How does your Earthbox yield compare

Dewayne mater · June 12, 2015

The earthboxes I have are not quite 20 gallons. Here is the size of the ones I have per earthbox. "The dimensions of the EarthBox are 29" L x 13.5" D x 11" H. It holds 3 gallons of water and 2 cubic feet (60 dry quarts) of growing media." I think that means 15 gallons of grow media, 3 gallon water reservoir. The earthtainer holds approximately 24 gallons of grow media, plus 7 gallons of water. So, while not quite twice as large in grow media it is about 2/3rds again as large. I believe that extra size and depth makes a significant difference for growing 2 indeterminate plants. When I've completely emptied earthtainers, I find roots are throughout the entire grow media area and they have penetrated the weed cloth and are drinking directly from the reservoir.

As for construction, I am probably the least handy guy around and making the first one was really intimidating. It probably took me twice as long as the directions say and I wanted to quit a few times. But, the second one was easier. By the 3rd one I had it down and made it quickly. The 4th took a little longer because the design had changed. After that, I was making them 2 at a time and they are easy. In my experience, if you have the tools and the component parts, anyone can do it! Ray's instructions are not like the kids toys that come from China and are as accurately translated as alphabet soup. He has pictures, lots of pictures! It includes step by step instructions down to the smallest step. If I can do it, you can do it! They are more a winter time project to me, when there are no tomatoes to worry over. Good luck!

As for size, you can definitely get good sized tomatoes from earth boxes! They may be 10 or even 20% smaller than those grown in the ground (my experience) but, the are still full sized slicing tomatoes! So, if you don't build earthtainers, definitely Go for it with earthboxes.

Dewayne

June 12, 2015	#19
Dewayne mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,212	The earthboxes I have are not quite 20 gallons. Here is the size of the ones I have per earthbox. "The dimensions of the EarthBox are 29" L x 13.5" D x 11" H. It holds 3 gallons of water and 2 cubic feet (60 dry quarts) of growing media." I think that means 15 gallons of grow media, 3 gallon water reservoir. The earthtainer holds approximately 24 gallons of grow media, plus 7 gallons of water. So, while not quite twice as large in grow media it is about 2/3rds again as large. I believe that extra size and depth makes a significant difference for growing 2 indeterminate plants. When I've completely emptied earthtainers, I find roots are throughout the entire grow media area and they have penetrated the weed cloth and are drinking directly from the reservoir. As for construction, I am probably the least handy guy around and making the first one was really intimidating. It probably took me twice as long as the directions say and I wanted to quit a few times. But, the second one was easier. By the 3rd one I had it down and made it quickly. The 4th took a little longer because the design had changed. After that, I was making them 2 at a time and they are easy. In my experience, if you have the tools and the component parts, anyone can do it! Ray's instructions are not like the kids toys that come from China and are as accurately translated as alphabet soup. He has pictures, lots of pictures! It includes step by step instructions down to the smallest step. If I can do it, you can do it! They are more a winter time project to me, when there are no tomatoes to worry over. Good luck! As for size, you can definitely get good sized tomatoes from earth boxes! They may be 10 or even 20% smaller than those grown in the ground (my experience) but, the are still full sized slicing tomatoes! So, if you don't build earthtainers, definitely Go for it with earthboxes. Dewayne