Dear Frank,
Proper watering is essential to any plant's health. Fortunately, one of the EarthBox system's most helpful features is that it completely takes the guesswork out of watering. No matter how much water you pour into the fill tube, you can't overwater; the extra water will simply flow out of the overfill opening in the bottom of the container. Therefore, there's no need to try to regulate the moisture level in the potting medium. Easy!
Similarly, the only way you can underwater is to let the reservoir go dry -- so always keep it filled. The plants will take up exactly as much water as they need, no more and no less.
You can water at any time of the day.åÊIt's even easier if you install the EarthBox Automated Watering SystemåÊ(AWS), because you'll never have to remind yourself to water; the system will do it for you. Even if you have multiple EarthBoxes, you don't need more than one spigot. The EarthBoxes can be connected with tubing and T-connectors, and up to 30 can be serviced by a single pressure regulator. The AWS doesn't need a timer,åÊso you never have to worry aboutåÊwasting water; itåÊwill automatically provide just the right amount of water to your EarthBoxes.
For step-by-step instructions on how to set up your EarthBox, just go to our website, click the "Easy Instructions" button, and select "Watering System Instructions" -- or simply click here
Happy watering,
Frank DiPaolo
AWS Setup
A visual puts the Automated Watering System in perspective. For more information on this and other topics, just go to the Q&A section of the Forum and click on "New To EarthBox? Start Here" on the first page. Whether you're just starting or are a long-time EarthBox user, you'll find some very important and helpful information on this thread.
Behnke's Nurseries
At EarthBox, we value our partnerships with our authorized retailers. There are nurseries and garden centers throughout the country that carry our systems; some even offer seminars and workshops on getting the most out of your EarthBox. This month, we salute Behnke Nurseries in Maryland, the same fine folks who sponsored the recent 2009 Senior Expo in Prince George's County, as featured in the article to the left.
Behnke Nurseries still maintains the same old fashioned principles set by their founders in 1930. They offer a wide selection of high-caliber plants, including annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, indoor plants, and fruits and vegetables. Their staff includes seasoned horticulturists, who can assist in plant choices and educate customers in plant care and landscaping.
Speaking of landscaping, Behnke's offers a complete range of landscaping services, and even has a full-service florist at the Potomac location. And in addition to plants and gardening products, they offer various workshops, demonstrations and unusual adult classes, such as a flower and garden photography safari and watercolor painting.
To visit Behnke's or find out more about their products, services and events, click here. Both nurseries are open daily.
11300 Baltimore Ave.
Beltsville, Maryland
Tel. 301-937-1100
9545 River Road
Potomac, Maryland
Tel. 301-983-9200
A Noticeable Difference
"In case there is any question:
"I bought an EarthBox back in January and planted broccoli and cauliflower. I also had a similar size plastic tub lying around, so I planted in it as well. Check out the difference in the photo. Both plantings have small broccoli flowers showing, but the ones in the EarthBox are much bigger. No cauliflowers yet.
"These plantings were done on the same day with the same size plants bought from Home Depot."
GulfScuba
The patented EarthBox was developed by commercial farmers and proven in the lab and on the farm. Our maintenance-free, award-winning, high-tech growing system controls soil conditions, eliminates guesswork, and more than doubles the yield of a conventional garden -- with less fertilizer, less water, and virtually no effort. It's used successfully on a daily basis by commercial farmers, educators, and consumers. Distributors are also finding it to be a popular growing system.
EarthBox is a remarkably easy-to-set-up system that can be used to grow produce virtually anywhere.åÊOur systems have been incorporated into community gardens all over the world, enabling families and neighbors to share fresh produce while minimizing work and expenses.
EarthBoxesåÊalso make excellent additions toåÊthe classroom. Our Pre-K through 12th grade standards-based curriculum support packages can bring science to life, with hands-on lessons that teach principles of growing and nutrition, utilizing the scientific method in student-driven experiments.
Visit our Education Programs page to learn more.