Earthbox vs Earthtainer

[sordave]

I have had been researching SWC for some time and have decided to give it a shot this year. Looking at the cost of the Earthtainer at around $35 plus labor vs the Earthbox at $30 and no labor I am confused. I figured the homemade solution would be cheaper and that was why they seem so popular. Also, the Earthbox seems to be more durable to outdoor environment and UV rays. What is the advantage of the Earthtainer over Earthbox?

[rnewste]

Dave,

There is no simple "one is better than the other" answer.

I own both, and each has their unique properties.

First, some questions. If you are NOT handy with power tools or have good hand / arm strength to do the sawing, cutting then you have just eliminated the EarthTainer option. Second, what are you wanting to grow? Everything I've tried to grow in the EarthBox does fine, with the exception of Sweetcorn (for me).

There is an old expression: "Size Matters!" I have found a somewhat linear relationship when growing in Containers, that the more soil in the vessel, the larger the plant will grow. The EarthBox holds approx 1.6 cubic feet of Mix while the EarthTainer holds approx 3.0 cubic feet of Mix.

The EarthTainer III design provides the construction option for a rigidly attached cage. Not sure what cage system is available with the latest version of the EarthBox. Go on their website to check what options are available.

The EarthBox is made of a hard plastic type material which should last for many years. It may even be treated for UV suppression as well. The EarthTainer III uses off-the-shelf Rugged-tote containers that while the Manufacturer claims a "Lifetime Warranty", common sense says that the EarthBox will outlive the EarthTainer in outside use. Keep in mind that you may need to replace the outer container piece of the EarthTainer III after 5 to 7 years due to UV deterioration.

You can buy optional casters for the EarthBox, which you cannot do with the EarthTainer design. You would need to put the EarthTainer on a 4 wheeled dolly to make it "mobile".

So these considerations (along with others I haven't thought of here) are what you should ponder when evaluating the two options.

Raybo

[BSue54]

Originally Posted by sordave

I have had been researching SWC for some time and have decided to give it a shot this year. Looking at the cost of the Earthtainer at around $35 plus labor vs the Earthbox at $30 and no labor I am confused. I figured the homemade solution would be cheaper and that was why they seem so popular. Also, the Earthbox seems to be more durable to outdoor environment and UV rays. What is the advantage of the Earthtainer over Earthbox?

I'm sure that Ray is much more versed in the specific advanatages of each but since I had to make this decision just this past weekend, I thought I'd share my experiences.

I had always wanted to do Earthtainers, or some variation of them and Global Buckets but my DH informed me last weekend that I needed to get 9 EarthBoxes. My heart started fluttering and to the website I went. Imagine my surprise when I read that it would take from 2-4 weeks for delivery (and the shipping charges were fairly high as well) so we checked the website for local availability - and spent most of the day Saturday visiting various nurseries and garden centers in the Houston area which purportedly had the EB's... Got lots of blank stares and confused looks but no EarthBoxes. Finally located them by phone at a garden center some 70 miles from us - for $69.95 each, instead of the $29.95 listed on the website... And immediately went to Lowes and bought the stuff to make 10 earthtainers. Granted, I did not get the recommended RoughTotes - as our Lowes was out of anything larger than 10 gallons in that brand... but for less than the price of 3 of the retail EB's we got stuff to make 3 times that many.

My advice, unless you still have lots of time before you plan on planting, is to check how long it'd take to get the earthboxes shipped, and/or local availability before getting your heart set one way or the other.

[rnewste]

Bobbie,

A lot of Lowes stores seem to be out of stock on the 31 gallon Rugged-totes - - wonder why?

In any event, as you purchased containers with a somewhat different mechanical shape, holler if you need help in adapting the EarthTainer III Guide procedures to the containers you were actually able to purchase.

BTW, You can get the EarthBox product on Amazon.com for $48.00 including shipping, which is a pretty good deal, considering the alternative sources, when shipping is added in:

http://www.amazon.com/EarthBox-RB-EB...9784480&sr=8-1

Raybo

[bdank]

When I first started growing in SWCs, I did so by making 4 of Raybo's Earthainers. I had great results.

Unfortunately, the eathtainers only lasted two seasons before they started to fall apart. Maybe this is because I bought cheap totes, or maybe it is because I have harsh winters compared to Raybo in CA.

I now have 28 commercial Earthboxes, many of which are going on their 3rd season. I leave them outside year round and they are still as strong and look as good as the day I bought them. My growing results are the same as they were in the Earthtainers. And yes, I grow indeterminate tomatoes in them. It can be done with proper staking (I wouldn't recommend using the earthbox staking system for this).

You can get an Earthbox (without the planting kit) for as low as $29.95. I buy all mine directly from the Earthbox store as this is the cheapest I've found them.

http://store.earthbox.com/EarthBox-C...rs/products/5/

When I order from them my boxes are usually always here in less than a week.

And not to disagree with Raybo, but my plants got pretty darn big in the earthboxes ;0)

[mecktom]

Those plants are beautiful! I also live in VA. and have plenty of garden space but this idea is so tempting. I was considering making several for my daughter who lives in Durham NC but maybe you have convinced me to order a few.

[bdank]

mecktom,
I have the space to grow in the ground, but, I'm sure you know, we have a lot of red clay around here that would be a lot of work to amend. On top of that, we are on well water and have a very shallow well. I need to conserve all the water that I can or I risk running our well dry. Earthboxes are a great solution for this as they use less water than in the ground plant.

[les matzek]

bdank lovely lovely plants, but you will have to stop letting
them grow so big and tall or you will have to go to the
expence of haveing to buy a much taller ladder, lol great
job ane lovely plants,regards.

les

[les matzek]

bdank one question please, what kind of
potting do you use ?, thanks.

les

[mecktom]

I agree with you....they make sense to me. I do plan on trying several this year. How did you stake those plants ans what variety are they??

Thanks.

[sordave]

bdank - those plants look great.

I bought enough material to make 2 - earthboxes. I think I will also try a couple earthboxes as well. The majority of my crops are tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. I have had had good success with tomatoes in my raised gardens (pepper where so so), but I would like to see the results I have seen with SWC primarily due to the reduced water needs. I have grown herbs, onions, carrots, and onions in clear containers (not SWC) which deteriorate after 3 years. This is why I am concerned about investing a bunch of money in the Earthtainer design and having them break down due to UV rays.

I appreciate everyone's comments.

Thanks - Dave

[bdank]

Originally Posted by les matzek

bdank lovely lovely plants, but you will have to stop letting
them grow so big and tall or you will have to go to the
expence of haveing to buy a much taller ladder, lol great
job ane lovely plants,regards.

les

Les,
I did let them grow too tall and this was the result!




After that disaster, we ended up putting up conduit over rebar that was pounded into the ground then tied the cages to that. They stayed up even in strongs winds after that.



I've come up with a better staking system this year. I'm also not going to cage them so high this year. I plan on letting them come over the sides of the cages. I don't want to have to get the ladder out anymore. :0)


There are also tons of good ideas for caging/staking on the earthbox forum.

http://forum.earthbox.com/

For growing medium, I use Miracle Grow potting mix. The mix, not the soil, and not the moisture control stuff.

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

Makes me wonder why they they sell that moisture control stuff that is total garbage!! (2 years ago used and never again)

Nice plants and set up from a container grower of the non moisture control MG mix.

Craig

[Dewayne mater]

Bdank - incredibly impressive plants and set up! The earthbox I bought didn't have a caging system but a panel/string approach that works well for one plant.

I only have one year of experience with and EB and ETs, but my experience was that the EB plant wasn't nearly as large nor productive as any of the varieties in ETs. Maybe it is the fact that we have much harsher high temps in Texas than Virginia? (Many days over 100 throughout the summer and nights that never get lower than the 80s?)

If I'd relied on EBs only, I don't think I would be using containers at all. So, with the two contrasting opinions...maybe compromise and try some of each?

[bdank]

Originally Posted by Dewayne mater

Bdank - incredibly impressive plants and set up! The earthbox I bought didn't have a caging system but a panel/string approach that works well for one plant.

I only have one year of experience with and EB and ETs, but my experience was that the EB plant wasn't nearly as large nor productive as any of the varieties in ETs. Maybe it is the fact that we have much harsher high temps in Texas than Virginia? (Many days over 100 throughout the summer and nights that never get lower than the 80s?)

If I'd relied on EBs only, I don't think I would be using containers at all. So, with the two contrasting opinions...maybe compromise and try some of each?

Dewayne,
I don't think any one method is going to work for everyone. We all live in different climates and have different circumstances that are going to effect our result. I'm sure the reason that my earthtainers didn't hold up as well as Raybo's is because of the combination of very hot summers and freezing winters that we get here. They started cracking in their second season. I just recently threw them out. But I do know that Raybo has had some of his Earthtainers for a long time. There are no guarantees. I just wanted everyone to know that it is possible to grow very large and productive plants in the commercial Earthbox. Not only have I done it, but there are many others over on the Earthbox forum who have done it as well. I also have heard of people who have had poor results with the earthbox and even the earthtainer. Why it works for some and not others I just don't know.

For anyone thinking about ordering from earthbox, make sure you sign up for their news letter. I just got a 10% off code from them because I'm subscribed to it.