Earthbox...insight please - Page 5

Worth1 · March 13, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdermom

I know the white would be better...can you paint, etc, the plastic that either the EB or the diy planter is made out of? I know that you can put a protective "coat" of something like we use on the kayaks to prevent breakdown. It would probably increase the life of both. Also, yield may be a factor for some, but just us two here now, and I garden for many reasons and yield isn't the most important to me at this time as long as each plant produces "something" whether it be a fruit, flower, etc. Sometimes the yield is too much around here and I am begging people to take extra..

Buy the paint called krylon fusion or the equivalent for plastic the stuff works.

Use it in at least 2 coats if not 3.
The first coat should be really light let dry and do the same 2 or 3 more times.
If not sometimes it will cause the color you are trying to cover bleed through.

Worth

Sun City Linda · March 13, 2015

EB has always carried white in the past and I assume they still do. They are made to stand up to light and heat, again the inventor was a professional tomato grower in Florida designing them for his own use in the field.

I painted some new black plastic nursery containers a couple years ago. I purchased spray paint made for plastic. Some of it has peeled but most of it is still in place.

Worth1 · March 13, 2015

I just looked and they do carry white.
If you go to the bottom of the page of this link you will see the white ones.
http://earthbox.com/earthbox-systems...ng-system.html

Worth

birdermom · March 13, 2015

Thanks! If I decide to try any of the diy later I will know how to paint white...going to do that to some containers I use now.

JamesL · March 14, 2015

I did break down and buy 4 Earthbox's and a pair of jr's today. Also bought some grow bags....

crazyoldgooseman · March 14, 2015

Birdermom,

Do you watch birds?

parah · March 15, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by bughunter99

You should know that I am an idiot when it comes to tools, I rush things and don't follow directions, so I am very pleased that my interpretation of the standard direction set also works just fine....usually my projects have some issues. Heh.

Stacy

Ha ha, you are fun.
I have the same genetic programing for "rush and don't follow directions"

More fun, but I had to rebuild my EarthTainers. Apparently Raybo has everything down to a science and my "clever shortcuts" didn't help.

birdermom · March 15, 2015

Yep....love nature...birdwatching for years....

JamesL · March 17, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesL

I did break down and buy 4 Earthbox's and a pair of jr's today. Also bought some grow bags....

Earthboxes showed up already.....

Marsha and Linda,
What are y'all using for cage support? The bdank / Raybo method (Burpee pea fence and rim clamps) or something else?
http://tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=16256&page=2

I will have to go back and order some rim clamps unless I can find an easy alternative for them. The simplest alternative being just drill some holes and use zip ties.

ginger2778 · March 17, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesL

Earthboxes showed up already.....

Marsha and Linda,
What are y'all using for cage support? The bdank / Raybo method (Burpee pea fence and rim clamps) or something else?
http://tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=16256&page=2

I will have to go back and order some rim clamps unless I can find an easy alternative for them. The simplest alternative being just drill some holes and use zip ties.

I have so many that it paid for me to buy a roll of galvanized field fence, and cut off cage sized pieces and make my own, but I hear concrete reinforcing wire also works well, if you don't mind the rust. The Raybo method would be the way to go if I only had a few EBs.

sdambr · March 17, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesL

I did break down and buy 4 Earthbox's and a pair of jr's today. Also bought some grow bags....

Just wondering what color? Did you stay away from the white? I wanted the terracotta but as mentioned above, white may stay cooler.

And I would love to hear an easy solution for 3 cages for them.

JamesL · March 17, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginger2778

I have so many that it paid for me to buy a roll of galvanized field fence, and cut off cage sized pieces and make my own, but I hear concrete reinforcing wire also works well, if you don't mind the rust. The Raybo method would be the way to go if I only had a few EBs.

Marsha, Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdambr

Just wondering what color? Did you stay away from the white? I wanted the terracotta but as mentioned above, white may stay cooler.

And I would love to hear an easy solution for 3 cages for them.

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

birdermom · March 18, 2015

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...

rtvvvv · March 18, 2015

just FYI sterilite 30 gal. totes on sale at Target for $8 (food safe)

birdermom · March 18, 2015

That is good deal....Have looked at diy boxes and appear to be good, less expensive, but for me this year I am going to try the earthboxes(ordered 3..free shipping...10% off also) and also "gutter gardening connected to my rain barrel" with dwarfs and others to see what may work for me. I am thinking the diy boxes will be a good project for the next winter blues....but spring is here! Well it was yesterday...29 this morning..ugh

March 14, 2015	#66
crazyoldgooseman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Southern Maryland 7a Posts: 200	Birdermom, Do you watch birds? __________________ Anybody see where I sat my beer? -crazyoldgooseman

March 13, 2015	#62
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	EB has always carried white in the past and I assume they still do. They are made to stand up to light and heat, again the inventor was a professional tomato grower in Florida designing them for his own use in the field. I painted some new black plastic nursery containers a couple years ago. I purchased spray paint made for plastic. Some of it has peeled but most of it is still in place.

March 13, 2015	#63
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I just looked and they do carry white. If you go to the bottom of the page of this link you will see the white ones. http://earthbox.com/earthbox-systems...ng-system.html Worth

March 13, 2015	#64
birdermom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 116	Thanks! If I decide to try any of the diy later I will know how to paint white...going to do that to some containers I use now.

March 14, 2015	#65
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	I did break down and buy 4 Earthbox's and a pair of jr's today. Also bought some grow bags....

March 15, 2015	#68
birdermom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 116	Yep....love nature...birdwatching for years....

March 18, 2015	#73
birdermom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 116	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...

March 18, 2015	#74
rtvvvv Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: mi Posts: 80	just FYI sterilite 30 gal. totes on sale at Target for $8 (food safe)