EarthTainer (EarthBox) question re: permeability of landscape fabric I used

johnnytwofingers · May 8, 2012

Over the weekend, I built 3 "EarthTainers" (not following the proper version 3 design, more of a makeshift design based on my readings of various different designs on the internet). After I had finished putting the soil into the first one, I remembered I had come across a comment from someone where they poured water on their landscape fabric, and were concerned that the water simply pooled and sat there, not leaking through. So I decided to try this and I got the same result.

FWIW, I am using 15 year heavy duty fabric, but not DuPont brand as is recommended, could not find that.

So, being short of time, I plodded ahead, but took the precaution of poking some holes (using scissors, so quite large) in the fabric over the wicking container thinking this would facilitate wicking in the event that the permeability of the fabric was overly restrictive.

Also, when putting together my EarthBox, I added a layer of landscape fabric to it as well, the size of the holes made me think a lot of the soil would wash through, as well as roots reach down into the water. How bad of an idea was this?

Can anyone comment on this water pooling, is that an effect of the brand I purchased, or does all landscape fabric behave like that fresh off the roll?

Did the poking of holes open me up to roots penetrating down to the water reservoir? (To top it off, my containers are a bit smaller, so not overly deep, and I have two tomato plants in it - the other two containers are sitting empty with soil as we speak).

JamesL · May 14, 2012

Johnny,
No replies eh? I am really not sure about the issue with the landscape fabric. I have a roll of the dupont and a roll of some nameless brand. will try it with both and let you know what happens.
Poking the holes - I don't think it will hurt you that much. Maybe some roots do get through, that certainly won't be fatal. You won't really know until you take them out at the end of the season.

rnewste · May 14, 2012

Johnny,

First time I saw this post just now (May 14).

Virtually all commercial Landscape Fabric is water permeable - - it has to be or else water would just pond up after a rain. To visually confirm that it is, mound up the potting mix in the wicking basket as per the Guide instructions. Wet the top of the mix "cupcake" then place the section of fabric down. Pat it with your hand over the wicking basket. Do you see water coming up through it and wetting your hand? It's working!

Never cut holes in the landscape fabric - that defeats the purpose of blocking the roots from entering the water reservoir.

I also now use landscape fabric in my 3 EarthBoxes to keep roots out as well as the potting mix.

Raybo

lowlylowlycook · May 15, 2012

The first time I made an Earthtainer, I was similarly worried because water seemed to bead up on the landscape fabric. That's probably due to surface tension and that's not an issue once there is potting mix on both sides of the fabric. In fact, I had two layers of fabric and my plants seemed to get plenty of water.

johnnytwofingers · May 16, 2012

Thanks for the replies, and thanks Raybo for you excellent guide, I hope to follow the proper instructions to a T when I have more time.

As an update, I don't seem to be having any serious problems with the water flowing, but then my plants are still quite small and the days still fairly cool here in Vancouver.

The EarthBox however still seems to go through a lot of water, I suspect that design evaporates a lot more?

rnewste · May 16, 2012

For the first 2 or 3 weeks, I recommend top watering the plants, as it will take some time for the roots to drive down into the potting mix. Maybe a pint of water per plant, every 3 or 4 days.

Raybo

May 8, 2012	#1
johnnytwofingers Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 74	EarthTainer (EarthBox) question re: permeability of landscape fabric I used Over the weekend, I built 3 "EarthTainers" (not following the proper version 3 design, more of a makeshift design based on my readings of various different designs on the internet). After I had finished putting the soil into the first one, I remembered I had come across a comment from someone where they poured water on their landscape fabric, and were concerned that the water simply pooled and sat there, not leaking through. So I decided to try this and I got the same result. FWIW, I am using 15 year heavy duty fabric, but not DuPont brand as is recommended, could not find that. So, being short of time, I plodded ahead, but took the precaution of poking some holes (using scissors, so quite large) in the fabric over the wicking container thinking this would facilitate wicking in the event that the permeability of the fabric was overly restrictive. Also, when putting together my EarthBox, I added a layer of landscape fabric to it as well, the size of the holes made me think a lot of the soil would wash through, as well as roots reach down into the water. How bad of an idea was this? Can anyone comment on this water pooling, is that an effect of the brand I purchased, or does all landscape fabric behave like that fresh off the roll? Did the poking of holes open me up to roots penetrating down to the water reservoir? (To top it off, my containers are a bit smaller, so not overly deep, and I have two tomato plants in it - the other two containers are sitting empty with soil as we speak).

May 14, 2012	#2
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Johnny, No replies eh? I am really not sure about the issue with the landscape fabric. I have a roll of the dupont and a roll of some nameless brand. will try it with both and let you know what happens. Poking the holes - I don't think it will hurt you that much. Maybe some roots do get through, that certainly won't be fatal. You won't really know until you take them out at the end of the season.

May 14, 2012	#3
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Johnny, First time I saw this post just now (May 14). Virtually all commercial Landscape Fabric is water permeable - - it has to be or else water would just pond up after a rain. To visually confirm that it is, mound up the potting mix in the wicking basket as per the Guide instructions. Wet the top of the mix "cupcake" then place the section of fabric down. Pat it with your hand over the wicking basket. Do you see water coming up through it and wetting your hand? It's working! Never cut holes in the landscape fabric - that defeats the purpose of blocking the roots from entering the water reservoir. I also now use landscape fabric in my 3 EarthBoxes to keep roots out as well as the potting mix. Raybo

May 15, 2012	#4
lowlylowlycook Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2010 Location: So. Illinois (6a) Posts: 147	The first time I made an Earthtainer, I was similarly worried because water seemed to bead up on the landscape fabric. That's probably due to surface tension and that's not an issue once there is potting mix on both sides of the fabric. In fact, I had two layers of fabric and my plants seemed to get plenty of water.

May 16, 2012	#5
johnnytwofingers Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 74	Thanks for the replies, and thanks Raybo for you excellent guide, I hope to follow the proper instructions to a T when I have more time. As an update, I don't seem to be having any serious problems with the water flowing, but then my plants are still quite small and the days still fairly cool here in Vancouver. The EarthBox however still seems to go through a lot of water, I suspect that design evaporates a lot more?