I'm trying a gardening experiment.

**Frugal Nurse** · 05-18-2008, 03:44 PM

This is very unfrugal... I know. But I am hoping with this experiment, I can see if I can get more veggies from it. Therby... off setting the cost.
But no bother, it's in the interest of science.

I bought the Earthbox. It's suppose be sooo fantastic that you'll double your crop.

I'm up for a challenge. I'll experiment.... being a research nurse and all...

So, I planted 4 tomato plants in the Earthbox. I followed the instructions to the letter.

I planted 2 tomato plants in my garden.

I will post the progress as I go.

Just an aside... last year, my tomatos were pooping out in my garden. They just didn't perform as expected.

I'm interested to see if there is a difference.

**PrairieRose** · 05-18-2008, 04:13 PM

I need to google it and see what it is but last year Gripey got some sort of box that cut down on the watering. His tomatoes did really well in it. We bought that hanging tomato planter.....don't waste your money on it......didn't do worth a dip flip for us and I swear that man can grow an oak tree from a dead twig.

**latierra84** · 05-18-2008, 08:16 PM

ohhh! I'm excited to see how it works for you. I've got a few tom plants in styrofoam coolers but its just not working very well, good thing its only a few plants. The ones in the ground are three times their size.

**Frugal Nurse** · 05-19-2008, 07:32 AM

Day one.

The tomato plants are about 12 inches high.

**Ceashels** · 05-19-2008, 08:22 AM

I've heard good things about the Earth box. A choir member had cucumbers in them last year and had a very bountiful harvest.

I'll be interested in seeing how your experiment progresses.

**ShawnaRae** · 05-19-2008, 07:15 PM

I'll be interested to hear how it works for you as well! We built a couple of raised beds this year, I'm excited for the extra space! I have seen the 'earth box', but I did an unfrugal thing earlier this year. I invested in grow lights and shelves so I could more easily start my seeds inside! I think I've used up my 'garden money' for this season! I think it will pay for itself in about 5 years!

I don't splurge very often, but I sure did with this. But the grow lights have worked wonderfully and all of my plants are healthy with nice fat stalks! I bet your 'earth boxes' will work great as well. It will be worth it in the long run!

**Frugal Nurse** · 06-14-2008, 04:12 PM

Update:
I'm sorry I didn't post these pictures last week.
But here are the pics that were taken on 6/8/08 - 3 weeks after planting.
The EARTH box is definitely the front runner. at about 2 feet high and lush.
The garden plants are about 18 inches high and looking skanky.

I side dressed the garden plants on 6/8/08 with some composted fertilizer. And did nothing more with the Earth Box.
Let's see what happens.

Addendum
I'm having a wicked time uploading my pics from this computer. Sorry, I guess for now, you'll just have to imagine it.
I'll send them to my work computer and upload from there. (not going in until Monday though)

**Missy** · 06-14-2008, 04:35 PM

Im excited to see the difference in your results.

**frugalfoster** · 06-14-2008, 05:22 PM

I'm curious to see how this works out for you. My friend, who owns a flower shop, said that I am the only person who could kill an already dead fern...... I wonder if this would work for me???? I love home-grown tomatoes.

**Russ** · 06-14-2008, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by Frugal Nurse

Addendum
I'm having a wicked time uploading my pics from this computer. Sorry, I guess for now, you'll just have to imagine it.
I'll send them to my work computer and upload from there. (not going in until Monday though)

oh sure.leave us hanging

**EmilyD** · 06-14-2008, 11:51 PM

Great pictures FN!!

I love the boxes, even if they don't grow crops as well.

**Frugal Nurse** · 06-16-2008, 08:49 AM

Sorry for the delay in the updated photos.

Totally in favor of the Earthbox. http://www.earthbox.com/consumer/what_is.html

Of course, the Earthbox isn't very frugal and this is a frugal site, so my intention was to find out if this thing worked as advertised and if there are alternatives.

Thus far, it appears it works fantastically.

I bought it to see if I could find a way to duplicate it - not exactly of course, infringement on patent. I'm not selling the duplicate it to anyone, I am using it myself - so I believe I am not infringing.

take a look at the link I provided. http://www.earthbox.com/consumer/instructions.html
The plastic box is about 32"L x 12"W x 15"H. (estimate)

The bottom is a 4"-5"H water reservoir which is partially covered with a plastic screen mesh so that the soil will sit on top of the mesh. There is a about a 3" wide edge so the soil falls into the water. (for osmosis)

The are on casters for easy movement.

There is an overflow hole just above the reservoir at the level where the mesh sits. You can never overwater and the plant pulls the water it needs when it needs it.

There is a 2" inner diameter plastic tube that sits in the reservoir and rests along the edge of the box and pokes out of the soil. This is the watering tube. Very convenient.

Follow the directions on the website to the letter to plant the boxes.

Cover with a plastic weed protector. Black for the northern states... reflective for the southern states. Poke a hole and plant according to the plant placement guide in link.

You water through the tube until you see the overflow.

I like these boxes! It's great for the urban gardener, the beginning gardener who doesn't know where to start, anyone looking for edible patio plants, more spots to plant, limited planting site.

But ladies and gentlemen... based on the description.. what can you offer for alternatives to making these boxes that frugaltarians can use?

Here are the pics from this weekend. It's been one month since planting. The raised garden boxes are poo -poo -y. I side dressed last week and got a bit of a bump in growth. Did nothing but water the earthbox tube.

The earthbox is prolific!