i have two pots not earth boxes. On one of them, i"ve planted a hibiscus which is still small, four cucumbers which just germinated a week ago, and some peppers (california wonder) which have just germinated a few days ago. In the other pot, i planted a bean plant , idon"t know which type and it has just started flowering. My family has planned a trip which will be very far for a week and i need to make these pots self watering systems. PLEEEEEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!
🙂 Cool, but I just don't get these "false bottom" designs.
My understanding of wicking beds (Earthboxes work on the same principle) is that there should be a porous barrier between the soil and the reservoir. Without that barrier, the soil must have filled the reservoir in your box. That drastically reduces the volume of water in the reservoir.
Also, does the bottom feeding planting basket (at 2:30) support the middle of the platform / "false bottom" supporting the weight of the moist soil, and preventing the false bottom from buckling and breaking? 🙂
Thanks for posting. Two questions: 1) why isn't the lid that sets inside, above the reservoir, buckling and breaking under the pressure? 2) how much soil gets down into the reservoir through all the holes in that lid above the reservoir? 🙂
What a great idea and an even better system. Might suggest light straw mulch rather than the vis-screen whatever color you might think. Living in Townsville North Queensland Australia, we average temperatures of low to mid 80 during the winter so keeping plants cool is a skill we all need to learn mighty fast. A bale of straw or hay (straw has seed in it sometimes) is cheap and much cheaper than any of the ground cover manufactures screening materials available. Hope these boxes worked well for you.
I'm a grower w 22 Earthboxes. Benefits to Earthbox: 1. Food grade construction 2. Durability 3. Educational support from the Eb company and their forum. Some of the forum members have higher education in horticulture.
A friend of mine followed the above instructions. Within 2 years grow boxes were destroyed by weather. I've had my Earth boxes since early 2011. They still look and work like new. sometimes cheap is expensive! I know people who have had them for 20 years and they're still growing strong!
Question…i have mayerial that is cotton poly. Will that allow wicking if I use it to cover so dirt will not leak thru. Not covering hole where I have wicking pot. I have a lot of old bins I am using.
made some of these to use in southeast alabama, it gets hot here. right now the weather is 40 to 70 , night to day. how often do you have to add water ? summer when its 90 to 100 . reason i ask the 18 gal i just made i have to add water every 4 days.
Go about half way up and drill a hole on both sides of the white pipes and also drill two holes going through the pipe. Run a zip tie through the pipe and through both holes and secure it to stop curious minds from pulling out the pipe. No matter how many times you say don’t do it someone will pull it out. I like to use the lid of the container as the bottom. Just cut the lids sides off until it barely fits and drill plenty of holes. Same idea just using be kid.
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I see the video was made 2013, so how did it all turn out?
Can you do a review on your puzzle ring? @CrashbladeKnives
why do you put the PVC pipe for? With all the holes, can't you directly water the dirt?
What's the purpose of the big cup in the middle with the circle cut for it?
are you concerned that the containers are not food grade?
i have two pots not earth boxes. On one of them, i"ve planted a hibiscus which is still small, four cucumbers which just germinated a week ago, and some peppers (california wonder) which have just germinated a few days ago. In the other pot, i planted a bean plant , idon"t know which type and it has just started flowering. My family has planned a trip which will be very far for a week and i need to make these pots self watering systems. PLEEEEEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for your video, I made two this year and they turned out really well for peppers and tomatoes. I'm going to build 10 more for next year.
🙂
Cool, but I just don't get these "false bottom" designs.
My understanding of wicking beds (Earthboxes work on the same principle) is that there should be a porous barrier between the soil and the reservoir. Without that barrier, the soil must have filled the reservoir in your box. That drastically reduces the volume of water in the reservoir.
Also, does the bottom feeding planting basket (at 2:30) support the middle of the platform / "false bottom" supporting the weight of the moist soil, and preventing the false bottom from buckling and breaking?
🙂
Thanks for posting. Two questions: 1) why isn't the lid that sets inside, above the reservoir, buckling and breaking under the pressure? 2) how much soil gets down into the reservoir through all the holes in that lid above the reservoir? 🙂
What a great idea and an even better system. Might suggest light straw mulch rather than the vis-screen whatever color you might think. Living in Townsville North Queensland Australia, we average temperatures of low to mid 80 during the winter so keeping plants cool is a skill we all need to learn mighty fast. A bale of straw or hay (straw has seed in it sometimes) is cheap and much cheaper than any of the ground cover manufactures screening materials available. Hope these boxes worked well for you.
FYI Check out the alternative type of 'wicking barrel etc. at RobBobs Backyard Farming. on his You Tube channel.
Hi, in your FL climate, how often do you typically have to add water to these? Thanks for posting this, btw.
That is a really nice design @CrashbladeKnives
I was thinking sure what ever – Until you showed your past success. Great video. Thanks!
Papercrete construction, i'll let you know outcome. Thank you for good, inspiring sharing. Hari Rama
I'm a grower w 22 Earthboxes. Benefits to Earthbox:
1. Food grade construction
2. Durability
3. Educational support from the Eb company and their forum. Some of the forum members have higher education in horticulture.
A friend of mine followed the above instructions. Within 2 years grow boxes were destroyed by weather. I've had my Earth boxes since early 2011. They still look and work like new. sometimes cheap is expensive! I know people who have had them for 20 years and they're still growing strong!
They make a red plastic cover , that is for tomatoes. I think they call red mulch ? I'm not sure
Nice Video. What is the white Visqueen for? Your's is the first I've seen with visqueen.
about inside the home want do you do?
Excellent frames / plant stands!
I've had my food grade Earth Boxes since 2011. They are still like new!
How long can a tomato plant last without a water refill?
With only the one pot in the middle seems like the dirt weight would cave in eventually.
Thanks for the information
Question…i have mayerial that is cotton poly. Will that allow wicking if I use it to cover so dirt will not leak thru. Not covering hole where I have wicking pot. I have a lot of old bins I am using.
Rubbermaid Roughneck 18 gallon $32 + Rubbermade Roughneck 10 gallon $8 + Pond basket 10 inch $9 + PVC pipe $5 = $54 (not to mention time, labor, headache, etc).
Earthbox with fertilizer, dolomite, wheels, 2 mulch covers, and free Amazon prime shipping to your door = $54.99
what is the white cloth on top and why, liked the video .
made some of these to use in southeast alabama, it gets hot here. right now the weather is 40 to 70 , night to day. how often do you have to add water ? summer when its 90 to 100 . reason i ask the 18 gal i just made i have to add water every 4 days.
Go about half way up and drill a hole on both sides of the white pipes and also drill two holes going through the pipe. Run a zip tie through the pipe and through both holes and secure it to stop curious minds from pulling out the pipe. No matter how many times you say don’t do it someone will pull it out. I like to use the lid of the container as the bottom. Just cut the lids sides off until it barely fits and drill plenty of holes. Same idea just using be kid.
Why do you put the cloth on top?
plants looking very vigorous… looks like conditions for growing in the Amazon jungle
hi don't you mind what kind of you put fertizlier on this?
What about using a clearish tote, you could cut squares in and turn upside down for sun shading?
You should pattern and make these commercial
Are those food grade plastic?
Just waiting for people to start using clear totes with gold fish in the bottom for the kids to watch. bahahaha