PLANT SELECTION
Try everything, vegetables, herbs and flowers! Whatever is available at your local nursery will grow in your EarthBox®. Use the smaller 12-16 tall seedlings available in small pots, or start with seeds. Find out the best varieties for your area and season.
POTTING MIX
Almost any brand of potting mix for containers or hanging plants will work. You’ll need the big bag 56 litter per box. The potting mix can be used up to 6 seasons before replacing.
FERTILISER
The EarthBox® is designed to be used with a strip of common dry granular fertiliser or plant food for vegetables. Almost any brand of fertiliser will work as long as it is not designed to be mixed with water and all 3 numbers on the label are between 5 and 15. You’ll need two cups of fertiliser for each planting. Organic fertilisers can also be used. Simply use 3 cups of organic fertiliser to replace the 2 cups of chemical fertiliser. Do not add any additional fertiliser during the growing season.
PLANTING
Refer to our plant Selection chart (comes with every box) to learn about plant selection and placement. Resist the temptation to overplant your EarthBox. Select a sunny spot, as most warm season crops, such as tomatoes, need 6-8 hours of daily sunlight. Cool season leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce require partial shade. The plants should always be planted through the plastic cover into the potting mix. Always leave the cover on. Gently loosen the plant’s root ball and set your plants into the soil as far away from the fertilizer strip as possible.
WATERING
Allowing the reservoir to go dry will shut down the system, so don’t try to regulate the water level. Always use the fill tube to keep the water reservoir filled. You’ll know the reservoir is full when water flows from the overflow hole. Add water every few days when the plants are young, and every day when your plants are mature. You can purchase the EarthBox Automated Watering System and your boxes will take care of themselves.
STAKES
Tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, beans and other vines or tall plants need support. The EarthBox® Staking Kit (not included) is the perfect solution for your plant staking problem. Install the staking system and string the netting between the vertical stakes to provide the support your plants need.
REPLANTING
You use the same potting mix for up to 6 growing seasons. Simply remove your old plants, the old fertilizer strip and some of the surrounding growing media. Decide what you are going to plant in your EarthBox, mix some dolomite, place fertilizer and top the EarthBox off with some fresh growing media, creating a mound. Put a new mulch cover on your EarthBoxes and replant.
FOR TOMATOES and VEGETABLES
Most vegetables require a higher pH level than most potting mixes provide, and they love Calcium! To prevent blossom end rot, simply add 2 cups of dolomite or hydrated lime to the potting mix before each planting. Remember to keep the reservoir filled. Letting the system go dry stops the intake of Calcium and fertilizer to the plants. If Blossom End Rot develops during the season, mix 1/4 cup of hydrated lime to a gallon of water. Spray the mix directly on the plants or add it to the water reservoir the next time you water your EarthBox®.
THREE SIMPLE RULES:
Good Luck and bring your questions here, this is a great forum with tons of experienced green thumbs!
This link contains lots of things you should know to help you get started. The EarthBox is unique and must be set up properly.
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