I planted my Earthbox on my balcony with six different herbs and vegetables.
One of the Neighbors Project ideas is to "Plant your windows, porch/stoop/balcony or other publicly viewable space with plants and flowers." I've taken that advice by setting up a mini garden on my balcony, including this Earthbox that my mother gave me last year.
The instructions in the box for setting it up are idiot proof, but there are a few other things I wanted to add to them to help people make the most out of the project.
One of the Neighbors Project ideas is to "Plant your windows, porch/stoop/balcony or other publicly viewable space with plants and flowers." I've taken that advice by setting up a mini garden on my balcony, including this Earthbox that my mother gave me last year.
The instructions in the box for setting it up are idiot proof, but there are a few other things I wanted to add to them to help people make the most out of the project.
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Signing UpStep 1: Assemble the materials
To plant an Earthbox, you need:
1. An earthbox - My mother gave me one as a gift, but you can order one online at www.earthbox.com/.
2. Plants - Look for your local nursery and spends some time wandering around looking for things you'll either want to see and smell or eat frequently. I had plants forced on to me last summer and ended up really enjoying growing my own herbs and vegetables in particular so I looked for edibles at one of the many independent plant stores in my neighborhood. I bought lemon verbana, sweet basil, purple basil, tomatilla, arugula and tarragon from a nursery a few blocks from my home. I believe that you can plant up to eight items in the box, and you're encouraged to plant edible items. I have a large basket on my bike so I biked all of the seedling plants home, which I have to admit greatly added to the fun of the project.
As I discovered in the process, you'll probably also need:
3. Measuring cup
4. Ruler
5. Scissors or knife
6. Plastic bags
7. A big tub or bucket
8. A small plastic dish with walls
9. A tea kettle or watering can
1. An earthbox - My mother gave me one as a gift, but you can order one online at www.earthbox.com/.
2. Plants - Look for your local nursery and spends some time wandering around looking for things you'll either want to see and smell or eat frequently. I had plants forced on to me last summer and ended up really enjoying growing my own herbs and vegetables in particular so I looked for edibles at one of the many independent plant stores in my neighborhood. I bought lemon verbana, sweet basil, purple basil, tomatilla, arugula and tarragon from a nursery a few blocks from my home. I believe that you can plant up to eight items in the box, and you're encouraged to plant edible items. I have a large basket on my bike so I biked all of the seedling plants home, which I have to admit greatly added to the fun of the project.
As I discovered in the process, you'll probably also need:
3. Measuring cup
4. Ruler
5. Scissors or knife
6. Plastic bags
7. A big tub or bucket
8. A small plastic dish with walls
9. A tea kettle or watering can
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Take a large tub with no holes in. Add some standard household bricks to the bottom and lay over it a mesh of either plastic (old veg transport boxes from the grocer have a plastic mesh similar to the above!) or metal.
Cut two holes in the side, add a length of tubing. Follow instructions on this 'ible.
Drill a hole in the side at the same level of the mesh to drain if you over fill.
It won't be so pretty, but will still grow the same veg. Probably cheaper too.
Good 'ible though :)
I suspect that's because of the balance of chemicals not because it breeds deadly veg. Though to be honest, I'd probably think that if I picked up the bottle. They're both priced at the same amount.
However, you can use comfrey bocking 14, nettles, seaweed or even horse manure in water to make a "tea" to water your plants with (this can all be 'free'). Personally, I wouldn't drink any of that either as it essentially involves the leaves/manure rotting down :) But then again I've never considered drinking miracle grow either...