Earthbox...insight please - Page 6

JamesL · March 18, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdermom

If you use field fence, do you cut the size of the box, connect the fence and place around the box...what do you use to steady the fence? Does the box support it? The reason I ask is mine will be on a dock, therefore no "ground" to secure with rebar, etc. I just don't want the whole thing to fall over on windy days, storms, etc. I am a visual person so forgive me when I ask so many questions with descriptions...

Can't answer the field fence question, but with respect to the dock, I am thinking you could use screw some eye bolts into the dock and use wire to lash them down.

Sun City Linda · March 18, 2015

An Earthbox with big, indeterminate tomates can blow down in the wind, even if the resovoir is full of water. You should secure it to something, even if building blocks with bunge cords.

ginger2778 · March 18, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sun City Linda

An Earthbox with big, indeterminate tomates can blow down in the wind, even if the resovoir is full of water. You should secure it to something, even if building blocks with bunge cords.

Second that, It happens every year.

ginger2778 · March 18, 2015

You may be able to see the posts we put in to secure them, but also how the fence has 6" squares so its easy to spray around and pull even large fruit out. These cages are about 3 years old. We count 14 verticals as the length of field fence needed for 1 cage.

ginger2778 · March 18, 2015

Here's a closeup of another, showing the connections. We didn't care if it was neat, just functional and able to be detached at season end so as to replenish the potting mix, fert. and dolomite.

birdermom · March 18, 2015

ok...really using for dwarfs but I know some of those still can grow large. It would be bad to go check on them and they be in the pond....lol. I may attach the cage or trellis to the side of the dock and attach the box to it also. I think some brackets that I can remove during the winter would be good. I will come up with something to hold them in place.

sdambr · March 18, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesL

Marsha, Thanks!

Hey Sue!
I went with white. Had to match the rest of my 'tainers...
(the 2 Jr's are chocolate but they will be living in mostly shade)

Cages - The burpee fence is practically ready made for it.

It is a short shopping list.
Pea fence:
http://www.burpee.com/gardening-supp...rod001250.html

Pambinex clips:
http://www.pambinaimpex.com/malleabl...-8-100-pieces/

Rim Clips or alternative
http://earthbox.com/earthbox-accesso...te-1-only.html

Rebar or alternative- Home Depot

more from bdank
http://forum.earthbox.com/index.php?...63701#msg63701

Thanks so much James (my go to source of endless info)!
Here is what I got from that:
Four is the magic number as the fences come in packs of 2, the 4 clips hold it to the box, the small clips hold the fence together, the rebar... to hold the boxes from tipping. I guess they sell the rebar in short sections (I don't think I would be able to cut), otherwise I guess there should be something at HD I could find. The fence is going to have to be bent to fit the box.
Sue

sdambr · March 18, 2015

I think I may have that wrong, you need both fences for each earthbox based on the measurements.

JamesL · March 18, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdambr

Thanks so much James (my go to source of endless info)!
Here is what I got from that:
Four is the magic number as the fences come in packs of 2, the 4 clips hold it to the box, the small clips hold the fence together, the rebar... to hold the boxes from tipping. I guess they sell the rebar in short sections (I don't think I would be able to cut), otherwise I guess there should be something at HD I could find. The fence is going to have to be bent to fit the box.
Sue

Sure thing!
2 comments:
Fences - you need one box of 2 per EB if you are growing indeterminates in them.
The clips are also used to hold the 2 together to make the double height cage.
The fences also have hinges on 3 sides and fit the top of the EB just about perfect so no need to bend them and the clips also close the 4th side.
Rebar - HD or Lowes, they might cut it for you. If not, get a hacksaw and some blades and hand it to your son.....

JamesL · April 10, 2015

FYI - I was able to get the Burpee cages to fit with no modifications using the Rim clamps and the original screws. I would like a tighter fit, but did not feel like disassembling and cutting the cages.

This configuration worked. Strong too. I carried it planted (no reservoir water) in and out of the garage a few times using the bottom rung of the cages as handles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesL

Marsha, Thanks!

Hey Sue!
I went with white. Had to match the rest of my 'tainers...
(the 2 Jr's are chocolate but they will be living in mostly shade)

Cages - The burpee fence is practically ready made for it.

It is a short shopping list.
Pea fence:
http://www.burpee.com/gardening-supp...rod001250.html

Pambinex clips:
http://www.pambinaimpex.com/malleabl...-8-100-pieces/

Rim Clips or alternative
http://earthbox.com/earthbox-accesso...te-1-only.html

Rebar or alternative- Home Depot

more from bdank
http://forum.earthbox.com/index.php?...63701#msg63701

sdambr · April 10, 2015

Wow, looks great! Are you planting peas in them? I was going to get them out hopefully this week, sowing them directly to garden.
I think I am going to to use mine for peppers this year. I will put them out around Memorial day.

Love all the photos.

JamesL · April 10, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdambr

Wow, looks great! Are you planting peas in them? I was going to get them out hopefully this week, sowing them directly to garden.
I think I am going to to use mine for peppers this year. I will put them out around Memorial day.

Love all the photos.

Peas in that one! Peppers and maybe basil in the rest of them.

March 18, 2015	#77
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	An Earthbox with big, indeterminate tomates can blow down in the wind, even if the resovoir is full of water. You should secure it to something, even if building blocks with bunge cords.

March 18, 2015	#81
birdermom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 116	ok...really using for dwarfs but I know some of those still can grow large. It would be bad to go check on them and they be in the pond....lol. I may attach the cage or trellis to the side of the dock and attach the box to it also. I think some brackets that I can remove during the winter would be good. I will come up with something to hold them in place.

March 18, 2015	#83
sdambr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 421	I think I may have that wrong, you need both fences for each earthbox based on the measurements.

April 10, 2015	#86
sdambr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 421	Wow, looks great! Are you planting peas in them? I was going to get them out hopefully this week, sowing them directly to garden. I think I am going to to use mine for peppers this year. I will put them out around Memorial day. Love all the photos.