DIY Earthbox Question

gardenscout · March 18, 2007

I am making the diy earthboxes per the instructions floating around these various message boards, and I have a few questions, if someone has a minute.

The design I chose has the 18 gal rubbermaid with the screen made out of the lid. There are two wicking chambers and three other supports, all made of the 4" PVC.

I am at the point of cutting the large holes for the wicking chambers and then one for the fill tube. Then it dawned on me that I don't know where the plants and the fert strip go in relation to the wicking chambers. I guess there is a chance that it doesn't matter one bit.

So the questions...

Do I plant the tomatoes over the wicking chambers, or does the fert strip go over the wicking chamber? (I am planning to plant two indets in each box.)

Does it matter where the fill tube goes? I would prefer to have it in a corner, rather than the back. Is it better to have it closer to the wicking chambers or farther away?

Thanks very much...

Earl · March 19, 2007

I don't think it matters as I've never read anything suggesting that it does matter.

gardenscout · March 19, 2007

Thanks, Earl. I found the information I needed on another forum.

tumbleweed · March 19, 2007

gardescout, I am also building some earth boxes and have been wondering about the same things. Could you share with us what you found out on the other forum, or give a link to it?

bydsign · March 20, 2007

The tomato seedlings go on one long side of the container...
the fertilizer strip goes on the other side. Don't let them touch!

Now this is what I did this past growing season:

I put 1 plant per container... and I tended to place that plant
over the wicking chamber because I wanted to put the bamboo
stake deep in the container.

Now for my Spring garden... I'm going to put 2 tomato plants
per 18 gal container. In some cases, I will be planting 2 of
the same variety. In other cases, they will be 2 different varieties.
They'll just have to duke it out for resources!

bydsign · March 20, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by tumbleweed

gardescout, I am also building some earth boxes and have been wondering about the same things. Could you share with us what you found out on the other forum, or give a link to it?

Click on this link to get to the .pdf file
that shows how to set up your planter...

http://www.earthbox.com/consumer/instructions.html

gardenscout · March 20, 2007

I don't have a link because I have just been gathering resources from lots of places. But here is what I know:

With two wicking chambers (along the long side of the rectangular tub), put the plants right above them and the fert strip on the other side. I think the important thing is that the fert strip is far away from the wicking chamber.

Regarding the fill tube, I decided it doesn't matter. I mean, how could it?

bydsign · March 20, 2007

My fill tubes are always in the corner... preferably where you can
see the overflow hole and know when to stop adding water.

March 18, 2007	#1
gardenscout Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: N. Rhode Island Posts: 37	DIY Earthbox Question I am making the diy earthboxes per the instructions floating around these various message boards, and I have a few questions, if someone has a minute. The design I chose has the 18 gal rubbermaid with the screen made out of the lid. There are two wicking chambers and three other supports, all made of the 4" PVC. I am at the point of cutting the large holes for the wicking chambers and then one for the fill tube. Then it dawned on me that I don't know where the plants and the fert strip go in relation to the wicking chambers. I guess there is a chance that it doesn't matter one bit. So the questions... Do I plant the tomatoes over the wicking chambers, or does the fert strip go over the wicking chamber? (I am planning to plant two indets in each box.) Does it matter where the fill tube goes? I would prefer to have it in a corner, rather than the back. Is it better to have it closer to the wicking chambers or farther away? Thanks very much...

March 19, 2007	#4
tumbleweed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dallas Texas Zone 8A Posts: 37	gardescout, I am also building some earth boxes and have been wondering about the same things. Could you share with us what you found out on the other forum, or give a link to it? __________________ Nature favors harmony.

March 20, 2007	#5
bydsign Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Zone 10 - South Florida Posts: 91	The tomato seedlings go on one long side of the container... the fertilizer strip goes on the other side. Don't let them touch! Now this is what I did this past growing season: I put 1 plant per container... and I tended to place that plant over the wicking chamber because I wanted to put the bamboo stake deep in the container. Now for my Spring garden... I'm going to put 2 tomato plants per 18 gal container. In some cases, I will be planting 2 of the same variety. In other cases, they will be 2 different varieties. They'll just have to duke it out for resources! __________________ Darlette

March 20, 2007	#8
bydsign Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Zone 10 - South Florida Posts: 91	My fill tubes are always in the corner... preferably where you can see the overflow hole and know when to stop adding water. __________________ Darlette

March 19, 2007	#2
Earl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 1,278	I don't think it matters as I've never read anything suggesting that it does matter.