Question About Landscape Fabric in an Earthtainer

[Irv Wiseguy]

I read through Raybo's Earthtainer III guide so I think I know the answer to this, but I'm a big dope so I want to make sure I get this right before building one. When using landscape fabric, do you cut out a hole above the wicking basket or do you cover the entire aeration bench? Does the fabric impede wicking in any way?

Sorry for the dumb question, but I don't want to build my Earthtainer incorrectly and have issues during the Summer.

Thanks,

Irv

[rnewste]

Irv,

There are no dumb questions!!

The Landscape Fabric is water permeable so just make a mound like a cupcake in the wicking basket about 1.5 inches taller than the Aeration Bench, then lay down TWO sections of the fabric, and pat the Mix down gently over the wicking basket with your hand on top of the Landscape Fabric.

Then, proceed filling the rest of the Mix on top of the Landscape Fabric, wetting it in 2 inch layers at a time.

Two layers are necessary, as the tomato tap root is very persistent and will drive through only one layer. Even with two layers, some root penetration will occur.

Holler with any more questions.

Raybo

[Irv Wiseguy]

Now I'm glad I asked, because when reading your construction guide I missed the part about using two layers of fabric. I would have probably only used one layer!

Raybo, I have to tell you that I've been reading your posts here and on other forums for a couple of years and I have a great deal of respect for you and your opinions. Your generous act of making the Earthtainer plans avaliable for free to everybody and the amount of help you provide to others on the forums is to be admired.

Thanks,

Irv

[rnewste]

Irv,

Thanks! The EarthTainer is really a collaborative project, with many people contributing ideas to make it work better, be easier to build, etc. The removable cage idea came from another builder of the EarthTainer II.

I need to take some better photography of the Landscape Fabric placement, the fertilizer strips, and planting. Truth be told, I wrote the EarthTainer III Guide in the middle of Winter, and had no available plants to put in and photograph at that time.

Raybo