View Single Post
Old December 13, 2017   #112
ginger2778
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10
Posts: 9,283
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gardadore View Post
How do you Solaris the boxes? Do you remove the soil and then put it back? Do you use a clear plastic? I’ve never done that but it sounds like a good idea. I usually replace about a third and all every few years. But I don’t grow many tomatoes in the E boxes - maybe a couple of Dwarfs. Your results seem to be consistently awesome!
I get the Husky clear 3 mil thick trash bags(Amazon) and take the cage off, put the EB in it, then zip tie it closed, and I leave it during the heat of summer, about 2 months. Barb_FL did an experiment with EBs solarized in clear plastic, and in black plastic. The black ones got to 108F, the clear got into the 130s. Clear does a better job of letting the sun rays through. Classic greenhouse effect.
I haven't replaced entire potting mix yet, just digging out the fertilizer strip, replenishing with new dolomite and a new fert strip, then topping it off to make the bread loaf shape. Then new mulch cover.
ginger2778 is offline   Reply With Quote