I'm female and I put these bootleg earthboxes together
using directions from this site...
http://www.josho.com/Earthbox.htm
Cost per box... about $11, before plants n' soil mix.
I use Lambert's potting mix from Home Depot.
I used the Espoma Tomato Tone organic fertilizer.
I used the Espoma lime product that was on clearance
sale @ Lowe's.
My plants grew like they were on steroids! Believe me!
I had a basis for comparison.
My 1st garden attempt last Spring was in traditional containers.
I grew Sweet 100 cherry and Brandywine tomatoes. In
retrospect, I realize the yield was measley.
In my Fall garden, I have about 9 bootleg earthboxes...
and planning to create another 2-3 for seedlings that I
got growing now.
I highly recommend the self-watering containers for those
with small urban gardens or very poor soil.