Earthbox soil

Aphid · March 2, 2011

Hi wonderful forum members ! Happy new season !

Hey guys ...I have 2 of the popular commercial " Earthbox's" from last year that I want to use.

what is the best potting soil/mix ect...that I can use...or need to use... ,,I know it needs to be a "wicking" type mix.

can the forum members please give some brands or I'm even open to home-made..( I have some nice homebrew compost)

please suggest a common mix that is easy to find? My Tomatos will thank you ! and they promise not to be camera shy... !

thanks in advance, the Aphid.

Aphid · March 2, 2011

I want to add that I am an organic person when I can be , but I don't care if I can have a "not totally organic" tomato sandwich ...I'm not too picky.

please give soil advice..thank you

If you have a fertiliser that works for you please post that as well...!
I have some espoma garden-tone that I would like to use ...should I count on that?..it's more slow release ?
or perhaps the earthbox more effective with a" fast release" fert?..

Regards , the Aphid

Dewayne mater · March 2, 2011

I would not use the soil mix that they send. I tried it in the one EB that I bought and found their soil stayed saturated all the time and had a rotting smell. I also built earthtainers (Raybo posts the directions on here and there is a version 3 new for this year.) I ended up putting in the soil less mix recommended for the tainers in the box and it worked well. That recommended mix is 3 parts of something like Promix BX or some other soil less mix, 2 parts bark fines and 1 part perlite. This is a very fluffy mix that wicks the water up, but doesn't leave the roots sopping wet and unhappy. Good luck.

Dewayne Mater

Aphid · March 7, 2011

thank you !

let me make sure I get this right.
3 parts soil-less mix
2 parts Bark Fines
1 part Perlite.

got it.

I'm not familiar with 'Bark Fines". Is this a finely ground version of bark mulch for landscaping ?or a specific product I might find at a home center?

If so is there a certain wood I need to avoid, like pine bark ?

thanks in advance Dewayne and everyone !

I got my boxes today ordered without the soil, but does include the Ferts, lime and covers.

I have 12 different variety of tomato sprouting today.. I'm feeling good about this

eddie46 · March 7, 2011

I have used regular Miracle Grow for 5 years with no problems in 2 Earthboxes and 20 5gal self watering containers and an excellent harvast.

Aphid · March 7, 2011

Eddie thats good to know , I can find that anywhere !

I checked their website and they have about 14 different soils/mixes.
but I guess you mean the. plain ole potting mix.no additives

thanks for the tip !

bdank · March 7, 2011

I have 28 commercial earthboxes. In them I use Miracle grow potting mix. The mix not soil, and not the moisture control stuff, just the regular old potting mix. I use Tomato Tone for the fertilizer strip (3 cups). I also put 2 cups of lime in at the beginning of every season. If you check out the earthbox forum there are lots of good tips and tricks there.

Aphid · March 7, 2011

thanks bdank , I didn't stop to think earthbox had a forum, I'll go check it out.
The miracle grow is starting to sound like a winner for me.

plus I need to see how people are staking their tomato plants ,, we get some fierce winds here.

bdank · March 7, 2011

I had a bad experience with my earthboxes falling over last year because my staking system failed. I solved the problem by using electrical conduit for support. It was slipped over rebar that was pounded into the ground. Then I used zip ties to attach my cages to that. Sorry, I don't have any photos. If you do a search for staking on the earthbox forum will see photos of all the creative ideas people have come up with. http://forum.earthbox.com/

eddie46 · March 7, 2011

Diddo Bdank

Premium Miracle Grow Mix

Dewayne mater · March 7, 2011

Aphid - you got it right on the 321. I used some big box store mix last year without moisture control and it was fine. I use pine bark for my bark fines. The local ace sells Jeremiah pine bark mulch it is about the right size. Don't want big chunky mulch, but a smaller finer bark that mixes in easily with the soil. Good luck whichever way you go.

bdank · March 8, 2011

I haven't tried putting the pine bark fines in my with my potting mix yet. My potting mix is on it's 3rd year of use. I might try adding some pine park fines next year as I imagine the mix has started to break down by now. I do add some new mix to the old and lime every year.

coloken · March 8, 2011

It makes me fel good to hear others are using commercial potting mix. When I mention it on another forum, they shun me like i used a dirty word. They seem to think you should mix your own. Anyway, right now I am using potting mix (not the moisture one) with a little perlite mixed in. I will try mixing in the bark fines if I can find some. Will check Ace for them. FWIW, here in Colorado I kind of prefer Ace's potting mix, not so many big chunks.
KennyP

Irv Wiseguy · March 8, 2011

I've also had good success with Miracle Grow potting mix in my Earthboxes and home made Earthtainers. This year I bought a new bag and am using it to start seeds, and I've been getting a lot of little mushrooms coming up along side my tomato and pepper seedlings. I don't know if it's something to worry about or not. I've just been pulling the mushrooms out as I see them.

Irv

March 2, 2011	#1
Aphid Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Nashville TN zone 6-B Posts: 133	Earthbox soil Hi wonderful forum members ! Happy new season ! Hey guys ...I have 2 of the popular commercial " Earthbox's" from last year that I want to use. what is the best potting soil/mix ect...that I can use...or need to use... ,,I know it needs to be a "wicking" type mix. can the forum members please give some brands or I'm even open to home-made..( I have some nice homebrew compost) please suggest a common mix that is easy to find? My Tomatos will thank you ! and they promise not to be camera shy... ! thanks in advance, the Aphid. Last edited by Aphid; March 2, 2011 at 01:39 PM.

March 2, 2011	#2
Aphid Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Nashville TN zone 6-B Posts: 133	I want to add that I am an organic person when I can be , but I don't care if I can have a "not totally organic" tomato sandwich ...I'm not too picky. please give soil advice..thank you If you have a fertiliser that works for you please post that as well...! I have some espoma garden-tone that I would like to use ...should I count on that?..it's more slow release ? or perhaps the earthbox more effective with a" fast release" fert?.. Regards , the Aphid Last edited by Aphid; March 2, 2011 at 01:41 PM.

March 7, 2011	#7
bdank Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 51	I have 28 commercial earthboxes. In them I use Miracle grow potting mix. The mix not soil, and not the moisture control stuff, just the regular old potting mix. I use Tomato Tone for the fertilizer strip (3 cups). I also put 2 cups of lime in at the beginning of every season. If you check out the earthbox forum there are lots of good tips and tricks there. Last edited by bdank; March 7, 2011 at 07:58 PM.

March 7, 2011	#11
Dewayne mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,212	Aphid - you got it right on the 321. I used some big box store mix last year without moisture control and it was fine. I use pine bark for my bark fines. The local ace sells Jeremiah pine bark mulch it is about the right size. Don't want big chunky mulch, but a smaller finer bark that mixes in easily with the soil. Good luck whichever way you go. Last edited by Dewayne mater; March 8, 2011 at 02:23 PM. Reason: misspelling

March 7, 2011	#5
eddie46 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SW PA Posts: 160	I have used regular Miracle Grow for 5 years with no problems in 2 Earthboxes and 20 5gal self watering containers and an excellent harvast.

March 8, 2011	#12
bdank Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 51	I haven't tried putting the pine bark fines in my with my potting mix yet. My potting mix is on it's 3rd year of use. I might try adding some pine park fines next year as I imagine the mix has started to break down by now. I do add some new mix to the old and lime every year.

March 8, 2011	#13
coloken Tomatovillian™ Honoree Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NE Co Posts: 303	It makes me fel good to hear others are using commercial potting mix. When I mention it on another forum, they shun me like i used a dirty word. They seem to think you should mix your own. Anyway, right now I am using potting mix (not the moisture one) with a little perlite mixed in. I will try mixing in the bark fines if I can find some. Will check Ace for them. FWIW, here in Colorado I kind of prefer Ace's potting mix, not so many big chunks. KennyP

March 8, 2011	#14
Irv Wiseguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 281	I've also had good success with Miracle Grow potting mix in my Earthboxes and home made Earthtainers. This year I bought a new bag and am using it to start seeds, and I've been getting a lot of little mushrooms coming up along side my tomato and pepper seedlings. I don't know if it's something to worry about or not. I've just been pulling the mushrooms out as I see them. Irv