Earthbox tomatoes - Page 2

rzr · March 2, 2007

Tim,

Would you mind saying the depth of your water reservoir? I am making containers as well and have not been completely sure what I should set the depth too.

Mantis · March 2, 2007

The resevoirs in my tubs hold 30 litres of water. In the heat of summer here that is only enough for 3 days with two large indeterminates. If you are in a cooler climate you would get a lot longer than this.

Earl · March 4, 2007

I just made my first earthbox. I decided to go with the container that most looked like the original EB even tho' it's clear. I painted it brown. It's now home to a Lime Green Salad and a Dwarf Polish.

Here it is finished. I use phone line to keep the sides from bowing.

Click for Larger Size[/url]

Tomatovator · March 5, 2007

Earl
Looks good. Did you already put the plants in the box? What potting mix did you use? Is the box indoors or in a greenhouse? More pics when planted!

biermaster · March 5, 2007

Why cut the bottoms out of your baskets If you left them in it would be stronger. You get a lot of weight on them when the soil get the water in it. This why I use the 4" pvdc drain pipe in mine.

blackkrim · March 5, 2007

Can anyone help me?

This will be my first time growing tomatoes in a container. I've already got 2 beef steak plants in their containers. Should I use fertilizer?

I heard something disturbing on the news. There seems to be far too few bees than there used to be. What's become of the bees?

Can we, as gardeners help to polinate our own tomatoes without the help of our friends the bees?

Blackkrim

dcarch · March 5, 2007

Earl,

Great work.
Just curious; Would clear plastic box be a problem on a sunny day? Would it cook the roots?

dcarch

Tomatovator · March 5, 2007

BK
Bees are not needed to pollinate tomato plants. Go to the Earthbox website for fertilizer instructions. There is a specific section on tomatoes.
DCArch
From what I've read a clear plastic container in the sun promotes some unwanted things growing in the water reservoir.

Earl · March 5, 2007

Here it is finished, painted, and planted with Lime Green Salad and Polish Dwarf. Using the phone line to sturdy the sides worked well. It's in the greenhouse and I figure I can get 10-12 in the 16 foot space down both sides. Other containers will house salad greens, herbs and such. I'm looking forward to this experiment. Next HEB I"m thinking about using breathable mulch fabric on top of the water barrier.

My biggest want is an automatic watering valve hooked to a 1/4 inch drip line.

Tomatovator · March 5, 2007

Earl
Is there a drain hole somewhere to prevent over watering? I can't see one in any of your pics.

dcarch · March 5, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl

------------

My biggest want is an automatic watering valve hooked to a 1/4 inch drip line.

Earl,

Impressive work.
Regarding automatic watering system, I have an idea which I cannot try out because I don't have room to do EBs. If you want I can post my idea for you to try out.

dcarch

Earl · March 6, 2007

Yes, Tomatovator, hole is on the end so I can see when the overflow occurs.

dcarch, yes, please post your idea.

dcarch · March 6, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl

----dcarch, yes, please post your idea.

O.K. I will post in another thread.

dcarch

March 5, 2007	#20
biermaster Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tucson,Az Posts: 58	Why cut the bottoms out of your baskets If you left them in it would be stronger. You get a lot of weight on them when the soil get the water in it. This why I use the 4" pvdc drain pipe in mine. __________________ Freedom doesn't mean you can do as you want but to do what is "right"

March 5, 2007	#22
dcarch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 2,618	Earl, Great work. Just curious; Would clear plastic box be a problem on a sunny day? Would it cook the roots? dcarch __________________ tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato

March 5, 2007	#23
Tomatovator Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Zone 6 Posts: 461	BK Bees are not needed to pollinate tomato plants. Go to the Earthbox website for fertilizer instructions. There is a specific section on tomatoes. DCArch From what I've read a clear plastic container in the sun promotes some unwanted things growing in the water reservoir. Last edited by Tomatovator; March 5, 2007 at 09:02 PM.

March 2, 2007	#16
rzr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pflugerville, TX Posts: 79	Tim, Would you mind saying the depth of your water reservoir? I am making containers as well and have not been completely sure what I should set the depth too.

March 2, 2007	#17
Mantis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 1,241	The resevoirs in my tubs hold 30 litres of water. In the heat of summer here that is only enough for 3 days with two large indeterminates. If you are in a cooler climate you would get a lot longer than this.

March 4, 2007	#18
Earl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 1,278	I just made my first earthbox. I decided to go with the container that most looked like the original EB even tho' it's clear. I painted it brown. It's now home to a Lime Green Salad and a Dwarf Polish. Here it is finished. I use phone line to keep the sides from bowing. Click for Larger Size[/url]

March 5, 2007	#21
blackkrim Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Whittier Posts: 7	Can anyone help me? This will be my first time growing tomatoes in a container. I've already got 2 beef steak plants in their containers. Should I use fertilizer? I heard something disturbing on the news. There seems to be far too few bees than there used to be. What's become of the bees? Can we, as gardeners help to polinate our own tomatoes without the help of our friends the bees? Blackkrim

March 6, 2007	#27
Earl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 1,278	Yes, Tomatovator, hole is on the end so I can see when the overflow occurs. dcarch, yes, please post your idea.