How to Garden in an EarthBox
- 1). Construct your EarthBox per the directions, placing the screen securely in the box and inserting the water fill tube through the hole in the screen, then pushing the screen to the bottom of the box.
- 2). Pack the open corners of the the screen with moist potting mix. These packed potting mix corners ensure the water in the bottom of your EarthBox will wick up to the rest of the potting mix in the box.
- 3). Fill the EarthBox with moistened potting mix up to 2 inches from the top of the box.
- 4). Spread evenly one pound of dolomite over the potting mix. The dolomite will provide the needed calcium and magnesium for your plants.
- 5). Add another layer of moist potting mix on top of the dolomite layer, to the top of the EarthBox.
- 6). Make a 2-inch-deep trough, lengthwise, in the center of the potting soil. The trough should be 4-5 inches wide.
- 7). Pour fertilizer evenly into the trough. If you are using a synthetic fertilizer, use 2 cups, or use 3 cups for organic fertilizer. The formula for your fertilizer should be an equal balance, but no greater than 15-15-15.
- 8). Add more moist potting mix until the mix is a mound, 2 inches above the top of your EarthBox.
- 9). Cover the potting mix mound with the included cover, black side up, or use a black trash bag. If you use a trash bag, cut an opening for the fill tube, then secure the plastic by wrapping string over the plastic, around the outside of the EarthBox and tie it.
- 10
Cut "X" slits in the plastic where you intend to plant your starter plants. Carefully open up the slit holes and plant your plants. Plant your seedlings along each edge of the box if your trough with fertilizer is in the center of the box. - 11
Fill the bottom of your EarthBox with water by using the fill tube you inserted when you assembled the EarthBox. Continue to add water until you see water running out of the overflow hole, located on one side, toward the bottom of the box.
Source...