Growing method comparison

[Big_Red]

I thought some of you might be interested in how plants compared using different growing methods. Nothing scientific, these are all Amish Paste tomatoes started from seed the same day and transplanted outside the same day. Photos are from 2006.

Top left: In do-it-yourself grow box
Top right: In-ground
Bottom left: In straw bale
Bottom right: In open tub

Has anyone else compared different growing methods?

[bydsign]

The DIY grow box seems to have the bigger plant... or do my
aging eyes deceive me?

I used traditional pots during my first growing season.

Then I used the bootleg Earthboxes (self-watering containers)
during the 2nd.

BIG DIFFERENCE!

The plants in the SW containers looked like they were on steroids!

[MawkHawk]

Wow! I can't believe your SW results. Which plans did you use for that?

[Big_Red]

Darlette - Yup, the boxes grew much bigger and healthier plants, and they kept on producing right up 'til frost. They performed so well that I'm making 10 more for this years tomatoes. Although I only had one plant per box last year, I'm going to try two per box this year.

Mark - I kind of re-designed a plan off the inter-net, don't remember which one. I know I posted this picture somewhere else, but here's another picture of my box. ☺

Red

[lakshmi]

Wow- what a difference. This looks a lot simpler than a lot of designs I've seen or is there a lot going on underneath? What is the white piece with the holes in it?

Lakshmi

[johno]

Is this basically a bottom-watering device?

[tumbleweed]

Big Red,

What are the dimensions of the basket thingy that goes down into the water reservoir? What is it called and where did you find it?

[MawkHawk]

There are a lot of threads about these homemade "Earth Boxes" in the Container forum, if anyone is interested. The basket, I'm guessing, is maybe a pond plant basket?

Here is a site wth instructions on something similar to Big Red's:

http://www.josho.com/Earthbox.htm

[bcday]

Big Red,
What did you use for a potting mix in your grow box?

[Big_Red]

Lakshmi - The only thing holding up the "screen", which is a poly cutting board, is the basket. No other support is needed. These are baskets that I bought at WalMart for about a dollar apiece. The size is about 5" x 7". You have to cut off the handle with a sharp knife. I use small stove bolts to attach the baskets to the screener board.

bcday - I use Miracle Grow Potting Mix, not potting soil.

Red

[Big_Red]

Ooops, sorry johno, didn't mean to ignore you! Yes, the plants get their water through the soil in the basket, which acts as a wick.

Red

[lakshmi]

Originally Posted by Big_Red

Lakshmi - The only thing holding up the "screen", which is a poly cutting board, is the basket. No other support is needed. These are baskets that I bought at WalMart for about a dollar apiece.

That's a pretty seamless job you did...I thought it was all one piece and couldn't figure out what it was

Lakshmi

[bydsign]

Originally Posted by MawkHawk

There are a lot of threads about these homemade "Earth Boxes" in the Container forum, if anyone is interested. The basket, I'm guessing, is maybe a pond plant basket?

Here is a site wth instructions on something similar to Big Red's:

http://www.josho.com/Earthbox.htm

Those are the directions I followed.

At first, I had this big guy helping me. But later, when
I wanted to add even more DIY containers to my garden,
I got that jigsaw and was sawing up stuff myself!

(It's only by the grace of GOD that I didn't saw off a finga! )