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Edited: Oct 19, 2021

Earth Box Organic Growers?

Anybody else using Earth Box or other sub-irrigated systems?

I'm about halfway through flower on my first run with this style and I've just popped a couple seeds that I'll be doing the same with. Previously I've grown hydroponic and with soil in felt bags.

I'm really liking the ease and simplicity of the living soil SIP system. I can water with plain water or add a little bit of molasses or make a tea if I feel like it. I no longer have to water daily or mess with mixing liquid nutrients and checking PPM and pH. It's really made everything simple and more enjoyable. These plants are at least, if not more healthy than my past grows. When I check on them after the lights have turned on they always have up-pointed praying leaves.

I'm hoping to hear from others experienced with this style and to share tips and tricks.

I'd really like to hear what others are doing to prep their box for the next run. I was thinking of letting it set for a few weeks with some cover crop (probably clover), add in some worms, and hit it with compost teas and bacteria to break down the root system left by the previous grow.

9 comments

Comments (9)

Brandon Durham

Jul 14, 2022

What’s up everyone I just got the Patio Pickers it’s 24x20 wider than the original earthbox. I’m running with the no till living soil from BAS with Boogie Brew tea and some mixed amendments. I’m in a 2x2x5.5 tent with Mars TS-1000. Does anyone have any updates on their grows with these boxes? I haven’t seen anyone discuss using PPM or EC’s with these boxes just top dressing and learning the plants. Does anyone use a PPM to check their soil? I‘m assuming there’s no real runoff in an earth box setup right???

hafthor_grows

Oct 28, 2021

The first time I ran it I ran into issues and I was told it was because of the stagnant water. I have heard of people using air stones to counter this issue and I tried fog too, which was fun. Principally, I think the concern is aeration of water so I just let it get a good dry down.

The earthbox in my mind is just a great platform to grow super vigorous plants. I know some people chop and drop for harvest but I actually remove the plant and that creates room for the next rounds amendments. I see you are running two in one box so you will need to reamend heavily. I use BAS craft blend and local compost to reamend. I have been having issues going straight from seed into craft blend (anyone else have this issue?) so I let it sit for week before replanting.

Great information and it looks like you have a great grow rocking! Cant wait to see harvest!!

theWilly

Oct 29, 2021

Replying to

@hafthor_grows I've thought about adding air stones. I've used them in RDWC and my Aerogarden, they definitely help. In the Aerogarden you can see that the plants nearest the air stone have much bigger root systems.

I was thinking that maybe drying out the reservoir could damage the roots that are down in there? I don't think that's much of an issue though as long as it's only for a short while. Mine is probably dry less than 12 hours, the soil doesn't go dry.

Does moisture wick all the way to the top on yours? The top inch or two on mine is kinda dry so I spray it some, seems like the Bokashi does better with the added moisture and it helps to compost everything down.

hafthor_grows

Oct 29, 2021

Replying to

@82chrisn If you are using a peat based medium you will have some hydrophobic dendencies. You can use a wetting agent to help with this issue. Since you are top dressing you need those top feeder roots. I think spraying a bit sounds like the right move. Since you are covered I think that helps too. Just my thoughts!

theWilly

Oct 29, 2021

Replying to

@hafthor_grows makes sense, I'm using ocean forest.

What are you doing for water?

I'm using tap water run through an RV filter. I've got high pH hard water here, last I checked it was like 300 ppm after filtering. I run it into a bucket with an air stone and let it bubble for the 48 hours until I use it. I'll usually add a little molasses, I've read that it helps to bind up the chloramine. Sometimes I'll add EM-1, Great White, Recharge, Mammoth P, kelp extract, and/or liquid silica either individually or in some combination. It's just whatever I feel like hasn't been done recently, not scientific at all.

I don't tend to add nutrient to the water except for maybe a little Clonex after transplanting in. This time around I added some Down to Earth organic P & K and let it bubble with molasses overnight as it was going into flower.

I don't bother much with pH but maybe I should check it a little more often. I think last time I checked the molasses had brought it down under 7 so I've just run with it.

hafthor_grows

Oct 27, 2021

Love my EarthBox and I've used several SIPs. The only issue is letting it dry out before you refill it.

theWilly

Oct 28, 2021

Replying to

@hafthor_grows what's the deal with letting it dry out? I know EarthBox says don't let it dry out. I think on Build A Soil he said he lets it dry out? I've been letting mine go dry. At this point it's usually dry in the reservoir every other day.

What do you do?

Got any tips you've figured out? What do you do after harvest and to prep a new grow?

Mr. Grow It

Oct 26, 2021

Looking good! I've been wanting to try growing in an Earth Box.

theWilly

Oct 27, 2021

Replying to

@Mr. Grow It thanks! I'm liking this box. It's been a really easy grow and a lot less maintenance.