What is the best method?

[LuvTomatoes]

Hi all.  I've used my Earth Box for the past 6 years but I'm wondering what is the best method for putting on the mulch cover?  I've had 2 tomato plants in one box and the past 2 years I switched to one tomato plant and one sweet red pepper plant.  If I plant first and install the cover afterward, making holes at the plant locations, it's a bit difficult.  If I put the cover on first and cut the cover to be able to plant, I need to keep widening the openings.

This year I'm going to start a 2nd box with 3 pepper plants on one side and 4 bush bean plants on the other.  Putting the mulch cover on this type of configuration will be challenging.  I'm wondering what other Earth Box users do.  Thanks for any and all input.

[pepperhead212]

I always cut a cross + in the cover, and just separate the parts and plant the seedling in there.  When they are much larger, I simply cut the cross larger, though sometimes, it gets sort of difficult.  Last season, i had to keep some peppers indoors much longer than normal (and re-pot them again!), due to cold, and had pots with over 3 cups of mix in them, so I removed some of the mix in the EB, and set the plants in the holes, and packed it around them.  For small rootballs, I don't bother with this.

[Tag]

I would not plant bush beans and peppers in the same EB. The beans will grow much faster than the peppers and overpower them.

I always install the cover 1st then plant. I've never had to widen the openings in the cover once planted. I make the opening big enough for the mature plant. The plants, if the stems are large enough will stretch the opening if need be.

[gardendoc]

Here's a video I shot several years ago discussing EB setup and cutting holes. If you're interested in the hole cutters I use PM me.

https://youtu.be/86ZdcdIozGg

[LuvTomatoes]

I know this is an old thread but I wanted to let Tag know that the 3 Cubanelle pepper plants and 2 Blue Lake bush bean plants worked very well in the same box.  The beans did not take over at all

[Texas.Micky]

Thanks for the followup.

I've had boxes with pairings that come out against the traditional wisdom at times also.

Catnip beating out Mint for example. A friend of mine has the cats.