Winterizing and Pre-planning for Spring EarthBox Growing
Whether you've just ordered your first EarthBox® container gardening system or you're an experienced EarthBox® grower, we expect you're eagerly anticipating your next growing season. While you're waiting, there's no need to twiddle your (green) thumbs; instead, start making preparations so you can get a jump-start on next year.
First Step: Winterizing
Prepare your existing EarthBox® systems for Winter first by cutting down any plants and removing debris. Be sure to remove and discard the used mulch cover, and tip the box towards the overflow drain to remove any remaining water. Fertilizer salts rise to the top and build up over the course of the growing season, so it is best to remove the layer of growing media above the rim of the box and the remaining fertilizer strip. Place a new mulch cover over top and store outside so any remaining root masses can decompose over the Winter. It is suggested to try to keep the EarthBox® system leaning at a 45º angle towards the overflow drain, so that any melting snow and ice doesn’t get into the reservoir and freeze, which may result in cracking. Alternately, you could place a tarp over the box and secure it, or place the box on a covered porch.
There is no need to dump the contents unless you had any cases of confirmed blight, and you live in an area that does not get a sustained killing frost. If your crop had blight, and you won’t have several months of freezing temperatures to kill it off, it is best to empty the contents in a trash bag and discard (do NOT use the contents in compost or in any areas in your yard). Sanitizing the emptied EarthBox® system with a bleach/water solution is recommended. Simply wipe down the inside of the EarthBox® container with a 10:1 water/bleach solution (10 parts water, 1 part bleach). You can wipe down the screen and fill tube as well.
Along with winterizing your EarthBox® garden, you may also want to take the time to spruce up your patio, deck, or plant stands, as needed. If you use the EarthBox® Automatic Watering System (AWS), be sure to disconnect and drain it, and store it inside where it will not freeze.
Next Step: Planning Ahead
Start by giving some thought to the kind of plants you'd like to include in your EarthBox® garden in the upcoming year, so you can procure the right seeds or seedlings. Most seed catalogs are available in January, so you can even start some seeds indoors in advance. You'll be ready to go as soon as it gets warm enough; but be sure to have the last average frost date at hand, so you'll know when it's safe to plant outdoors.
Final Step: Moving Forward
Remember, before you start planting in the Spring, consult the EarthBox® Instruction Manual so you'll have your checklist ready. It's a great aid for all EarthBox® growers, both inexperienced and seasoned. It'll help you with several important points, including:
- How to assemble your EarthBox® gardening system
- Plant suggestions
- Growing media information
- Placement of fertilizer and seedlings
We invite you to check our FAQs for more details on preparation and planting your EarthBox garden. For even more information, browse the rest of our Learning Center resources and Blog articles on our site, and be sure to watch our newest video, below!
Enjoy your preparations – and keep warm as Winter approaches!
We have strawberries planted and I was hoping that they would come back next year. Can we leave them in the box as is, drain the water and store it and hope they will come back?
This is a great question! Potted strawberry plants should do well overwintering. After draining all the water from the EarthBox®, the plants should be covered with straw, burlap or plastic. Depending on your location, you may also want to move your EarthBox® to an unheated shed or garage. It is vital to protect the plants from the cold winter air.
I love my self watering system. We have hard water here and it is very grody when I pull it out at the end of the season. This year I had to buy a new system because the old one did not work when I hooked it up. What do I need to do to help it work next spring?
I'd recommend reviewing our Automatic Watering System Troubleshooting Guide page. That has various tips and tricks to prolonging the life of the components of the AWS: https://earthbox.com/earthbox-automatic-watering-system/troubleshooting-guide
I always check for slug eggs on the medium and clean out the reservoir: slugs will lay eggs and winter over in the reservoir. There are enough slugs around without growing your own!
Hello Jim,
We agree, it's always a good idea to scrape off that top layer of growing media when removing the fertilizer. This will clean up any debris (and slug eggs) that may have made its way under the cover.
Can you give the directions for the bleach wash? I could not do a spring garden due to health and my boxes was in plastic bags to protect from weather...I started clearing to plant for fall and can see the salt on the inside of the box so I plan on dumping soil into kiddie pool and clean the boxes adding new soil to the boxes. On the old forum there was directions for the bleach/water ratio. Thank you for your help.
Hi Vivian, you should wash the system with a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water).
Hello! I have already planted tomatoes in my Earthbox and noticed it started leaking. I’m guessing it cracked over the winter. Do you have any suggestions to repair the crack to get my box through this summer season since I already planted in the box?
We recommend using Gorilla Tape over the crack on the outside of the box. That ensures that no chemicals leech into your EarthBox and affect your plants.
We use plastic cover that came from you. What about this mulch???
Hello Marjorie,
We refer to our plastic covering as our Mulch Cover. It's not actual mulch, but the cover acts like a mulching barrier one would use if planting a traditional in-ground garden; by helping to keep out pests and preventing water evaporation.
I have made use of the earthbox since it came on the market. I have owned at one time more than a dozen, but only use eight at this time along with the water system I'm 84 yrs. of age. And this way I can still enjoy Gardening. Thank you Earthbox.
Hello Orval,
We're glad to hear you're still enjoying your garden at 84 years young!
Thanks for the video. I wish I would have known before we headed to Florida for the Winter. I ask our house watcher to drain the boxes. Better late than never. I love these and would not want to lose them to cracking. Glad about the Blog. It would be nice if we could share photos as well.
Hi! Is it a good idea to cover the earthbox with a tarp over the winter while it sits outside? (After doing everything else that was suggested)
Hi Liz, Great question! You definitely want to make sure you have a fresh mulch cover placed over top of the system and that the reservoir is empty. Then if you choose to, you can place a tarp over top for added protection from the winter elements, but it's not required. Happy gardening!
We are "snobirds" and want to plant our 3 earthboxes again now. What would you suggest? We have very little sunshine in our yard due to beautiful large oak trees.
Hello Mary Lou,
Without a lot of sun, we would suggest planting some cool-weather crops such as lettuces, greens, kale, spinach, etc.
But, it's best to check with your local garden center to see what they have available for growing right now, a good indication that the plants are tolerant to your current / upcoming climate conditions.
Great information
Thanks, Richard! Be sure to keep up with our blog. . .we'll be posting a lot of helpful information and yummy recipes, too!
LSEragon: The Earth Boxes on my balcony in Atlanta, GA are on rollers. They hold perennials that I do not want to die. The balcony sits one floor above the ground and there is no insulation below the balcony. I don't have the option of moving the planters inside. Do I need to insulate the space between the bottoms of the Earth Boxes and the floor of my balcony, or is it sufficient to wrap the sides and tops of the Earth Boxes? Thank you.
I'd recommend insulating all sides to be safe.
Love the video! I was wondering if I should let my boxes go without any preparation for the winter. This video answers my question. I will be cleaning out the roots before the weather turns.
Hello Felice,
If you can't get the entire root ball out before Winter hits, that's ok! By leaving the box outside to over-winter, the roots will decompose, and you'll have a smaller (and easier) root mass to remove in the Spring. Just be sure to change out the mulch cover and empty the reservoir. Of course, by prepping in the fall, it makes planting in the Spring that much quicker!
What planting zone can the earthbox be used outside without fear of cracking?
Hello Carol,
You can use the EarthBox in all zones outside up until the point where you're getting freezing temperatures. Once temperatures drop and frost is getting ready to set in, it is best to go through the winterizing process, being certain to empty the water reservoir. If you leave any standing water in during sustained freezing weather, you may run the risk of the plastic cracking, due to the expansion of the water/ice.
I took out the self watering tray and filled my earthboxes with soil. I have Brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, collards, spinach and lettuce growing like crazy in November! Last year I did the same thing and these crops produced well into March here in central VA. I wish earthbox would come up with some kind of cover for both early pest control and frost control.
Hi Peggy,
We currently offer the Frost Cover, Insect Net, and Bird Netting–all available for purchase on our website. They are sized to fit over the Staking System, and have a drawstring on the bottom so you can keep all kinds of pests out.
Fantastic article! Fabulous video!
It is now Nov. and I still have plants growing in my Earth Boxes. I have brussels sprouts, broccoli, parsnips, carrots, beets. How can I winterize my earth boxes so that I can keep everything alive through the winter as I eat as I go.
Hello Barbara,
Depending on your location, over-wintering boxes could go one of two ways:
You may have to roll your boxes inside and use a grow light and/or low heat source to keep producing if you live in an area where you have sustained freezing and harsh winters.
If you're in an area where you have relatively mild winters, you may be able to get away with bringing the boxes up against your house on a covered porch/deck, and packing mulch and burlap around them to help insulate. You may want to also look into using a frost covering over top of the veggies.
Hi, I am in the pacific North West and I have celeri plants and greens that survived the winter, are there any special instructions on how to put dolomite and fertilizer back for the new season ? thanks
Hi Julien, We recommend just replanting as you normally would—digging out the old fertilizer strip and adding new fertilizer for the spring. We also recommend changing out the top layer of soil with some new mix. No need to remove the plants. Happy Gardening!
I want to grow saffron in an EarthBox planter; this is a fall harvest crop but bulbs will sprout in spring not flower. Will EarthBox be compatible with this type of plant. I live in USDA zone 5b.
Some customers have successfully grown saffron in an EarthBox. We've never tried it, so unfortunately we can't offer much advice other than that it is possible based on what customers have told us.
Thanks for the tips. Have had great results with my earth box
Hi Betty,
We're so happy to hear you've had great success!