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OHNE Test of the EarthBox

Getting the boxes

What I planned to do

What actually happened

Fall Update

Getting the boxes

Well, I finally got my act together  and ordered two EarthBoxes.  The day after they arrived New England enjoyed the remnants of tropical storm Allison, so another day of delay.

Each unit has four major parts: the box of course, a grid that fits inside, a watering tube and two elastic covers.   The instructions seem simple enough and appear clear.  There is a diagram showing how to bed a wide variety of plants including corn.  That is tempting to try, but I will let someone else give that one a shot. 

I still think peppers is the best way to go for the test.  According to the instructions, eight bell peppers can be planted.  That is at least twice the number that I can usually grow.  For years, I have grown peppers, marigolds, and cherry tomatoes in a narrow window box with little drainage.  Last year, the peppers just died on me.  That may have been due to my lack of attention and to the interesting weather that year. 

What I planned to do:

Is there a difference in the yield between pepper plants placed in the EarthBox versus pepper plants placed in a typical plastic window box?  That is the question.   What will show me that a difference exists is the number, size, and weight of the fruit.  I will be satisfied that a difference exists if the average of the number, size and weight is 20% greater for the EarthBox versus the window box.  The height of the plant is meaningless.  What is produced is important.  If I can find a good batch of peppers tomorrow, I will set up the experiment. 

What I actually did after all:

No peppers!  Barely anything was left at our local garden shop.  Instead I decided to go with something totally different, brussel sprouts!  I figured it was so late in the season that I might as well go with a fall crop. 

Besides, I like brussel sprouts.   This picture is evidence of the best reason to have an EarthBox.  We had to go away for a day or two and forgot to have the rest of the family water the plants.  When we got back, the plants in the EarthBox looked pretty good while the plants in the regular window box were just about shot.   The experiment was also shot, but I am still going to look very carefully at the number, size and quality of the sprouts this fall. 

FALL update:  The sprouts never got a chance to sprout!  Nana was out pulling weeds in the garden and decided the sprouts looked too much like big weeds, so she yanked them out of the box.  Not to worry, I am resolved to buying two more EarthBoxes and trying this again in spring.