Line bottom of Earthbox w/ landscape fabric?

[shatbox]

I'm setting up my first earthboxes and am wondering if lining the bottom with permeable inexpensive landscape fabric will help when it's time to pull out tomatoes? Planning on planting two cherry varieties.

[Barb_FL]

Definitely not, it will affect the air flow.

Since fall, I have lined mine with Tulle (wedding veil) or shade cloth so that the mix doesn't fall into the reservoir.

I've been dumping my EB between seasons to look at the roots, and to check for pot worms. Plenty of roots still get past the tulle / shade cloth but way less mix ends up in the bottom. My EB are all on casters/movers dollies so I move them more than most which probably caused the mix getting in the bottom.

[shatbox]

Thanks Barb

[JaxRmrJmr]

It doesn't stop the roots from growing through. It does seem to choke them off a bit, but I have no problem with roots growing down there in the water. As long as they stay nice and white, that is nothing but good stuff. If you start pulling out roots that are all green and such, then you may want to consider changing things up.

[dokutaaguriin]

I like to line the entire box on my Earthtainer as it makes it easy to remove the entire mass of potting soil. The thicker the fabric the better to slow (stop???) root growth into the reservoir.
Jeff

[Greatgardens]

Originally Posted by dokutaaguriin

I like to line the entire box on my Earthtainer as it makes it easy to remove the entire mass of potting soil. The thicker the fabric the better to slow (stop???) root growth into the reservoir.
Jeff

I was thinking of trying the landscape fabric on the bottom of my earthboxes this year, also. Nylon screen is another option I was considering. I mainly want to keep the mix from falling into the reservoir.

I presume you have seen no ill-effects with your plants from the fabric?

-GG

[rtvvvv]

well...i'll let you know. i have 4 giant containers that i totally lined with heavy landscape cloth last season. this weekend im going to empty them and see the result! will post pic. btw last season had good production and size.. so...no ill effects as far as i could notice

[shatbox]

Please do! I'm dying to get planting!

[elight]

I have always lined my EarthTainers with landscape fabric, as Raybo recommends. In years when I used a lower quality, roots got through to the reservoir leading to water tomatoes. I guess the Earthbox people make do without it, but I find it helps a lot to use it.

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

[greenthumbomaha]

I'd like to know too. I bought Earthbox Jr's to grow indoor lettuce. Since the roots are shallow, I lined the divider with cloth weed fabric to cut the amount of soil needed and keep the box light. Yipes am I growing a science experiment down there? The lettuce is really good (thanks to everyone in the lettuce thread).

- Lisa

[rtvvvv]

here are a few pix... virtually NO root "grow through" and zero Clean up needed! what a difference.

[shatbox]

Oh wow! It looks like you lifted the whole thing out in one swoop; I wish my cakes came out so cleanly. Note to self: spray with Crisco.
sBox

[greenthumbomaha]

That fabric works well. Mine is a slightly different arrangement. I don't really take advantage that it is an earthbox jr and just use it as a lettuce planter.

- Lisa