The New EarthTainer III "Convertible" Guide Now Available - Page 8

desertlzbn · April 18, 2011

YEAH RAY, I just finished making 3 of the earthtainer III's, Now just to get my plants in them. I ended up with about 1500 tomato plants to sell this year, and with having shoulder surgery in Jan. it was just about more than I could handle. I ended up donating about 400 plants to the local food bank farm, so at least they did not just end up in the compost pile.
Now I just have to get the rest of my tomato plants planted. I still have about 30 plants to plant, and now I gotta figure out where i am gonna put them, but now at least 6 are gonna fit in my new earthboxes. Although I am retrofitting RCW for the cages, just because that is what I have to work with. I will take pictures and let you know how it turns out.

linuxman51 · April 18, 2011

I built two of these last week to isolate my hot peppers from the rest of my peppers. They've been quite the curiosity between friends and family.

I haven't attached cages to them yet, but will probably do that next weekend

(lowe's didn't have color matching lids...)

rnewste · April 18, 2011

Looking good!! I really like the 'two-tone" effect.

Remember to top water occasionally until the root system takes hold.

Keep us posted with photos as the Season progresses.

Raybo

linuxman51 · April 26, 2011

the other hot peppers got beat up in a drive-by aphid and lacebug beatdown, so they're on the mend, but the rest of them seem to be doing pretty good:
Jalapenos

It took them up to a few days ago to really get situated to where I didn't have to water them from the top.

the other hot peppers (infestation more or less handled, now it's just recovery and waiting)

techsmith · May 3, 2011

Ray, I'm going to be working on building my earthtainer's this year. Last year I did 5 gallon buckets. What do you think about using this cage for the earthtainer.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_47230_-1______54730|86719|47230?navSource=giftStore&giftS toreLevel=&identifier=Garden-Stakes-&categoryId=86719&categoryIdAncestor=54730&listing Page=true&Special=false

rnewste · May 3, 2011

tech,

I would be concerned that it is only 12 inches wide and 42 inches high. Also, it is a single rib fabrication so I think it might have more of a tendency to twist and collapse under weight. I can't figure out how you would rigidly attach them to the EarthTainer shell. At a minimum, you would need to lash 2 of them together side-by-side, then another 2 on top of this pair for the cage extension. This would take 4 units at $4.00 each and you would end up with a smaller 24" by 12" cage to restrict the 2 tomato plants within.

Frankly, for $17.00 delivered from Gurneys, you get the right size (28" by 14"), of both the base cage and extension cage - all you need are the 8 wire rope clips to tie both together. You would need twice as many clips to tie the 4 Tractor Supply cages together, and it still would not fit the EarthTainer properly. Am I missing something??

Raybo

techsmith · May 3, 2011

Raybo,

Your not missing anything. I'll be ordering 2 from Gurneys tonight. Thanks

Tony

rnewste · May 4, 2011

Tony,

You know the "drill" to get the $25.00 off a $50.00 order - right?

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1000324/

If not, before you order the Gurney's cages, PM me and I can walk you through the process.

Raybo

espiegel123 · May 4, 2011

Ray,

Can you walk us through your recommended procedure for how to use Clearex with an Earthtainer? And how often would you recommend applying it?

Thanks,

Edward

jardinero · May 6, 2011

I live in northeast PA near Scranton. I went to Lowe's and bought all the stuff for 3 Earthtainers plus some necessary tools that I did not have. Before I start working, I want to be sure I can either purchase or make my own grow mix. I searched the websites for the two recommended brands and from what I can gather, I am out of luck being in PA. Has anyone on or near the east coast found a good source more commonly available? I see Miracle Grow, but have never seen it without the moisture control feature. So I am getting a little worried, and would welcome any advice. Gracias, El Jardinero

rnewste · May 6, 2011

Edward,

I am 2400 miles away from my bottle of Clearex at the moment, but as I recall last Season I diluted it to half the recommended strength for a soil drench and poured about one pint per plant. I did this at 6 week intervals.

El,

I am surprised that you can't get Pro-Mix BX in PA, as I thought these folks concentrated east of the Mississippi. In any event, if you can only find the less expensive Potting Mixes, I would add another half scoop of Perlite, as these Mixes don't contain as much Perlite as Pro-Mix or Sunshine Mix #4. Something like 3:2:1.5

Raybo

jardinero · May 6, 2011

Raybo,
Thanks for your reply. I focused in on the Premier website and now have a lot more info. What do you pay for pro mix retail in CA? Thanks, J.

rnewste · May 6, 2011

The Pro-Mix BX runs $37.00 for a 3.8 cu. ft. bale. The (better) Sunshine Mix #4 is selling for $28.00 for a 3.8 cu. ft. bale at South Bay Hydroponics.

If you haven't already called your local Hydro Store, I would check their pricing on both.

Raybo

jardinero · May 7, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnewste

The Pro-Mix BX runs $37.00 for a 3.8 cu. ft. bale. The (better) Sunshine Mix #4 is selling for $28.00 for a 3.8 cu. ft. bale at South Bay Hydroponics.

If you haven't already called your local Hydro Store, I would check their pricing on both.

Raybo

local hydro store in rural PA? That is a good one. Cannabis is still a felony, we are lucky to have Walmart. I did find Promix a little over $30 per bale only 130 mi. away, not bad all considered. Now all I need is a water source and I am ready to build. Like cooking, you want to be sure you have all the ingredients BEFORE you start cooking.

desertlzbn · May 9, 2011

Check www.cpsagu.com and see if they have any locations near you. This is where I buy my sunshine mix from. pretty good prices.

April 18, 2011	#107
linuxman51 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: montgomery, al Posts: 91	I built two of these last week to isolate my hot peppers from the rest of my peppers. They've been quite the curiosity between friends and family. I haven't attached cages to them yet, but will probably do that next weekend (lowe's didn't have color matching lids...) __________________ gearhead... (with a small garden) 1990 volvo 740 16vturbo, hx-52. Race car. 10.82@129mph 1994 volvo 940 wagon, turbo. 14.5@?. Good at hauling dirt, excellent DD 2003 Evo VIII, ams 35r, cams, etc. 440awhp, fun DD 11.6@123mph

April 26, 2011	#109
linuxman51 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: montgomery, al Posts: 91	the other hot peppers got beat up in a drive-by aphid and lacebug beatdown, so they're on the mend, but the rest of them seem to be doing pretty good: Jalapenos It took them up to a few days ago to really get situated to where I didn't have to water them from the top. the other hot peppers (infestation more or less handled, now it's just recovery and waiting) __________________ gearhead... (with a small garden) 1990 volvo 740 16vturbo, hx-52. Race car. 10.82@129mph 1994 volvo 940 wagon, turbo. 14.5@?. Good at hauling dirt, excellent DD 2003 Evo VIII, ams 35r, cams, etc. 440awhp, fun DD 11.6@123mph

May 6, 2011	#115
jardinero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3	grow mix challenges I live in northeast PA near Scranton. I went to Lowe's and bought all the stuff for 3 Earthtainers plus some necessary tools that I did not have. Before I start working, I want to be sure I can either purchase or make my own grow mix. I searched the websites for the two recommended brands and from what I can gather, I am out of luck being in PA. Has anyone on or near the east coast found a good source more commonly available? I see Miracle Grow, but have never seen it without the moisture control feature. So I am getting a little worried, and would welcome any advice. Gracias, El Jardinero

May 6, 2011	#117
jardinero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3	premier pro-mix Raybo, Thanks for your reply. I focused in on the Premier website and now have a lot more info. What do you pay for pro mix retail in CA? Thanks, J.

April 18, 2011	#106
desertlzbn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tucson Posts: 659	YEAH RAY, I just finished making 3 of the earthtainer III's, Now just to get my plants in them. I ended up with about 1500 tomato plants to sell this year, and with having shoulder surgery in Jan. it was just about more than I could handle. I ended up donating about 400 plants to the local food bank farm, so at least they did not just end up in the compost pile. Now I just have to get the rest of my tomato plants planted. I still have about 30 plants to plant, and now I gotta figure out where i am gonna put them, but now at least 6 are gonna fit in my new earthboxes. Although I am retrofitting RCW for the cages, just because that is what I have to work with. I will take pictures and let you know how it turns out.

April 18, 2011	#108
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Looking good!! I really like the 'two-tone" effect. Remember to top water occasionally until the root system takes hold. Keep us posted with photos as the Season progresses. Raybo

May 3, 2011	#110
techsmith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: TN Posts: 3	Ray, I'm going to be working on building my earthtainer's this year. Last year I did 5 gallon buckets. What do you think about using this cage for the earthtainer. http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_47230_-1______54730\|86719\|47230?navSource=giftStore&giftS toreLevel=&identifier=Garden-Stakes-&categoryId=86719&categoryIdAncestor=54730&listing Page=true&Special=false

May 3, 2011	#111
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	tech, I would be concerned that it is only 12 inches wide and 42 inches high. Also, it is a single rib fabrication so I think it might have more of a tendency to twist and collapse under weight. I can't figure out how you would rigidly attach them to the EarthTainer shell. At a minimum, you would need to lash 2 of them together side-by-side, then another 2 on top of this pair for the cage extension. This would take 4 units at $4.00 each and you would end up with a smaller 24" by 12" cage to restrict the 2 tomato plants within. Frankly, for $17.00 delivered from Gurneys, you get the right size (28" by 14"), of both the base cage and extension cage - all you need are the 8 wire rope clips to tie both together. You would need twice as many clips to tie the 4 Tractor Supply cages together, and it still would not fit the EarthTainer properly. Am I missing something?? Raybo

May 3, 2011	#112
techsmith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: TN Posts: 3	Raybo, Your not missing anything. I'll be ordering 2 from Gurneys tonight. Thanks Tony

May 4, 2011	#113
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Tony, You know the "drill" to get the $25.00 off a $50.00 order - right? http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1000324/ If not, before you order the Gurney's cages, PM me and I can walk you through the process. Raybo

May 4, 2011	#114
espiegel123 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: California Posts: 14	Ray, Can you walk us through your recommended procedure for how to use Clearex with an Earthtainer? And how often would you recommend applying it? Thanks, Edward

May 6, 2011	#116
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Edward, I am 2400 miles away from my bottle of Clearex at the moment, but as I recall last Season I diluted it to half the recommended strength for a soil drench and poured about one pint per plant. I did this at 6 week intervals. El, I am surprised that you can't get Pro-Mix BX in PA, as I thought these folks concentrated east of the Mississippi. In any event, if you can only find the less expensive Potting Mixes, I would add another half scoop of Perlite, as these Mixes don't contain as much Perlite as Pro-Mix or Sunshine Mix #4. Something like 3:2:1.5 Raybo

May 6, 2011	#118
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	The Pro-Mix BX runs $37.00 for a 3.8 cu. ft. bale. The (better) Sunshine Mix #4 is selling for $28.00 for a 3.8 cu. ft. bale at South Bay Hydroponics. If you haven't already called your local Hydro Store, I would check their pricing on both. Raybo

May 9, 2011	#120
desertlzbn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tucson Posts: 659	Check www.cpsagu.com and see if they have any locations near you. This is where I buy my sunshine mix from. pretty good prices.