still can't grow tomatoes though but greens are great!

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, cushman350. This user is located in Tomato Hell, Wichita Falls, TX Zone 7b. This was originally posted on August 20, 2013.

NO "REAL" SOIL.

Sometimes the label brand name says soil but its actually just container mix. But the big nono's are real dirt/soil. They turn an EB into a death trap bog. Just another container instead of a growing system.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Active Member, vkelman. This user is located in MD, Zone 7. This was originally posted on August 24, 2013.

This year I ORDERED(no one seemed to have it in stock) the ProMix BX from a local hydroponics store and have been harvesting so many tomatoes, I wish I knew how to can!!! I find that the hydro stores have more of a selection and are more knowledgeable about EB's and other alternative ways of growing than the garden centers. One bale of BX goes a long way too.

Corinne,
Do you know if a particular type of Premier Horticulture mixes is better than others for growing tomatoes [in Earthbox containers]? How did you choose one?

Approved Growing Media page lists
Premier Horticulture Pro-Mix BX
Premier Horticulture Pro-Mix for Potting & Seeding
Premier Horticulture Pro-Mix Ultimate Organic Mix
Premier Horticulture Bio-Max Garden Mix 3-in-1
Premier Horticulture LiteWay Potting Soil

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, OzzMan. This user is located in SE Penn, Zone 6B. This was originally posted on September 1, 2013.

I know it has been touched on before, but don't think 'soil'. Start thinking and saying 'growing medium'. I know it sounds anal retentive, which I am :-), but I believe that therein lies the big reason for the failure. If you stop thinking 'soil', you will stop shopping for it and look only at products call 'growing medium'.

I agree, avoid products that contain the word "soil". It should be potting mix or medium and without "soil". Good-intention garden center people who don't understand how EB work may not be helpful.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on September 1, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, OzzMan. This user is located in SE Penn, Zone 6B. This was originally posted on September 1, 2013.

I know it has been touched on before, but don't think 'soil'. Start thinking and saying 'growing medium'. I know it sounds anal retentive, which I am :-), but I believe that therein lies the big reason for the failure. If you stop thinking 'soil', you will stop shopping for it and look only at products call 'growing medium'.

I agree, avoid products that contain the word "soil". It should be potting mix or medium and without "soil". Good-intention garden center people who don't understand how EB work may not be helpful.

Just a reminder here....

Terminology is a tricky thing. "Soil" can be that stuff that's in the ground that makes up the media that plants grow well in (or not).

"Soil" can also just be a word on a bag of growing media.

Is it good stuff, or is it to be avoided? It seems that depending on where it is produced and sold, the name "soil" can mean either. The ingredients will reveal the answer. We've already covered what the ingredients should or should not be... just understand that the name on the bag doesn't tell the story.

We prefer, for communication purposes, to say potting MIX or MEDIA rather than SOIL. It will avoid having these endlessly repetitive discussions as seen here.

Mickie