Thu, 2010/04/15 - 9:44pm
I'm seriously thinking about getting some 'boxes' and would like opinions please. Which is best? Is there a forum for 'box' people?
thanks.
Thu, 2010/04/15 - 10:49pm
#2
P.S. I'm also very happy with my Walmart self-watering plant spas. But their reservoirs are smaller. That's probably OK in your climate, though - you tend to get frequent short rains, right? Anyway, I growbox-ify them by simply pushing in a little pile of Dynamite plant food near an edge at the top. I've grown semi-determinate tomatoes and peppers and eggplants that way. An indeterminate tomato would need their very largest size, which I haven't bought.
Thu, 2010/04/15 - 11:11pm
#3
Hi Gisette! Could you post a picture of the Walmart self-watering plant spas? I have no idea what to look for.
Thanks.
Thu, 2010/04/15 - 11:38pm
#4
These are both in Walmart self-watering plant spas (2 diff sizes). They come in an avocado green, as well as this stone color. You can see the reservoir hole & lip toward the bottom. Growboxes have very similar reservoir access ports. Both very easy to aim a hose at. Not so easy to water neatly indoors. (I use a funnel.)
The plant spas don't end up being any cheaper than a growbox, though, for amount of habitat. Significantly easier to move, of course. And harder to get decent staking/caging on. And don't hold as much water in the reservoir relative to amount of potting mix. But, I like 'em.
BTW, Dynamite plant food doesn't include calcium the way the Growbox/Earthbox nutes include dolomite. So in addition to that Dynamite pile, I sift some powdered lime into the potting mix for the tomato family (eggplant, peppers, maybe potatoes...haven't grown those myself yet.) A small bag of powdered rock is cheap but astonishingly heavy.
Thu, 2010/04/15 - 11:48pm
#5
Ok, great. Now I know what to look for. Thanks. Will check them out.
Thu, 2010/04/15 - 11:49pm
#6
Cross-posted while I was re-editing my post. 
Thu, 2010/04/15 - 11:54pm
#7
P.S. Note growboxes have a one year money-back guarantee, even if you lose the receipt. Of course, I've never tested that, because I like mine.
Fri, 2010/04/16 - 7:12am
#8
We don't appear to have these in the UK; what's the design principle? I mean I know what it's supposed to d0, but not how it does it...any idea's?
Fri, 2010/04/16 - 8:23am
#9
Go to the link above in Gisette's post. There's lots of info there. I haven't the slightest idea of how. Or maybe one of our scientific people could explain?
Have a good one!
Enjoy!
Fri, 2010/04/16 - 10:53am
#10
Hello Judith, nice to see you back here again.
Are you still using your hydro units you bought, or have you switched sides to dirt... 
Fri, 2010/04/16 - 1:16pm
#11
Kevin - this is the explanation of how the Growbox works. Not terribly technical. Earthbox is similar.
There's a big move in this country toward container and raised-bed planting. It seems much easier to get good yields this way than in the ground. Far easier to control the soil productivity and moisture, rotate crops, limit insects and weeds, etc. But also, many of us live where in-ground gardening is limited for assorted reasons.
Earthbox does seem to be available in the UK. And as mentioned above, you can construct your own schemes. Or if you think Growboxes are significantly better for your situation, you could email 'em and ask if they'd ship to you. Pretty bulky item to ship across the pond, tho.
Fri, 2010/04/16 - 1:53pm
#12
Are you still using your hydro units you bought, or have you switched sides to dirt 
hahahahahaha No, haven't completely switched. Still have 4 AG's going. No buckets tho. Do have outside trash can hydro cukes going, and outside toms in dirt pots. I'd really like to get some grow boxes going in the small sunny spot in my yard. Mostly because I'm trying to conserve electricity. Years ago my husband had bought me 2 grow boxes and they worked great! I even made 4 more with parts from Wal-Mart. But while I was away at my sisters, a hurricane came through, and my daughter went to check on my house & threw away my grow boxes because she thinks she knows what's best for me. She would never have done that if my husband was still alive! I haven't been able to forget it and probably won't 'settle' until I get more boxes. Too much information? hahahaha Anyway, I still have the urge to grow veggies so I'm trying to expand.
I see you're still quite successful at all your endeavors! Wonderful!
Enjoy!
Sun, 2010/04/18 - 1:40pm
#13
Hi Judith!
I'm an earthbox user and a fan of SWCs in general. The big advantage for me is that they offer watering valves that add water automatically! The system worked well last year on the deck. I'm going to add valves to all my boxes this year - no more water worries! The shower caps (covers) work but really need to be a little more sturdy. I was really impressed with the results - and I've been growing in pots for years.
Beth
PS Didn't you grow in the upside down planter last year? Gissette was asking about them in a different post.
Judith! Good to hear from you again!
I like my GrowBoxes ( agardenpatch.com ). And they're still finessing the design - there are improvements in this year's box and nutrient patches (now a classier burlap design), which are included in the base price. No wheels, but a 4 gallon reservoir with a big access hole on the side, so you're not aiming a hose at a little pipe on top, and there's plenty of air coming in below, and the tank fills up with rainfall. I like that. And it also works as an overflow - tropical downpours simply fill up, then spill over.
The more closed top of the Earthbox's style of mulching sheet might work better in climates that get way too much or way too little rain.
A masterful tomato-growing lady down the street from me has both. I asked her which she thought was better. She shrugged.
I love mine. My guess is you'd be happy with either.