Washing Potting Mix in EB

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, peter_fla_usa. This user is located in April 4, 2013.

2nd try at a post. Anyone do this Blake says it helps get rid of salts...

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist, over 45 years in the business. The EarthBox[ Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4. This was originally posted on April 4, 2013.

If you use a good natural based fertilizer, your salt build up isn't as bad as it would be with the synthetic fertilizer Blake uses, also removing the top layer of potting mix every her, helps since that is where the majority of the salt accumulates. I myself, would not "wash my potting mix" and I am going on year 6 and year 7 on some of my potting mix.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Active Member, DonAndRene. This user is located in McKinney, TX; Zone 8a. This was originally posted on April 21, 2013.

This topic has been touched on in multiple posts lately and may deserve a mention in a FAQ somewhere.

It sounds like organic fertilizers do not have the salt buildup that synthetic ones do, and may not require scooping out the media where the strip is each year.

This this true? If so, that would be another reason to switch to organic, especially sine I am planning to start using Pro Mix BX in all my future earthboxes.

Thanks!

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, cushman350. This user is located in Tomato, Wichita Falls, TX Zone 7b. This was originally posted on April 22, 2013.

Rinsing of the substrate is possible by simply flooding the entire EB, up to the top and then letting gravity drain it. Helpful or not, who knows? I do know some really brown fine "tea" always comes out. Maybe it opens up air spaces in the potting mix as to not get anaerobic and swampy.

When I refresh a box, I super wet the mix as a way to kick start the wicking process, instead of waiting for wicking to occur on its own.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, movrshakr. This user is located in Zone 10a - near Cape Canaveral. This was originally posted on April 22,
2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Active Member, DonAndRene. This user is located in McKinney, TX; Zone 8a. This was originally posted on April 21, 2013.

It sounds like organic fertilizers do not have the salt buildup that synthetic ones do, and may not require scooping out the media where the strip is each year.

This this true? If so, that would be another reason to switch to organic, especially sine I am planning to start using Pro Mix BX in all my future earthboxes.

Thanks!

Yes, essentially true if real organics are used.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, cmayes71. This user is located in Tennessee, Zone 7. This was originally posted on April 30, 2013.

I know it has been said that you can reuse potting mix for seven years but I have wondered if I should change it.  I did not have great luck the year before last.  We had bad weather.  bug problems, etc.  My beans had spots on the leaves.  Last year was a pretty good year.  It would definitely be easier if I could reuse the mix.  I think I am only on my third year.

Cindy

[EarthBoxAdmin]

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 April 30, 2013.

Changing out the mix won't change the weather. The bugs will still come. Spots on the beans' leaves are not unusual... you still got beans, right? New mix will set you back $$$ and will reopen the BER conditions that often occur with first year boxes.

As long as you fluff up the mix and replenish any you removed, get as much mileage as you can. I'm going on year 8, and haven't had to totally replace any mix. Annually replacing a percentage of the mix seems to work out for me.

Mickie

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on April 30, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, cmayes71. This user is located in Tennessee, Zone 7. This was originally posted on April 30, 2013.

I know it has been said that you can reuse potting mix for seven years but I have wondered if I should change it.  I did not have great luck the year before last.  We had bad weather.  bug problems, etc.  My beans had spots on the leaves.  Last year was a pretty good year.  It would definitely be easier if I could reuse the mix.  I think I am only on my third year.

Cindy

This year I am experimenting with using a 3:2:1 ratio mix of the old potting mix, pine bark fines, and perlite in my boxes. My old potting mix was becoming very soggy and I feel like it needed to be fluffed up with the additives. I know this is not recommend by earthbox, but I have read a lot of stuff from people who do this in their homemade SWCs with great success. So far it's working really well for my broccoli, chard, and kale. I still haven't gotten my Summer crops planted yet, so I will have to report back later on that.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, cushman350. This user is located in Tomato Hell, Wixhita Falls, TX Zone 7b. This was originally posted on April 30, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on April 30, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, cmayes71. This user is located in Tennessee, Zone 7. This was originally posted on April 30, 2013.

I know it has been said that you can reuse potting mix for seven years but I have wondered if I should change it.  I did not have great luck the year before last.  We had bad weather.  bug problems, etc.  My beans had spots on the leaves.  Last year was a pretty good year.  It would definitely be easier if I could reuse the mix.  I think I am only on my third year.

Cindy

This year I am experimenting with using a 3:2:1 ratio mix of the old potting mix, pine bark fines, and perlite in my boxes. My old potting mix was becoming very soggy and I feel like it needed to be fluffed up with the additives. I know this is not recommend by earthbox, but I have read a lot of stuff from people who do this in their homemade SWCs with great success. So far it's working really well for my broccoli, chard, and kale. I still haven't gotten my Summer crops planted yet, so I will have to report back later on that.

There's denying what works, works.