THe only problems I've had is the "junkyard" appearance that you've mentioned, is keeping the tomato pots watered in the summer when the plants are big and its hot out. Sometimes have to do it twice a day. Other than that, nothing!

Richard,

I'll bite!

I haven't used a rototiller in 3 years.
I haven't pulled a weed in 3 years.
I use an Automated Watering System so I never need to use a hose, etc. freeing up hours of time per week.
I have saved perhaps 50% on my water bill attributed to my gardening activities by not wasting any water from run-off.
I am using less fertilizer per plant vs. in-ground planting.
I am making better use of "vertical space" for growing meaning that I can grow more vegetables per square foot of horizontal space.
I have less damage from varmints as it is tougher to scale the walls of my containers.
I believe (although I cannot prove it) that the isolation of the potting mix cuts down on soil borne diseases.
I can rotate the plant around 180 degrees at will to more symmetrically have the plant flower and produce more fruit.
I can use new space like on a deck or on concrete for new growing opportunities.

The only "downside" I have experienced to date is (1) Cost, container type SWCs are more expensive than in-ground planting, and (2). I am more prone to Powdery Leaf Mildew type airborne diseases due to the high density planting of the EarthTainer.

Overall, not having to weed, water, etc. are well worth the trade-offs.

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Raybo

Raybo,

And they probably enjoy an occasional toe splash from the hot tub too. So where is the downside? If you've done some serious in ground gardening in the past how does production (size, quantity and flavor) compare? I've had people tell me "sure it's easier but you'll get less than 1/2 the vegetables - and that's if you're lucky". So far it looks like I'll a whole lot more than I ever got "in ground".

What do you do with the soil mix at season's end. I couldn't find a post on this. I'm thinking of making a small bin out 2x12 lumber and using landscape cloth for the bottom to keep anything from growing through. This way I can mix it easily and add whatever ammendments I think it needs in the spring. What do most people do with their container mix at the end of the season?

Richard,

"Oh, One More Thing..." as Steve Jobs would say.

I get ripe tomatoes fully one month earlier than my previous in-ground bed produced due to the fact that the potting mix in the container warms up much faster in the Spring.

Regarding yields, does this answer your question?

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Raybo

I'll bite also.

Nice pictures Raybo.

I do both container gardening and soil gardening every year.

Actually I've found soil gardening easier. For raised beds, I've just hauled city free compost and dumped in on the ground, no digging. I use a no till technique (aka Ruth Stout method) with pine needle mulch, so no weeding. Automatic drip system does all the watering. Its actually very easy, and I've gotten better yields from my ground garden. Fertilizing is easy, mix in soft phosphate, greensand, & then dump urine early in the season and its done, no more fertilizing for the rest of the season.
Since I'm in a dry area and only drip irrigate, there are no slugs (although pillbugs are a slight problem when planting seeds).

I like container gardening though, mostly because it is right on the deck so I can easily step right outside and enjoy being close to it. But I have to water by hand and monitor the fertilization much more closely, and mix new "soil" every couple years.

I pulled 2 weeds this year. Of course, they were in my Hyponex Experiment soil. ;-)

Not a darn thing..ESPECIALLY if you are using Al's mixes!!:-)
Most of my sunny spots seem to be where there is no ground to plant, so containers take the place..

I will comment as well. I garden both ways and my in-ground garden is small (8x5). The major difference between the two is like Raybo said the containers warm up faster. This season I grew broccoli and I planted most in a earthbox and the left over ones were put in the garden. While the EB ones thrived from the start the garden ones sulked and regressed to the point where one died and I just pulled to put them out of their misery. Container gardening is easy and hopefully the wife will get me the AWS this Christmas to making it even easier.

Larrick

Larrick,

The AWS was ABSOLUTELY the best garden related "tool" purchase that I have ever made!! Think of it, for $6.25 per plant, I will NEVER have to pick up a hose and spend endless hours, getting bitten by mosquitoes, etc. As Ron Popiel (of Ronco fame) said once: "You Set It... And Forget It"!!!

Could not say it better myself! Thank you EarthBox Company for bringing this wonderful AWS to home gardeners!!

Raybo