Earthbox...insight please - Page 2

Worth1 · March 11, 2015

One 5 gallon bucket holds 0.66 cubic feet so two would be 1.32

As was said the earth box will hold about 2 cubic feet but I think they advertize 2.5 cubic feet.

Big difference.

Worth

Barb_FL · March 11, 2015

When I purchase directly from EB, I buy 3 (so $30 each) and always have waited until they had free shipping sale. I definitely think they are worth $30.

I had some with casters, and the rest on dolly's. I have since replaced most of the dolly's with the casters.

On one of the Cyber deals, I bought from a link on Amazon, and got 2 more complete EB (casters, replanting kit), and several sets of casters for a great price (and free shipping).

I have 14-15 now and have never paid for shipping.

I also made one with the lid inside and it took me all day. It was hard getting that lid inside. At that time, I decided that the EB is worth every penny.

I have also made an easier version, with a tray underneath for water - and net pots sitting in tray. I've used bricks the hold up other portions of the container, and am trying sturdy Styrofoam.

Barb_FL · March 11, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

One 5 gallon bucket holds 0.66 cubic feet so two would be 1.32

As was said the earth box will hold about 2 cubic feet but I think they advertize 2.5 cubic feet.

Big difference.

Worth

Probably 2.5 because you build a big mound higher than the edges; so rain with run off.

birdermom · March 11, 2015

Bet they don't have deals during the growing season....shipping is horrible...ugh

Dutch · March 11, 2015

I have over a 100 self watering growing containers built from buckets and totes and 44 genuine Earthboxes. After spending over a thousand dollars buying Earthboxes from Earthbox themselves, they wouldn’t give me support. They even decline my registration request to join their Earthbox forum. I have belonged to dozens of forums over the years and have never been banned from any of them! I guess it must have been my blond hair they had a problem with.
Here is a link to a rather simple designed DIY box. Simple DIY Self Watering Grow Box
Dutch

Worth1 · March 11, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

Probably 2.5 because you build a big mound higher than the edges; so rain with run off.

Your right I just looked at the instructions and theu said to put a 2 inch mound on top.
Even they said 2 cubic feet not 2.5 that was something I read on a forum while looking.
I bet some of these folks dont even read the instructions, mostly men.

I like these things I dont need any but I like them.
I like the castors too.

Instructions.
http://earthbox.com/earthbox-pdf/EB-...IONS_NEW-2.pdf

Worth

Sun City Linda · March 11, 2015

In Earthbox I grow two tomatoes of any kind. Mostly I grow indeterminate heirlooms and they get pretty big.

Worth1 · March 11, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdermom

Bet they don't have deals during the growing season....shipping is horrible...ugh

Your married right, can your spouse make them for you?

Looks to me all you need is a drill a hacksaw and something to cut the inside of the lid.

Worth

Stvrob · March 11, 2015

Early morning raid for recycling bins.

birdermom · March 11, 2015

Do you have any concerns about "leaching" chemicals from the pvc or other plastics used in some of the diy? When reading saw that concern in some articles.

ginger2778 · March 11, 2015

OK, I guess I have to speak up. I flat out love Earthboxes. Gardening is so much simpler, and my season is very extended because of them. We are infested with nematodes here in S. Fl., and the root knots form and starve the plants in around 2 months. The Earthboxes extend my season to close to 9 months. I have 43. They actually hold 2.8 cu ft of potting mix. The plastic does not breal down in the sunlight. People are getting 22 years and counting out of them. So you only buy them once. I bought a few Growboxes, trying to save money, and the Earthboxes are so superior to them that it isn't even close. My advice, bite the bullet and buy the Earthboxes, you won't be sorry at all. Then use Tomato Tone as your fert, and you will have delicious tomatoes and plants that just keep cranking them out like machines! I put 2 tomato plants in each, even indeterminates.
And no, I do not own stock in Earthbox or Tomato Tone!!!

Stvrob · March 11, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdermom

Do you have any concerns about "leaching" chemicals from the pvc or other plastics used in some of the diy? When reading saw that concern in some articles.

We are all doomed if PVC leaches dangerous chemicals. I think they use it for drinking water even in California?

birdermom · March 11, 2015

Yep..spouse could..or son. I try to do my own thing if I can but could ask if I decide to try diy.

Dutch · March 11, 2015

The buckets I use came from a local restaurant and had contained food products. You do have to know which plastics are safe and which are not.
Dutch

Worth1 · March 11, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stvrob

We are all doomed if PVC leaches dangerous chemicals. I think they use it for drinking water even in California?

There is nothing wrong with PVC I have had this argument many times with people saying you cant use it for drinking water.
I think I may know too much about the stuff.

I even worked in the plants that made it.

Most of the leaching that come from plastics is when you heat it anyway.

PVC is actually better than steel pipe because it doesn't harbor harmful bacteria like steel does.

Worth

March 11, 2015	#20
Dutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: S.E. Wisconsin Zone 5b Posts: 1,831	I have over a 100 self watering growing containers built from buckets and totes and 44 genuine Earthboxes. After spending over a thousand dollars buying Earthboxes from Earthbox themselves, they wouldn’t give me support. They even decline my registration request to join their Earthbox forum. I have belonged to dozens of forums over the years and have never been banned from any of them! I guess it must have been my blond hair they had a problem with. Here is a link to a rather simple designed DIY box. Simple DIY Self Watering Grow Box Dutch __________________ "Discretion is the better part of valor" Charles Churchill The intuitive mind is a gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. But we have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. (paraphrased) Albert Einstein I come from a long line of sod busters, spanning back several centuries.

March 11, 2015	#29
Dutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: S.E. Wisconsin Zone 5b Posts: 1,831	The buckets I use came from a local restaurant and had contained food products. You do have to know which plastics are safe and which are not. Dutch __________________ "Discretion is the better part of valor" Charles Churchill The intuitive mind is a gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. But we have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. (paraphrased) Albert Einstein I come from a long line of sod busters, spanning back several centuries.

March 11, 2015	#16
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	One 5 gallon bucket holds 0.66 cubic feet so two would be 1.32 As was said the earth box will hold about 2 cubic feet but I think they advertize 2.5 cubic feet. Big difference. Worth

March 11, 2015	#17
Barb_FL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indialantic, Florida Posts: 2,000	When I purchase directly from EB, I buy 3 (so $30 each) and always have waited until they had free shipping sale. I definitely think they are worth $30. I had some with casters, and the rest on dolly's. I have since replaced most of the dolly's with the casters. On one of the Cyber deals, I bought from a link on Amazon, and got 2 more complete EB (casters, replanting kit), and several sets of casters for a great price (and free shipping). I have 14-15 now and have never paid for shipping. I also made one with the lid inside and it took me all day. It was hard getting that lid inside. At that time, I decided that the EB is worth every penny. I have also made an easier version, with a tray underneath for water - and net pots sitting in tray. I've used bricks the hold up other portions of the container, and am trying sturdy Styrofoam.

March 11, 2015	#19
birdermom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 116	Bet they don't have deals during the growing season....shipping is horrible...ugh

March 11, 2015	#22
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	In Earthbox I grow two tomatoes of any kind. Mostly I grow indeterminate heirlooms and they get pretty big.

March 11, 2015	#24
Stvrob Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,413	Early morning raid for recycling bins.

March 11, 2015	#26
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	OK, I guess I have to speak up. I flat out love Earthboxes. Gardening is so much simpler, and my season is very extended because of them. We are infested with nematodes here in S. Fl., and the root knots form and starve the plants in around 2 months. The Earthboxes extend my season to close to 9 months. I have 43. They actually hold 2.8 cu ft of potting mix. The plastic does not breal down in the sunlight. People are getting 22 years and counting out of them. So you only buy them once. I bought a few Growboxes, trying to save money, and the Earthboxes are so superior to them that it isn't even close. My advice, bite the bullet and buy the Earthboxes, you won't be sorry at all. Then use Tomato Tone as your fert, and you will have delicious tomatoes and plants that just keep cranking them out like machines! I put 2 tomato plants in each, even indeterminates. And no, I do not own stock in Earthbox or Tomato Tone!!!