Gardeners who feel like they're getting too old to dig and pull weeds, or have other physical or space limitations, can still grow their favorite vegetables with an EarthTainer garden system.
The EarthTainer combines the traditional soil-based growing cycle with elements of hydroponic moisture delivery to the plants for sustainable, organic gardening. The system is not something available for purchase; rather, it's a set of plans users can download for free, detailing how simple store-bought items can be put together to form a garden that is easy to care for and environmentally sustainable.
Most of the components can be found at any discount or home improvement store:
- A 31-gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck or similar storage container
- A filler tube or hose
- A wicking basket to deliver water to the plant's roots
- A tomato cage sturdy enough to support tall heirloom tomato plants.
The EarthTainer system was developed by California gardener and high-tech company executive Ray Newstead and adopted by Gary Ibsen, the founder of the annual TomatoFest in Carmel, Calif.
Ibsen offers design plans and tips free via the Internet, asking only that users make a donation to Feed the Children.
The closed-loop, self-watering system was developed by the ancient Egyptians and doesn't waste water, making it more eco-friendly than traditional methods of gardening. The EarthTainer holds up to 10 gallons of water and can go several days before needing replenishment.
Newstead estimates that EarthTainer-grown tomato plants consume 75% less water than is used in conventional in-ground planting, as the “closed-loop” EarthTainer design concentrates 100% of the available water exclusively to the plant, not leaking any to encourage weed growth, nor wasted runoff. Additionally, the moisture barrier top cover reduces a significant moisture loss due to evaporation experienced with traditional in-ground gardening.
The system is designed to be an efficient and easy-care way to produce a bumper crop from either an urban or rural setting.
Plants may be started in the containers based on the gardener's geographic zone. Some gardeners start even earlier, keeping the containers on a movable cart, hooking them up to a vehicle and pulling the containers into a garage, barn or shed when the temperatures dip below freezing. The containers may also be moved to maximize sun exposure and avoid hail storm damage during the spring.
The system can produce heirloom tomato plants as tall as six feet, without heavy water use or the hard labor - digging, tilling and weed pulling - often associated with gardening.
Gardeners can also expect to get up to twice the harvest they typically are able to grow.
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