Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, Eric-02476. This user is located in Zone 6A, Eastern MA. This was originally posted on May 24, 2014.Interesting, excellent results with biological techniques and no fertilizer strip. So there is definitely life in the media converting organic material into useable nutrients. Bravo.
Yes, I think this is a better test of the question than using an organic fertilizer strip such as the EB Organic fert or the Espoma "Tones," as there is even less of a question of any nutrients being quickly available.
That said, as I recently posted on another thread, it seems obvious to me that microbial life in the media certainly can and does convert organic fertilizers into nutrients that are available to the plant - I have 20 boxes going now, 100% organic and the plants are absolutely thriving. They'd quickly starve otherwise. The issue, as Sun City Linda regularly points out, is that organic boxes are more work and more expensive, and results can be inconsistent, especially with tomatoes. Ill see how mine do this season, I'm trying some new things in the media besides my usual Espoma Garden Tone for the fert strip.
Having hijacked the thread a bit, I will now echo Cushmans admiration for the success so far of this unorthodox system and hope we get updates. Before Linda takes me to task, please note I am curious and intrigued, not suggesting this sort of thing is appropriate for the masses to try
