Author Topic: New to Earthbox? Start Here  (Read 75136 times)

EarthBoxAdmin

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #15 on: June 14, 2017, 10:46:42 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Guest, alicemagooey. This was originally posted on April 13, 2009.

ATTN: do not use "hydrated lime"..
I think that may be a type of agricultural lime..but as I remember, that burns things badly.

I had no place to double check this information, but I am almost 100 percent sure it is correct.

I will go and try to check again and will edit this post if I am wrong.

alice

EarthBoxAdmin

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #16 on: June 14, 2017, 10:48:46 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, leigh. This was originally posted on April 16, 2009.

I want to thank the forum for information on how to get the extremely sticky frustrating label off the grid!! I was just about to call the company and complain...when I thought that perhaps others had had the same problem. I was delighted to find so many topics and guidance. Growing anything in the desert southwest is challenging. Perhaps the company will find a better way to deal with this problem.
Leigh

EarthBoxAdmin

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #17 on: June 14, 2017, 11:12:12 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, serafine. This was originally posted on April 25, 2009.

Well, for starter, I am probably responding on the wrong link. But I know the folks on here will forgive me. I just completed an exhaustive EB search to try and figure out all the solid as well as conflicting info on soil mixes for the EBs. So many folks on here offer great advice, but it left me a bit confused once I arrived at my local nursery, after calling first to enquire if they had a "peat based potting mix"---a statement made on the EB site under
Questions/Answers for "what kind of potting mixture should I use?"
Geez Louise! I love my local garden center folks, but they were so far from understanding the "EB" concept that I had to bite my tongue. In any event , I decided to try 2 different mixes, and will be tracking the results carefully, for my own sake and for my local nursery that I do so love, but who really needs some "proof" about EBs.
Looking for feedback from anyone: here's the 2 soil mixes I will be using and "judging":
Product #1
"Black Gold Waterhold Potting Soil":
this mix is formulated and contains a blend of:
50-60% Canadian sphagnum peat moss
coconut coir pith
one more of the following: pumice, cinders or perlite.
worm castinfs, dolomite lime and an organic wetting agent (yucca extract)
**Is there something I should add to cut down on what they call the "waterhold" status??
**Do I add dolomite to the tomatoes if I use for planting the toms???
=======================================================
Product #2
"Happy Frog": composted forest humus, soagnum peat moss, perlite, earthworm castings, bat guano, humic acid (derived from Leonardite), oyster shell and dolomite lime
**Do I add dolomite to the tomatoes if I use this for planting the toms??
=======================================================
Someone mentioned earlier "Gardeners Gold", which I also have used. It has a blend of: Fir bark fines, forest humus, peat moss, perlite, composted, chicken manure, worm castings, bat guano, kelp meal, oyster shell + dolomite lime this worked for me the last 2 years, but can I do better with either of the other new choices???

So confusing at times! I actually ran into my 79 yr. old mom at the nursery when I was buying the soils I just described. She was there to get some computers for HER EarthBox...and left with a fertilizer that was not in range that EB recommends (keeping the label numbers all between 5 and 15). The nursery swore by the fertilizer product, so well see what she ends up with! Its all about the adventure...my opinion. Still, I look forward to any responses!!

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #18 on: June 14, 2017, 11:13:20 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, alwayslearning. This user is located in SF Bay Area near SJ Zone 8b. This was originally posted on April 25, 2009.

If you were happy with how Gardeners Gold performed in your EBs previously, the others should work comparably.  Yes, you would still add the dolomite.

If you were not happy with your previous EB plant performance, then I suggest you skip the Happy Frog and buy or make your own mix of peat, perlite, & vermiculite for your second comparison box. 

I think Black Gold may be somewhat better than the Happy Frog, but I'm partial to peat.  Others use mixes made from forest products and get great results. too.  Not enough info on the labeling to tell the actual proportions, only that one ingredient is more plentiful than another.  Black Gold wont need un-waterholding.  Some experienced users on this forum use a peat/coir combination and recommend it.   

Its not uncommon to encounter nursery folks who understand traditional container gardening but who don't "get" the concept of wicking water from below or of Earthboxes in particular.  That's why experienced folks share their wisdom on this forum - so you know what, how, and why it works.

Please put your location and growing zone in your header so that when you post a new thread or response people can give you more localized & specific advice - see earlier messages in this thread for how to do it. 

EarthBoxAdmin

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #19 on: June 14, 2017, 11:14:05 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, JB. This user is located in Springfield, VA. This was originally posted on April 26, 2009.

I'm interested in a response to Serafines question about the waterhold property.  I'm using ProMix this time, and it feels a little heavier than last years mix. I'm wondering if I got it too damp.  And what happens if the mix is too wet initially--does it just wick less?

JB

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #20 on: June 14, 2017, 11:14:58 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, serafine. This was originally posted on April 26, 2009.

Thanks for the responses so far; I do appreciate each of them. I am trying to add my location to my profile, don't think its showing up yet, but for the member who asked about posting my location:  I live in northern CA, Paradise, about 90 minutes north of Sacramento. I'm told that our zones are "7b-9a".  Pamme

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #21 on: June 14, 2017, 11:15:44 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, alwayslearning. This user is located in SF Bay Area near SJ Zone 8b. This was originally posted on April 26, 2009.

Go get your location and growing zone to appear on your header:
Click on PROFILE above, then click on FORUM PROFILE INFORMATION which is under Modify Profile.  Copy the info you typed in under Location and paste it into PERSONAL TEXT, which is above the Birthdate line.  Click on Change Profile at the bottom right.

To check it, go into Summary, which is under Profile Info.  If your information appears in the large box to the right marked Picture/Text, it will appear in your header.

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #22 on: June 14, 2017, 11:16:54 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, mikeab1. This was originally posted on May 2, 2009.

I just purchased an Earthbox.  When putting potting mix in box, I accidently put a lot of dry potting mix through aerator holes in aerator screen.  So, this reservoir, that is supposed to hold water, has a lot of potting mix in it.  Do I need to start over?  Thank you.

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #23 on: June 14, 2017, 11:18:18 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, ecloud. This was originally posted on May 4, 2009.

Donald,
I ordered the AWS, but am having difficulty attaching the 1/4" tubing to the T-connectors. I've tried using Vasoline as was suggested in the instructions, but it did not help, Do you have any suggestions to help me? I appreciate any ideas that will make it easier for me.

Elizabeth

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #24 on: June 14, 2017, 11:22:35 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist The EartBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4. This was originally posted on May 4, 2009.

I am not Donald, but you can do this easily by dipping the ends of the tubing in hot water before trying to insert the barbs. Also we have found latex gloves (like the ones you use for housework) really help to grip the parts.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2017, 11:24:47 am by EarthBoxDD »

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #25 on: June 14, 2017, 11:24:28 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, JB. This user is located in Springfield, VA. This was originally posted on May 4, 2009.

Mikeab1:

I think your question may have been overlooked by some of the eagle eyes who know more than me.  I'm not sure how much mix falling through is "a lot."  I think its normal for some of the mix to fall through. The very first box I did had that happen and everything still turned out fine.  For my next boxes, I mixed water and mix outside of the earthbox and then put it in.  Less fell through that way.  If you're really concerned and your mix above the reservoir is good and moist so that it can stay fairly well in place, you might try tipping the box to get all the water out (or use a siphon), then refill.

Ill let others chime in.

JB

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #26 on: June 14, 2017, 11:25:53 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, ecloud. This was originally posted on May 4, 2009.

Kathy,

Thanks for the help. I will try using the hot water and globes tomorrow.

Elizabeth

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #27 on: June 14, 2017, 11:28:31 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Guest, cushman350. This was originally posted on May 4, 2009.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, mikeab1. This was originally posted on May 2, 2009.

I just purchased an Earthbox.  When putting potting mix in box, I accidently put a lot of dry potting mix through aerator holes in aerator screen.  So, this reservoir, that is supposed to hold water, has a lot of potting mix in it.  Do I need to start over?  Thank you.

I really wouldn't worry about it. Unless I'm under estimating your version of "a lot".

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #28 on: June 14, 2017, 11:30:28 am »
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 May 4, 2009.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, mikeab1. This was originally posted on May 2, 2009.

I just purchased an Earthbox.  When putting potting mix in box, I accidently put a lot of dry potting mix through aerator holes in aerator screen.  So, this reservoir, that is supposed to hold water, has a lot of potting mix in it.  Do I need to start over?  Thank you.

Just run water into the fill tub and let it overflow for a good 30 seconds or so to flush out the mix. No big deal...

Mickie

Dominic Gabriel

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Re: New to Earthbox? Start Here
« Reply #29 on: October 11, 2018, 06:31:17 pm »
Mosquito dunks?
Do you drop 'em down the tube, put out little trays of water, or what?