I didn’t see any overflow hole to prevent too much water gathering at the bottom of the box… without this the water level can go into soil and rot the roots.
Maybe I forgot to show it, but there is definitely a hole at about 2 inches above the bottom. So, any time there’s more than 2 inches of water, it will drain out. They’ve been working great for several years.
You can use aluminum wire and wire tie landscaping fabric over the ends of your corrugated pipe. I do that on my wicking planters and it works great. Still cover the pipe with fabric before adding dirt.
Your video was simple and easy to follow. I like how you gave credit to Leon. There so many copy cats on you tube building same stuff and not giving Leon credit. Thanks.
I really appreciate your review of your experience with wicking containers and this earthbox clone. I would have gone through literally the same steps you have and probably come to the same conclusion you did. I have a 90-gallon stock tank out back that I was considering converting to a wicking bed. But I'm really happy I saw your other video and went with an EarthBox instead (small scale first!) Mr Leon sounds like he knows what he's talking about, but the EarthBoxes are so cheap that it doesn't make sense to "gamble" making your own. I've only had mine for a day, but I'm pretty confident I made the right choice based on your advice!
Buy a tub with a lid drill holes in the lid for roots cut 2 bigger holes place small plant box to wick up water place small blocks under lid to support lid Inside box place rocks them soil in box run pcv pipe to feel water
I was looking up Earth Boxes on RU-vid and came across a channel "John form Growing Your Greens" that said at Lowes they were having a sale on Growums, a child's version of the Earth Box to teach children how to grow a garden.. He got his for 9.99. I watched the video and it is almost the same. It is purple instead of dark green, but still the same size, but you do have to put the bottom tray together. It comes with seeds he didn't use and instead of potting soil it came with coconut core, which he added amendments to. Never could see a date on the video.
An Earthbox here in Canada costs $100 each, so I'm converting some old raised garden containers with these tips! Lining the boxes with pond liner to water proof them. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻🤞🏻 Thanks so much for the in-depth explanation!!
@@mangofever4681 No, but I doubt they invade the airspace. Roots won't grow in air and the water reservoir goes dry, or somewhat dry, between waterings so the roots won't invade it
It's not the same as a Kratky air space. In Kratky, the plant starts with roots in the water, and as the water is used by the plant and the water level drops, the roots continue to grow into the water. The difference is the moist soil medium keeps the plant hydrated and the plants tend not to bridge the air gap like they do when started in the water.
I have 6 total, 2 gen 1 rest gen 2. Also bought the trails for all of them and find it very handy. Forget the stand cost way to much better to buy & stack some cinder blocks to raise the box on. I also found 1 pack of their fertlizer/dolomite can be split between 2 boxes.
Gen 1 were the old model before 2005 think and changed a lot. Gen 1 were flimsy and bowed outward not sturdy with sloping sides. Parts for both are not interchangeably specifically casters gen 1 had none and Trellis hooked to box through metal hoop connected to box slipping into 2 holes in box rim. Gen 1 root screen is thin held up by plastic panel frame it sat on. Gen 2 shape change straight sides and more durable construction holds its shape. Root screen is stronger and is molded with supports part of the box itself and has casters. I'm sure you can find pictures these are way better than first earthboxs but they still work.
I'm not a pro on these boxes but one thing I did see maybe you're missing is a overflow pipe / drain maybe 2inches up from the bottom of some sort that allows the water at the bottom of the box to escape so you don't overfill with water??
Hello, I just had an idea for a cheap earth box. I think it will work......My local Lowes sell those totes with the yellow covers for $12, I could stack two and get a 3 inch air space if I screw a strip of wood on the top sides. That would be cheaper than an earth box. I just need to drill some drain holes and a hole to fit two net cups and a hole for the fill pipe. Earth box cost $53 on amazon and the smaller half size one at my local Lowes cost $40.
It will work, I put a square strip of wood (1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inch) on both sides of the tote just to see and drilled a 4-inch net cup hole in both corners and poured in 4 gallons of water. The water drained fast without any air holes. I'll add them latter with a hole for a 1 inch pvc and 3/8 inch drain hole on the bottom. I can also raise the tote higher up with a thicker wood strip and I'll still be able to use the 4 inch net cup. I just need to add 1/4 inch nylon wicking rope on the bottom of the net cups.
@@BIGALTX We use it to seel water tanks for livestock and there was mention of using it on a couple fish pages. Let it dry 3-5 days in the sun and it should be good to go
You could use a long skewer stick with a fishing cork on the bottom of it I have something that I check the water with. Doing a video on it next week Stay tuned 👍😎
Probably so Just consider the longevity of the material Make sure it will last as long as your tubs will Cotton socks might not last very long, but hosiery might
Alan, I know this is an old video, but like everything else the price of the basic earth box has gone up and up and up. I've made a number of hybrid wicking tubs, but I'm thinking of taking a Home Depot HDX tote and making a box. The hardest part to source is a flat plastic panel with sufficient small holes already in it. Your drainage pipe with landscape cloth is a good alternative to that plastic panel. What about winterizing? Do you do anything to your earth boxes or just let them sit fallow? No issues with freezing? I have not done anything to my wicking tubs and so far no issues and we are in our 4th year of using them.
No, I don’t do anything to prepare them for winter. So far, there’s never been a problem, and we have had some very cold winters since I started using containers.
The holes in the earth box (root air pruning bottom) look large to prevent the soil from going through to the water reservoir. How big are those holes; and what kind of soil doesn't go through them?
If you dump it in *_real fast_* very little goes through the holes The inventor said it's like trying to get 3 people through a doorway at the same time They tried multiple hole sizes before they decided on these. Any good potting mix will do (not pot soil)... but it needs to have about 50 to 60% PEAT
Thanks for the review👏 I have two of the originals that I purchased 2 years ago from Lowes. They have casters, but one of the broke off each box 😣 But the box itself is still looking strong. 👍 Keep up the good work God bless you
So with the earth box you never water or feed the soil directly from the top and you would always water through the pipe can you liquid feed through through the pipe too?
Correct. UNLESS... you have something like blackberries in the EB Since BBs reproduce from the roots (sending up new canes) I think the cover on the EB would prohibit that. So, when I had a BB in an EB I didn't cover it and could water or fertilize from the top. The reason for the cover is to prevent weeds AND to prevent rain washing out the fertilizer through the "overflow" It's designed to be a closed system, and the initial fertilization when planting will last several months
Something interesting I noticed. There aren't too many self watering container exactly like Earthbox. Apparently the company behind have a patent for it with the anticipated expiration date of April 27th 2027. The key is the term anticipated expiration, so I'm not sure this estimated anticipated date is for certain or they could extend their patent. I have seen one attempt in the past to copy exactly Earthbox design and selling for consumers, but it was gone immediately, I guess they got cease and desisted the the owner of the patent. While I like Earthbox, I'm not big into monopoly. Maybe if their patent certainly expire by 2028 we will see cheaper alternatives. I still like my Earthboxes a lot, but maybe I'll have to figure out how to make my own stand with wheels that doesn't cost the $75 they're charging. Not really for me but other senior I know who have trouble bending. I'm thinking 2x2 balusters as the rail holding the container, 2x3 pressure treated planks as legs, and galvanized brackets to keep the two secured together. Then just screw wheels under the legs, or drill holes that the Earthbox's office wheels can fit into. Now that I think about it might as well build a whole damn standing container with wheels and skip the earth box.
Yes, lids need to be loose... BUT... I have found a MUCH easier way to do this. It is so easy and even has a MUCH higher alcohol content. Here's the video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nW6T9Yp6vuM.html If you DO use the Mason Jar method, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU KEEP THE LIDS LOOSE OR USE AN AIRLOCK LIKE THESE: amzn.to/2RyA8Mm THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE THE GLASS JARS HAVE BURST BECAUSE THE LIDS WERE TOO TIGHT. You can also use a (non-powdered) latex glove stretched over the lid to expand with the released CO2. Be Careful...! Alan Again... Try the new, easy wine method I linked to above. You'll like it a lot better!
No, never sift them out. I just add enough potting mix to replace any settling of the soil And also replace any soil I take out when I remove the fertilizer strip. Here's what I'm talking about: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kHYdT4TiKvU.html
Did you try this with just peat? How did it work out? I would be afraid that if you ever ran it somewhat dry, the peat would return to it's hydrophobic state and would choke off the water supply. Curious as to what came of it if you did.
So at this point, you've almost made exactly what Mr. Leon makes with the wicking buckets. You don't think the buckets are a much cheaper and easier way to go?
Sure, the buckets are cheaper than real Earthboxes I just happened to have a lot of these tubs laying around and decided to make my own Earthboxes I have made a LOT of Wicking Tubs like Mr Leon, and even changed the design up a little with what I call my "Hybrid" wicking tub. You can see the Playlist here: ru-vid.com/group/PLutBw50GI1zyPhjUaC7W54BReOBtrVjyb
I didn't... I did not have covers on these. If you mulch heavily, it kinda takes the place of "covers". Only difference is, when it rains, the rain can wash out some of the fertilizer. That won't happen if they have 'covers' on them
Okay I saw a use no liquid fertilizer on the earth box web sight. Is that BS or can you add an organic liquid fertilizer as suggested by Gardening with Leon?
I think they meant INSTEAD of the granular fertilizer they recommend. I fertilized like they said... thenI used water soluble fertilizer along with Micro Boost (both from Hoss Tools) every 2 weeks or so. It worked great. I don't think the initial fertilizer application (when planting) is enough to last all season, so after a month or two I start supplementing, You SHOULD fertilize like they say to with the granular fert, but don't be afraid to use liquid too. You can find the fertilizers I use HERE: bit.ly/homesteadadvisor
They are only $39 on their website: earthbox.com/gardening-systems/earthbox-original I don't buy all the extras... I buy JUST the Earthbox... no casters, no potting mix, no fertilizer... nuthin else
O wow. never even heard of this. Thanks for sharing your video with us. I appreciate you and will sub to your channel right now. I garden as well if you get a chance to take a look.
This looks like a lot of time and effort in an attempt to save $30. After what you spend in time and money in materials it seems like buying an earthbox is the way to go. 😅
Absolutely! I think I said in the video that I would NOT be doing that again. Just not worth the time and trouble. I now have 21 Earth Boxes!! (REAL ones) 😀
@@BIGALTX yes you did... I made the comment before the video finished. I mean it's good to be able to make something like this. If you had a specific space you wanted to put one but you wanted a different size. I want to put some 2x4 raised beds outside and I'm planning to install a sub irrigation system in them...
Apparently you didn't watch the whole video. My assessment was, if you can catch them on sale, EarthBoxes are the best bet. I said that I would not make any more clones. I think these will do fine, but not worth the trouble and expense.
