EarthBox

[Wombat]

G'Day All,

OK, I realise that I am leaving myself open to a yelling here because these things are plastic, but it is not inconceivable to introduce an element of recycling too!

Below are some links on the Earthbox, a self watering vegetable growing unit. My theory-in-action around veggie growing is evolving at the moment and while I have not tried one of these things yet, I am going to. I believe that for longer growing crops like capsicums, chilli and silver beet, they will be great. even to the point of transferring them to a greenhouse over winter. This will make it easier for me to ensure rotation of the chook tractor over each plot.

Anyway the bottom link is the official site where you can get the original Earthbox. (Psst! The other two are sites showing how to DIY! but don't tell anyone!)

I hope you find this interesting!

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/loa ... 14330.html

http://www.josho.com/Earthbox.htm

http://www.earthbox.com/

Nev

[Shirley]

that looks interesting Nev... especially the DIY versions.. I love the ingenious use of recycled materials. Again, like you, they'd be good for chillis etc

[the.fee.fairy]

oooh...another thing on the list to make!!
I've been lucky and kept sweet pepper plants over the winter ready to fruit this year, but one of those would be handy!

[STHLMgreen]

I found a used on in our recycling room. A big one I grew 10 leeks in. They were monsters.

I recommend them highly.

[Wombat]

Cool!

[9ball]

Good find Nev! I was planning to try some Tomatos and Cucumbers in pots this year, I think I'll give this a go instead (or maybe try both in the name of science). I've been told this morning however by the girlfriend NOT to start any new projects and tidy the house instead. *grumble grumble*, I wish my shed was bigger so it could fit me and the mower.

Tom

[Karen_Grace]

Hi Nev, I was planning on using lots of pots this year, but this idea looks really good, so I might make one.

[Annpan]

Hey

Looks like quite a simple idea, I rekon you could make all sorts of shapes and sizes using all sorts of recycled stuff as long as you stick to the principles.

hmm something to put on the to-do list certainly.

[glenniedragon]

ooh, I like the look of the DIY one and I might have a go at one myself...
and 9ball-you always need a bigger shed.....or antother one!

kind thoughts
Deb

[digiveg]

Plastic is fantastic stuff with millions of good uses as probably most of us would agree. However, it's worth remembering that in California, where plastic water pipe is very common, that you can buy it in two grades: for drinking water supplies, or for 'other' water supplies. Plastic leaches chemicals into water, and unless it's specifically made to not do so you really don't want to put it into your food chain. The chemicals involved are really nasty.

This should be even more of a consideration when you're planning a very closed, recycling water system like an earthbox, as the dissolved nasties would tend to build to an extremely high level.

Yay, more gloom and doom from Digiveg! Just what everbody wanted, I'm sure...

[digiveg]

Oops... nearly posted this twice!

[Wombat]

Thanks Dig! that's a good point.

Sorry to hear about your hassles Tom. I have a garage I can retreat to, but Mrs Wombat does put up with my projects usuallly

Nev

[Wombat]

I made one of these today! In the end, and mostly following the instructions on the sites listed, it took about half a day to make and it was very simple. I have enough materials to make 3 more so over the Easter weekend I hope to get around to knocking over another one or three.

For those interested I will be posting some pictures on my blog.

Nev

[red]

Plastic leaches chemicals into water, and unless it's specifically made to not do so you really don't want to put it into your food chain. The chemicals involved are really nasty.

any idea on water butts - we have3 and getting more.. but of course they are all plastic.. and i water our veg with the water from them... safe?

[Wombat]

If they are designed as water butts they should be. If they are polyethylene (softish plastic not rigid) they should be OK too.

Nev