Homeowner Forum / Lawn and Garden / July 2008

I have  boxes like that and have never been thrilled with the yield
from them.  I got all caught up in the rage of them a few years ago
and have almost stopped using them

Additionally, they take more tending than regular pots, in that they
do not get the benefit of any rain, but must be watered by hand. When
the weather is hot here, as it gets in July and August in northern NJ,
they have to be watered twice a day, rain or shine.

My last surviving earthbox one has yellow squash in it this year.

Frankly, when I used to garden down in the dirt, I'd grow my cukes
each year in a cheap bag of potting soil. I'd cut a couple of holes
for the "hills" and put the seedlings in. The following year, I'd use
that soil for indoor plants or pots and start again.

Cukes, like tomatoes, can be susceptible to soil borne problems and
changing out the soil each year for "dirt" money (someone always has a
sale) worked well for me for ages.

But, the best way to garden is the whatever way makes you happiest and
keeps you tending the green stuff.

Boron