Frog in EarthBox

[Kinderpirty]

I think we have a frog living in the water of my EarthBoxes. It may have been there last year, as well. We saw it go from one box into another tonight. Anyone else ever experience this? Occasionally we hear it croaking.

[gardendoc]

We always have frogs in the reservoir tubes, sometimes every single one

[gardendoc]

Last fall I was prepping an EarthBox for planting onions and this guy came out of the reservoir tube and scared the crap out of me

[Kinderpirty]

Strange question, but I’ve read that frogs can carry salmonella. So, if they live in the water reservoir, can that be passed into my growing vegetables?

[gardendoc]

I wouldn't be concerned about the frogs. You would be shocked at the types and variety of critters that run around all of our gardens at night.

[Kinderpirty]

Thanks!

[CathyM]

I know this post is very old, but I'm new here and just read it.  Regarding creatures in the box, I was forewarned by watching several videos, one with a snake in the box (gardendoc), and two more from other people with frogs and snails.  Hoping to prevent that (especially the snakes!), I cut some wire screen mesh to cover the overflow inside and attached it with silicone.  I also cover the watering pipe with the toe end of an old sock held onto the pipe with an elastic pony tail holder.  I am hoping this will not only keep out creepy crawlies but also eliminate mosquitoes breeding in the water.  This is my very first time using an EarthBox, hoping all will go well.

[gardendoc]

CathyM, the creepies can get in there through the overflow opening. I've never seen anything real bad and we live on a drainage easement in south Mississippi

[CathyM]

Hi, prof Bachman, thanks for the comment.  I mentioned that I had glued a piece of mesh wire over the overflow with silicone to hopefully prevent something creepy from entering.  I pretty much am expecting a clog someday from the mix getting stuck in there, but I'd rather dump the box occasionally than to encounter a snake, eek!

I packed the corners with soil enclosed in a section of pantyhose to try and keep that part of the soil from merging into the reservoir, so maybe it will be a while before I run into clog issues. 

Right now, I have eight very nice lettuces growing, seem to be doing well.

Your videos from the Heritage Cottage Urban Nano Farm are very helpful, thanks a bunch.