Earthbox warning...

Ed of Somis · July 11, 2014

I am going to plant my earthbox today....very excited. I will plant the Big Beef and Celebrity varieties of tomato. The indeterminate Big Beef will go on the north side of the box. Anyway...it looks like to me that it is VERY important do exactly as they say (especially with the dolomite and fertilizer trench. I am fore-warning myself...and I will not be free-lansing on the installation.

Ed of Somis · July 12, 2014

Just got in from my earthbox planting (1st time). It is kind of embarrassing for an old man...but it really was a fun little project. Hopefully these things actually grow! I was kind of shocked that the reservoir took over 4 gallons of water! Surprising to me...

JamesL · July 12, 2014

Good for you Ed! Don't worry, they will grow. Sub irrigated really works very well.

Keiththibodeaux · July 12, 2014

Just don't underestimate how water a large tomato plant can use a day. In the summer, I had to refill that thing daily.

frankbenjones · July 12, 2014

Two years ago I grew a Stupice in one along with a Jalapeno. The Stupice plant was huge, gave a ton of tomatoes and would sometimes use up all the water before the day was over so I would top it off in the morning and evening.

Ed of Somis · July 12, 2014

Wow! It sounds like this is not a system to leave alone for a week while on vacation....Hi Frank, since we are neighbors, what tomatoes do you love and have great success with in NP?

frankbenjones · July 13, 2014

Favorite is Black Krim. I also really like Sleeping Lady. I have the Sleeping Lady in a 7 gallon squat and while the flavor is very good the tomatoes are mostly 1-3 oz. Both of these will be planted every year. Production was pretty good on Black Krim last year. As far as tomatoes that have produced well for multiple years (I just started 3 years ago) Stupice, Juliet, Golden Rave, and Champion. I seem to pick a hand full of Juliet and Golden Rave's each day or two.

Opalka did well last year as did Sioux.

Sioux seems to be doing well this year too. I also have an Iditarod Red that keeps pumping them out. I've been picking tomatoes off of it since April. Same with my Taimyr in a 5 gallon pot.

Stump of the World was very good but production was not. I will try it again next year.

This year I am trying Japanse Black Trifele for the first time. So far production has been ok and the taste is pretty good but the skin is pretty tough.

Legend is also doing pretty good in a 7 gallon squat. Legend had a lot of cracking in April/May but the last few fruits (in june) have been crack free. I also grew Siletz and Oregon spring but I think the Legend is doing better so I may not plant them next year.

What's worked for you?

July 11, 2014	#1
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	Earthbox warning... I am going to plant my earthbox today....very excited. I will plant the Big Beef and Celebrity varieties of tomato. The indeterminate Big Beef will go on the north side of the box. Anyway...it looks like to me that it is VERY important do exactly as they say (especially with the dolomite and fertilizer trench. I am fore-warning myself...and I will not be free-lansing on the installation. Last edited by Ed of Somis; July 12, 2014 at 12:36 AM.

July 12, 2014	#2
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	Just got in from my earthbox planting (1st time). It is kind of embarrassing for an old man...but it really was a fun little project. Hopefully these things actually grow! I was kind of shocked that the reservoir took over 4 gallons of water! Surprising to me...

July 12, 2014	#3
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Good for you Ed! Don't worry, they will grow. Sub irrigated really works very well.

July 12, 2014	#4
Keiththibodeaux Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Louisiana Posts: 587	Just don't underestimate how water a large tomato plant can use a day. In the summer, I had to refill that thing daily.

July 12, 2014	#5
frankbenjones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Newbury Park, CA Posts: 51	Two years ago I grew a Stupice in one along with a Jalapeno. The Stupice plant was huge, gave a ton of tomatoes and would sometimes use up all the water before the day was over so I would top it off in the morning and evening.

July 13, 2014	#7
frankbenjones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Newbury Park, CA Posts: 51	Favorite is Black Krim. I also really like Sleeping Lady. I have the Sleeping Lady in a 7 gallon squat and while the flavor is very good the tomatoes are mostly 1-3 oz. Both of these will be planted every year. Production was pretty good on Black Krim last year. As far as tomatoes that have produced well for multiple years (I just started 3 years ago) Stupice, Juliet, Golden Rave, and Champion. I seem to pick a hand full of Juliet and Golden Rave's each day or two. Opalka did well last year as did Sioux. Sioux seems to be doing well this year too. I also have an Iditarod Red that keeps pumping them out. I've been picking tomatoes off of it since April. Same with my Taimyr in a 5 gallon pot. Stump of the World was very good but production was not. I will try it again next year. This year I am trying Japanse Black Trifele for the first time. So far production has been ok and the taste is pretty good but the skin is pretty tough. Legend is also doing pretty good in a 7 gallon squat. Legend had a lot of cracking in April/May but the last few fruits (in june) have been crack free. I also grew Siletz and Oregon spring but I think the Legend is doing better so I may not plant them next year. What's worked for you?