Earthboxes and full size tomato

Kikaida · June 19, 2015

For those using Earthboxes, can full size varieties grow in them?

Would you just put one in there or two?

Do the roots get choked out in only 2 cubic?

Do you use their fertilizer strategy of a single band across the top?

digsdirt · June 19, 2015

Does full size mean indeterminate? If so then yes, I have grown several different indeterminate varieties in my EBs. But I only plant 1 in each box when I do. I know the EB website says (or used to say) you could do 2 but I had very poor results when I did, even if I aggressively pruned them to just 2 stems.

With only one indet. and only very minimal pruning I can get as much production as I do from the same variety in the in ground garden.

Determinate varieties - I plant 2 in each box.

Dave

Edited to add: I use the band of fert as called for by EB but I also supplement that source of nutrients with every 2 week feedings of a good liquid fert down the tube. I use fish emulsion and liquid kelp.

Kikaida · June 19, 2015

Thanks for the reply Dave, did you have any odor issues when using the fish & kelp?

digsdirt · June 19, 2015

No doubt there is some odor but only when it is exposed to air. Well diluted and in the bottom of the EB it isn't even noticeable to me.

But if the odor is a problem for you there are many synthetic ferts you can use instead. I try to grow as organic as possible in my containers and in my gardens. But that can be very difficult in containers because of the absence of any real active soil food web. So my compromise is to use a good granular fert for the band that isn't organic and then supplement with liquid organics.

Dave

geeboss · June 20, 2015

Take a look at Raybo's Earthtainer threads good information on container growing. yes you can grow full size tomatoes if you limit 1 plant to 18 gallon or two plants to a 31 gallon

digsdirt · June 20, 2015

I agree that Raybo's Earthtainers are great. I have built several of them. Unfortunately many of us already had several Earthboxes before Ray developed his (much improved) version and we want to be able to use our EBs too. While they are much smaller you can still grow 1 indeterminate in them well - just takes more care and attention. Despite what EB claims, 2 indeterminates don't work at all well in them IME unless they are severly pruned to 1, maybe 2 stems max.

Dave

Bipetual · June 20, 2015

All you have to do is look at the photos on the Earthbox forum if you have doubts. Many, many people do it each year and I doubt if they would if it couldn't be done.

Perhaps you are just wondering if it would work better with just one? It would be interesting to see a side by side comparison of one vs. two.

I am trying two indeterminate Caiman F1 Hybrids in a single Earthbox this year and so far so good. I am pruning very sparingly. I took everything off the very bottom because we have early bight, septoria and sometimes mold here, and I have followed the advice of Ginger and others and just removing selected leaves to promote better airflow. I can let you know how it goes later in the season!

As someone who has mostly homemade self-watering containers that my husband made from five gallon buckets (which are absolutely perfect for peppers, and next year I can't wait to try a couple of dwarfs), I have nothing against diy containers. Earthtrainers do look pretty cool, and Raybo's earthtrainer farm is envy-inspiring. But I can tell you I was really impressed with the quality and sturdiness of the Earthbox. I thought they were expensive, but seeing how well made the container themselves are, and realizing that they are actually made in the US has actually made me think they are a decent value. They are also made to hold up to UV rays, and they are easy to assemble.

How many plants you put in one container, I think, is largely personal preference. For what it's worth, I have grown indeterminate cherry tomatoes in the five gallon containers. Was it ideal? Maybe not, but it did work. I had a huge Early Girl in a 10 gallon SWC from Gardeners Supply, and it did great. So you just have to experiment with what works for you in your area. Good luck with whatever you decide!

digsdirt · June 20, 2015

Oh I have seen all the pictures on the EB website. Not sure I believe them any more than I believe all the Topsy Turvey ads and pics or all the Miracle grow claims. I've also learned over 50+ years of gardening that many folks will try anything just because they don't know any better.

I've also read through the EB forums. Even if I hadn't done several my own side-by-side comparisons many years ago and quickly discovered that I can get 3x the production from one plant than I can get from 2 in the same box, even if I hadn't read about the same results from others, the fact that there are posts on the EB forum from other experienced users advising against it would have convinced me. Unlike with Raybo's 31 gallon Earthtainers, 2 indeterminates in one 10 gallon EB just isn't feasible for me.

But in cooler climates such as yours one can get by with many things those of us in the hotter climes cannot, so I hope it works well for you. One "can" grow things in many ways. Whether they should or not is the question. But as long as you are happy with the results you get, that's fine.

Dave

JamesL · June 20, 2015

I haven't grown tomatoes in an EB, but I believe Marsha does well with pairs.
Bdank used to really knock it out of the park with 2 per EB.
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=17436

ginger2778 · June 20, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesL

I haven't grown tomatoes in an EB, but I believe Marsha does well with pairs.
Bdank used to really knock it out of the park with 2 per EB.
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=17436

Thanks James, absolutely correct. I do get huge production from pairs in EBs. It might be what Dave mentioned about a cooler climate, because mine grow from October to May, a few until June if I am extra lucky. We have to wait until the weather cools off here, or we wouldnt get fruitset.
I do not prune or limit stems in any way, just thinning out leaves for airflow, and all diseased leaves.
I use the 3 cups of Tomato Tone as my fert. strip, and supplement with 1 teaspoon Calcinit down the tube every week.
Thanks Dave for the advice about the fush emulsion and kelp.

Kikaida · June 21, 2015

Great replies, I'm having a heck of a time keeping the moisture level right in my fabric pots right now with 100 degree heat. Considering the basic EB is $29 without all the bells and whistles, that's not too bad of a deal. Perhaps next season.

luigiwu · June 21, 2015

I think I grow great in my 5 gallon buckets and 7 gallon root pouches but perhaps I have low expectations as this is only my second year. All subirrigated. I have pics posted in photos.

Kikaida · June 21, 2015

Irrigation is key for me. Learning real quick the fabric pots+100 degree heat = P.I.T.A.

Bipetual · June 22, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kikaida

Irrigation is key for me. Learning real quick the fabric pots+100 degree heat = P.I.T.A.

Yes, that would be difficult. My homemade self-watering buckets only hold half a gallon of water and that can be a real pain once the plants get big and it gets really hot. Being in what I guess would be a hotter climate, and having no reservoir at all would be a real hassle. Earthbox has an automatic watering system, too, although I don't have many plants so I don't see myself ever needing it. But it's nice to know it's available, although many people have rigged up diy systems, too.

June 19, 2015	#1
Kikaida Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 258	Earthboxes and full size tomato For those using Earthboxes, can full size varieties grow in them? Would you just put one in there or two? Do the roots get choked out in only 2 cubic? Do you use their fertilizer strategy of a single band across the top?

June 19, 2015	#2
digsdirt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: No.Central Arkansas - 6b/7a Posts: 179	Does full size mean indeterminate? If so then yes, I have grown several different indeterminate varieties in my EBs. But I only plant 1 in each box when I do. I know the EB website says (or used to say) you could do 2 but I had very poor results when I did, even if I aggressively pruned them to just 2 stems. With only one indet. and only very minimal pruning I can get as much production as I do from the same variety in the in ground garden. Determinate varieties - I plant 2 in each box. Dave Edited to add: I use the band of fert as called for by EB but I also supplement that source of nutrients with every 2 week feedings of a good liquid fert down the tube. I use fish emulsion and liquid kelp. __________________ Dave Last edited by digsdirt; June 19, 2015 at 10:52 AM.

June 19, 2015	#4
digsdirt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: No.Central Arkansas - 6b/7a Posts: 179	No doubt there is some odor but only when it is exposed to air. Well diluted and in the bottom of the EB it isn't even noticeable to me. But if the odor is a problem for you there are many synthetic ferts you can use instead. I try to grow as organic as possible in my containers and in my gardens. But that can be very difficult in containers because of the absence of any real active soil food web. So my compromise is to use a good granular fert for the band that isn't organic and then supplement with liquid organics. Dave __________________ Dave

June 20, 2015	#6
digsdirt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: No.Central Arkansas - 6b/7a Posts: 179	I agree that Raybo's Earthtainers are great. I have built several of them. Unfortunately many of us already had several Earthboxes before Ray developed his (much improved) version and we want to be able to use our EBs too. While they are much smaller you can still grow 1 indeterminate in them well - just takes more care and attention. Despite what EB claims, 2 indeterminates don't work at all well in them IME unless they are severly pruned to 1, maybe 2 stems max. Dave __________________ Dave

June 20, 2015	#7
Bipetual Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Illinois, zone 5a Posts: 579	All you have to do is look at the photos on the Earthbox forum if you have doubts. Many, many people do it each year and I doubt if they would if it couldn't be done. Perhaps you are just wondering if it would work better with just one? It would be interesting to see a side by side comparison of one vs. two. I am trying two indeterminate Caiman F1 Hybrids in a single Earthbox this year and so far so good. I am pruning very sparingly. I took everything off the very bottom because we have early bight, septoria and sometimes mold here, and I have followed the advice of Ginger and others and just removing selected leaves to promote better airflow. I can let you know how it goes later in the season! As someone who has mostly homemade self-watering containers that my husband made from five gallon buckets (which are absolutely perfect for peppers, and next year I can't wait to try a couple of dwarfs), I have nothing against diy containers. Earthtrainers do look pretty cool, and Raybo's earthtrainer farm is envy-inspiring. But I can tell you I was really impressed with the quality and sturdiness of the Earthbox. I thought they were expensive, but seeing how well made the container themselves are, and realizing that they are actually made in the US has actually made me think they are a decent value. They are also made to hold up to UV rays, and they are easy to assemble. How many plants you put in one container, I think, is largely personal preference. For what it's worth, I have grown indeterminate cherry tomatoes in the five gallon containers. Was it ideal? Maybe not, but it did work. I had a huge Early Girl in a 10 gallon SWC from Gardeners Supply, and it did great. So you just have to experiment with what works for you in your area. Good luck with whatever you decide! Last edited by Bipetual; June 20, 2015 at 04:18 PM. Reason: Add text

June 20, 2015	#5
geeboss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Fairfax, VA Z7 Posts: 524	Take a look at Raybo's Earthtainer threads good information on container growing. yes you can grow full size tomatoes if you limit 1 plant to 18 gallon or two plants to a 31 gallon

June 20, 2015	#9
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	I haven't grown tomatoes in an EB, but I believe Marsha does well with pairs. Bdank used to really knock it out of the park with 2 per EB. http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=17436

June 21, 2015	#11
Kikaida Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 258	Great replies, I'm having a heck of a time keeping the moisture level right in my fabric pots right now with 100 degree heat. Considering the basic EB is $29 without all the bells and whistles, that's not too bad of a deal. Perhaps next season.

June 21, 2015	#12
luigiwu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ny Posts: 1,219	I think I grow great in my 5 gallon buckets and 7 gallon root pouches but perhaps I have low expectations as this is only my second year. All subirrigated. I have pics posted in photos. __________________ Subirrigated Container gardening (RGGS) in NY, Zone 7!