Storing Earthbox outdoor through freezing winter?

maxjohnson · April 23, 2019

Have anyone left their Earthboxes outdoor through winter with snow and below freezing temperature? I can move them into the shed, but the space will be limited especially once I accumulate more of them it won't be possible. I rather not have to dump out the potting mix and stack them.

I can make sure let it dry out and put on the cover so no more water get in, so it won't freeze and expand. But if it's too much risk of the plastic cracking, then I might have to stick with grow bags.

zipcode · April 23, 2019

Reservoir full might be a problem. Just the soil freezing, not. However the soil will 'degrade' faster this way, meaning will decompose and compact faster than if dry stored.

asaump · April 26, 2019

I left mine out for the first time this year here in Maine. I have 2 regular and 1 Jr. I have planted some peas in both the regular boxes so far. They seem to have survived the winter with no ill affects. I did pull all the mix out of them when I planted this year. I had used them last year for peppers and took the roots out this spring. I tipped them all toward the drain while they over wintered so the water would not accumulate in them. so far so good.

Greatgardens · June 2, 2019

I turn them on their (drain hole) side. I leave the roots intact to help hold the mix. Have not moved or emptied the mix for probably 5 or 6 years. No issues.

oakley · June 2, 2019

left mine out. Tilted on the drain side and left them that way face to face.
I only planted two last year. Newbie testing. And they did really well for peppers,
keeping them properly watered all season. Fantastic design.
(big thanks to Marsha for the recommendation)

Greatgardens · June 22, 2019

I should add that my son-in-law left his outside for several years without any prep at all, and they never cracked or had any other issues. I rescued them last fall and emptied them and stored them in my mini barn. Checked them for leaks this spring, and they were in good shape. Not that I recommend abusing them, but they are quite durable!

April 23, 2019	#1
maxjohnson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: OH 6a Posts: 592	Storing Earthbox outdoor through freezing winter? Have anyone left their Earthboxes outdoor through winter with snow and below freezing temperature? I can move them into the shed, but the space will be limited especially once I accumulate more of them it won't be possible. I rather not have to dump out the potting mix and stack them. I can make sure let it dry out and put on the cover so no more water get in, so it won't freeze and expand. But if it's too much risk of the plastic cracking, then I might have to stick with grow bags. Last edited by maxjohnson; April 23, 2019 at 12:38 AM.

April 26, 2019	#3
asaump Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Maine, 4b Posts: 73	I left mine out for the first time this year here in Maine. I have 2 regular and 1 Jr. I have planted some peas in both the regular boxes so far. They seem to have survived the winter with no ill affects. I did pull all the mix out of them when I planted this year. I had used them last year for peppers and took the roots out this spring. I tipped them all toward the drain while they over wintered so the water would not accumulate in them. so far so good. __________________ Ken

April 23, 2019	#2
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	Reservoir full might be a problem. Just the soil freezing, not. However the soil will 'degrade' faster this way, meaning will decompose and compact faster than if dry stored.

June 2, 2019	#4
Greatgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,124	I turn them on their (drain hole) side. I leave the roots intact to help hold the mix. Have not moved or emptied the mix for probably 5 or 6 years. No issues.

June 2, 2019	#5
oakley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NewYork 5a Posts: 2,303	left mine out. Tilted on the drain side and left them that way face to face. I only planted two last year. Newbie testing. And they did really well for peppers, keeping them properly watered all season. Fantastic design. (big thanks to Marsha for the recommendation)

June 22, 2019	#6
Greatgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,124	I should add that my son-in-law left his outside for several years without any prep at all, and they never cracked or had any other issues. I rescued them last fall and emptied them and stored them in my mini barn. Checked them for leaks this spring, and they were in good shape. Not that I recommend abusing them, but they are quite durable!