Author Topic: GardenDoc Tips  (Read 105078 times)

ErnieHodge

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #90 on: May 14, 2020, 07:58:42 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Psyche. This user is located in Zone 7a, Maryland. This was originally posted on May 3, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, gardendoc. This user is located in Ocean Springs, MS Zone 9a. This was originally posted on May 3, 2013.

Weve been having the conversation about supporting peppers lately, so I wanted to show everyone how I use the Ultimato. This works well for peppers as well as eggplants

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS6U2ILvYxs&feature=youtu.be

Thanks for the video. That was easier than I thought.

What is the spacing of the ultomato for 6 plants? The two in the middle would be under a span.

I know this is an old thread but I just wanted to say I went and priced the Ultimato system yesterday. I'd like to know if anyone who uses EB's could justify $50 a box for this staking system?

I guess these things may have really gone UP in price since we started using EB's in the early 2000's.

Does anyone else find this price high for this staking system?
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gardendoc

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #91 on: May 14, 2020, 11:19:48 am »
Ernie, the Ultimato is expensive. I was lucky about 10 years ago Lowes was end of the season dumping of theirs and I bought 65 sets for $1.75 each.
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ErnieHodge

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #92 on: May 15, 2020, 09:22:33 am »
I could live with a deal like that. I have the pea fence cages made up for my 23 EB's but was just thinking about trying the Ultimato for peppers. I'll stick with the pea fence cages for now. Thanks for letting me know.
"A rose is just a weed in a corn patch."

gardendoc

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #93 on: May 15, 2020, 11:23:28 am »
The Ultimato works pretty good for peppers, has issues with tomatoes
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Sizzle

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #94 on: May 17, 2020, 09:29:49 am »
You’ve got this down to a science! So inspiring! Would you share brand names for dolomite & fertilizers- I’m a newbie & have no idea what pelletized and ag grade product you’re talking about but I have 12 boxes so it’s got to be cheap!? Thanks so much for the video-exciting to see your “know how!””

gardendoc

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #95 on: May 17, 2020, 12:44:13 pm »
Thanks, garden or lawn lime pelletier and ag grade fertilizer is something like 10-10-10
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shrinkrap

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #96 on: May 21, 2020, 11:57:35 pm »
I have something that looks like the Ultimato (not sure; I bought it when I was planting in the ground); how do the spikey parts at the bottom work with the earthbox thing that separates the soil from the water? Does it sit on top, or work it's way through the holes?

gardendoc

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #97 on: May 22, 2020, 03:23:31 pm »
Only push down until it hits the reservoir screen. For tomatoes it may not provide enough support, but works fine for peppers and eggplants
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Bluebird

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #98 on: March 22, 2022, 10:22:43 am »
Good morning gardendoc, I apologize that I don’t quite know yet where to post my questions. So I was reading some of your tips and tricks. Accidentally yesterday I tried to post a comment but I replied to myself which is not what I wanted to do. I looked at one of your videos regarding planting tomatoes and your fertilizer strip was down the center of the box. And to avoid asking you a question that I’m sure many have asked I searched “fertilizer strip placement” but it took me back to you. So I apologize. If anyone has tips on how to navigate I would appreciate.
Meanwhile I am curious as to what your technique for fertilizer strip placement is now. Also, when I removed one of my covers yesterday from last year‘s planting it was not completely obvious to me where the strip is. Should I visibly be able to see the old fertilizer strip? (If I went right by the instructions I guess I can assume that the strip was along the front of the box and the 2 tomatoes were placed in the back right and left corners) Maybe I’m better off since this is only my second year, just removing the top two or 3 inches of soil in the box? Thank you

CathyM

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #99 on: March 22, 2022, 10:31:57 am »
Bluebird, I think gardendoc uses his own innovations sometimes, but here are the "official" plant placement guides for each of the different boxes.  https://earthbox.com/learning-center/plant-placement-charts

Bluebird

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #100 on: March 22, 2022, 10:22:14 pm »
Thank you Cathy and yes I have that chart since it came with the replanting kit and that is the plant placement and fertilizer strip placement that I used last year on my original box. But I looked at gardendoc’s video and he put the fertilizer strip straight down the center of the box and the tomatoes in opposite corners of the box. So I am trying to determine where the fertilizer strip should be from all of you with experience when replanting a box. Have you read or seen videos regarding this? I guess I could post a new question I just hate to post stuff that has been answered many times.

gardendoc

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #101 on: March 23, 2022, 10:08:25 am »
Bluebird, the exact fertilizer placement isn't critical. I have placed it down the center lengthwise, up against the edge lengthwise and as you've pointed out in the center across the middle. Don't get hung up, the fertilizer placement is really dictated by the crop you're growing
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gardendoc

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #102 on: March 23, 2022, 10:09:10 am »
For example, arugula versus tomatoes
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Bluebird

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #103 on: March 23, 2022, 03:23:08 pm »
Perfect, gardendoc and thank you for your help. Before I saw your reply I replanted one of my boxes with two tomatoes based on the replanting diagram which was same as last year. Good to know that the fertilizer strip placement is not critical and I may experiment with my second box and do it differently.

I’m still a little unsure of myself about not pulling the whole box apart just to check all parts and then reusing some of the soil and replanting. Mainly because people have mentioned roots and I don’t want anything obstructing the holes and interfering with the proper function of it all. But when I dug through the dirt in my first box, large roots were not a problem and I did check the watering tube for any obstructive debris. Oh well, live and learn, right? I used to work with a surgeon and whenever I would say, “wow, interesting, I didn’t know that”, his standard reply would be “well, every day’s a school day”. He was right and I think of that often.

I hope to have time this afternoon to look around on the forum and see if I can find posts regarding indeterminate versus determinate tomato plants. My biggest question is do the determinate varieties tend to be less of a challenge to stake due to slightly smaller at maturity plants or is that a myth? Last year I planted indeterminant and although fruitful they were a nightmare to support. Mainly because I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and now I have a little experience. I mean I knew they would get big and would need staking or a trellis of some sort but I had no idea how big.

Anyway, thanks for your help:)

gardendoc

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Re: GardenDoc Tips
« Reply #104 on: March 24, 2022, 01:40:45 pm »
Bluebird, thanks. I grow primarily determinate and you do have to stake them
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