Long-Awaited Update to GreenStalk & Garden Tower Review
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- Опубликовано: 25 июл 2024
- Last year I did a preliminary review on two vertical garden planters: the Garden Tower and the GreenStalk. I'm finally getting back around to let you know how they turned out...
Watch the original review video here: • Ummm, Did I Just Do A ...
Find GreenStalk here: store.greenstalkgarden.com/
And use the coupon code from Roots and Refuge Farm: ROOTS10 for 10% off
Find Garden Tower here: www.gardentowerproject.com/
For Scramento locals, learn more about mushroom cultivation at Brown Sugar Farm: brownsugarf...
I am about 9 minutes in and you clarified a point I also misunderstood. I also thought a garden tower would provide passive fertilization through the in-built compost tube. . . until this video in fact. Thank you!
Yeah, I remember feeling really disappointed when I realized that, Lol! I was like, "Well, I already have a massive composting system going, sooooo...."
How can ANYONE make that assumption?
This was exactly what I was looking for! A direct comparison--and you did a wonderful job explaining the "best use-case" for each! Thank you!
Me too. Just recently going to invest in a vertical garden and this video sealed the deal on the vertical garden. I will be purchasing the Gardenstalk! Thank you!
Finally!!! Someone giving an unbiased review!!
But also, for the tower, I can imagine putting plants on different levels based on their watering needs.
Glad it was helpful! And yes, being more strategic about which plants go where would definitely add to the success of the Garden Tower, for sure.
I have both styles. I haven't had the same issues. Growing lots of things in both types. I do water all my towers from the top and I also water around each pocket of towers just in case water doesn't filter down. I live in Florida so everything dries out quickly due to high heat and humidity. Mine are flourishing.
Oh my goodness, this was perfectly what I needed. I knew I wanted to put some vertical garden into my gardening space, and this answered my questions about the 2 towers. Now I feel really clear about what would suit my needs better! (And I love that you share healing and energy work too!) Thank you so much for your generous sharing of your experience. ❤️
Thanks for the review! I had already decided on the Greenstalk because every gardening channel I follow loves them . . . but they are sponsored. I do not trust reviews where the reviewer got it at a discount or worse, for free. I know my expectations for something I spent $0 on is different than something I spent $200 on. I was so happy to find someone who BOUGHT the product, and as an extra bonus you had a different product to do a pros vs. cons comparison. I really appreciate it!
Yep, totally get it! That's one reason I wanted to review. I bought it on the strength of Jessica Soward's recommendation because I trust her, but know that sponsored promos are always a smidgen suspect 😉
I had no idea that you have to pull out the compost every couple of months in the Garden Tower. I’ve been eyeing that for over a year. Glad I waited and got to see your reviews. Very helpful information for a non-gardener who wants to try.
If I remember right, they do say that in their "how does it work" video. But you're supposed to put it back into your soil or, I guess, you could throw it back on top of the uncomposted stuff to help speed it up.
You're an absolute excellent reviewer. Even the company that 'lost' should be thanking you.
I'd like to add that DT sells stackable pots. Also, that patio it the better place for this item. I've seen too much pricey plastic become brittle and break down. Once that starts, it ends up all over the place. I've stopped using plastic in the garden. Heck, even plastic plant tags break down and end up in the soil.
I purchased some red wrigglers from the bait section of my W-mart, and put a few worms in each layer of my Greenstalk, and then any brown/yellowing leaves get broken apart with my hands and placed back onto the pocket soil both to mulch it and to feed the worms. I also water it using water from my pond so there is fertility there too. So far so good. Hope that helps, God bless!!
Thanks for the reply! Those are really smart strategies, and I'm sure it's done well for your plants.
I heard someone say that you shouldn't put earthworms in pots because they dry out faster than in ground and then they die. Did you find this to be the case, or is it still working out for you?
@@marysmith4811 So far so good. The green stalks kind of shield the soil a little bit, because the middle section is kind of covered by the next tier. I really only had problems with the worms dying when I water too much because they then jump ship and I find them dried out on my patio or floor. My green stalk does dry out faster than my big SIP (sub irrigation) pots though, so I have to watch it more carefully. I also find that they run out of food faster cause I don’t have a big worm bin resevoir for it like I do in my larger SIP’s. I still think the GreenStalk is the way to go if you have a very small space.
Omg! The mushroom thought sounds awesome! Can't wait to see how it turned out !!!
Love my greenstalks. Thanks for the review and follow up. Very helpful.
I'm glad that I found your video. I just ordered the greenstalk tower 3 days ago before I saw your video. I find that the price was very expensive, especially when shipping to Canada. You reinforced that I made the right choice because I had been looking at the garden tower. Thanks for the video.
I'm eager to see how well your garden tower does with mushrooms. Wonderfully informative video. Thank you.
After having researched vermicomposting for more than a year, I found that leachate is actually not the same as worm or compost tea and should not be added to vegetable gardens, even diluted because of the potential for harmful microbes. I have been using greenstalk for nearly a year and have had great success. Better than I could have hoped for. My 3 are used for my kitchen garden and contain mostly herbs for teas and cooking as well as salad greens, kale, spinach, peppers, edible flowers and the like. Thank you for your great review and being so positive, even when the garden tower failed to perform as expected.
I thoroughly enjoyed your excellent review. I've been on the fence about whether to get a Greenstalk and this makes the case for pulling the trigger. Thanks for taking the time to share.🙂
Thank you. Great job. Love the tips and feedback. You are very respectful in your delivery. 😊
I love that you have given a realistic review for people who work and don’t have a lot of time for maintenance. It’s fine to say how something can work under ideal circumstances, but I appreciate seeing what some of the limitations are for someone who is unable or uninterested in doing all that.
Yes, exactly. The ideal can sometimes get in the way of what is possible, if we don't respect the seasonnof life we're in. And gardening is SO flexible, there are so many ways to make it accessible in our lives. Happy growing!
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful garden with us. It’s looking beautiful for this time of year. I only hope mine looks half as nice as yours in a few more months. Thank you for a wonderful garden tour of your beautiful card and I enjoyed every minute I watch from the beginning to the end. Thank you so much my sweet friend.
Great review and comparison! I have been a fan of Roots and Refuge and Greenstalk for some time and just set up my first leaf planter from them this year. I have wondered about that other planter, thank you for all the great information!
You're welcome Mary! Glad to have another R&R fan here :)
Very helpful. Thank you! 🎉
Thanks for taking the time to do a comparison review of both towers. It was very beneficial to me! I am sooo happy I ran across your review before purchasing a Garden Tower. I too had the misconception regarding the use of the composting tube! That was the only reason I was considering paying the much higher price of that tower. The cost difference is certainly not worth it to me now that I know the compost tube doesn't continuous feed the tower.
wow such a thorough and well done review! you clearly know your stuff. tysm for taking the time and doing this for everyone! really kind. i am saving for my greenstalk!
They have a sale until March 1, the seven tier leaf is $119 if you use code Jill10, and you get 15% off the base.
Excellent comparison, thank you! I cannot believe that tower garden costs more, I thought the greenstalk was a bit out of my range. I got one anyway because of Roots and Refuge, and 2 others. Should have watched a bunch of planting videos before, but live and learn works well too. Great idea for the mushrooms!!
Very helpful video indeed, thank you! I will be getting the greenstalk in the future.
Very informative, clear, and useful information. Thank you!
Great review, all my questions answered! And the fact I already ordered the Green Stalk Leaf I’m glad it got a good review lol. Again, you give the most concise review and supporting comments.
This was extremely helpful! I have been debating these 2 towers for quite some time and you just helped me decide which will work best for me. Thank you!
I have a green stalk and my grandparents have a grow tower. After having a Greenstalk, I could not use the grow tower.
Thank you so much for this review!! I have been wanting a greenstalk for a couple of years, but I wasn't sure if it would do alright in in the San Joaquin valley. I'm in Bakersfield, so your temperatures, but less rain. I couldn't find anything on RUclips for dry hot climates, but finally ordered one for the mother's day sale.
Your review gives me confidence and relief that I didn't waste a a bunch of money. I tried cheap stackable planters and they dried out way to fast for my uses. Thanks again for reviewing the greenstalk!😊
Thanks for your thoughtful and comprehensive report. It helped me out a lot.
You're welcome!
This was a fantastically informative post…. Thank you.
The pot idea is so amazing!!😊💓
I wanna do it!!😸
I'm looking forward to watching your videos ☺️
素敵です！
Great suggestions for the garden tower. Just received my green stalk today!
Love-love-love your review 💚🌱
I’m excited to see if the mushrooms work in the tower. Perfect timing on this video as I’ve been close to pulling the trigger on trying some towers and these were the two I am considering
I'm excited too. Nothing yet! 😬 Good luck with your tower!
Great follow up !!!! I think we will be purchasing the GreenStalk very soon !!! Thank you for sharing .
So glad it was helpful! When you order, remember to use the coupon code from Roots and Refuge Farm! ROOTS10
@@heartscapesreiki1496 I will :) .
Thanks for this review!
And Reiki 👋 from W Oregon! I also have in the ground gardens, but have thought of adding one of these - maybe in my little greenhouse!
The mushroom bed is a great repurposing thought - I've grown a few kinds from kits - always a treat!
Thank you for an excellent review
Thank you! I came for the towers and learned you're a master as well. Love it.
Thanks for stopping in! Sit down, have some tea, and stay for a spell 🫖😊
I love that idea and that is something i would love to learn more about Mushrooms.
Great review. Thank you!
Thank you for such an informative honest review. My husband and I were looking into the feasibility of our investing in the garden tower when I ran into another video introducing the Leaf Garden as a viable option. You have clarified some of my questions and concerns. Thank you very much for sharing❤❤
Very good breakdown and review, thank you for your video!
I have both of these towers. I agree with the grow tower review. I have just bought two green stalk towers and am looking forward to growing this year. I find it easier overall and have rigged up a drip line so that when I am gone the reservoir will be filled when the the beds are watered.
That's a great idea for remote watering!
Hi Dear, first time at your channel. I am also a failure with garden tower too. Do really like Green stalk. Like the idea for growing mushrooms. Keep us update. 🙏
Such honest and excellent, reviews and comparison, thank you so much
This is so helpful. I've been curious about both these systems and haven't found anyone else who has tried them both. I would be in the same situation as you, in that I have other garden beds and an existing compost set up. I want a tower system primarily to keep delicate crops, like strawberries, off the ground. Thank you so much for your very considered and well articulated reviews.
You're so welcome! I'm loving growing strawberries in the GreenStalk!
I've been growing in greenstalks for a couple of years, and just picked up a used garden tower through craigslist. What I have is very large for a patio garden, but so far I am growing exclusively in containers.
What the garden tower offers that I'm most excited about is the opportunity to compost, and to start learning vermiculture when I'm not allowed (per my lease) to do it inside and not allowed to keep a proper compost bin outside. I'm also looking forward to, perhaps eventually, having a good permanent home for a few favorite perrenials or demanding annual vegetables that really care about having a deep root space, and then maybe growing strawberries or salad greens off the side.
It's interesting to me that this review compares to another vertical planter, but does not compare to other vermiculture systems--which are inherently going to be more work than a standard compost heap, regardless. That's a comparison I would be curious to see!
In any case, I don't really have *experience* with the garden tower yet, but I'm happy to answer any questions that come to mind as best I can. :)
@@dayharper9637 Thanks for sharing this! Yes, your situation is exactly the kind of thing I thought the Garden Tower would be great for. I'd love to hear how it works for you. And yes,I would also love to see a comparison to other vericulture systems! I don't have any experience with them (except failed attempts not worth mentioning). So that wasn't something I could include in my review. It would be interesting to see someone like the folks at Hey, It's A Good Life (RUclips channel focused on worm farming) review it. Maybe I'll ask her to!
Fine review and suggestions. I appreciate your video. I grow mostly in containers and raised bed but do have bantam Golden Corn and Sunflowers in the native soil. We are in the Mohave Desert so we have heat like you and colder weather like you but a bit drier and with less water and poorer soils here. Thanks for your video and I too like R & R Farm with Jess and Miah and their children/teens.
So informative! Thank you!
I struggled with the Garden Tower for two years and also ended up with mostly strawberries that are barely hanging on. You have accurately described the challenges with it. I bought a Green Stalk this week hoping that the reservoir will solve the fact that the Tower needed to be watered two or three times a day when it was really hot. I'm certain my worms were dehydrated because I never saw them after the first week. I'd be really interested on seeing a video of you prepping the GT for a mushroom farm.
Yeah, it's a bummer that it has such design challenges. I'll get a video out on the mushroom farm soon!
The resivour is just to help distribute the water to each layer. Any container would dry quickly in hot temps. You can try adding a top layer of wood shaving or chips for a barrier from the sun. Add perlite to the soil to help absorb the water. Also if your tower levels are too full of dirt the the little holes that distribute the water can get clogged and water won't reach all the plants. I got 2 Mr. Stackys this year and I still water each layer just to be sure the everything gets enough.
There are no challenges with a Garden Tower plus the design is superior but you have to do it the right way. If yours compacted you probably used dirt from your yard, a cardinal sin if you are using the Garden Towe, and for so many reasonsr. It needs Promix Potting Soil With Mycorrhizae, which is heat treated to kill bad bacteria, which will never compact, and the worms will keep it extra loose allowing the roots to get very long, which allows for more nutrient absorption. The tower literally fertilizes itself everyday because of the worm droppings. You never have to worry about over watering because it all drains into the draw at the bottom, waiting to be reused, leaving the soil moist, which is all you need. You just have to do things the right way. If you drive your exotic car into a wall it will not work out well for you either. I see so many complaints about the Garden Tower and it's because these people are not following the proper procedures. The Garden Tower is the most amazing and flawless way of growing food that ever existed and there is just literally no better way. The Tower saves you money and labor which in the long run pays for the seemingly high price. It's actually a very good price, in the long run, and pays for itself in that long run.
This is very helpful. Thank you!
I've switched to greenstalk just this yr ..I tried the garden tower last year and didn't have much luck due to my schedule and watering correctly...and not being on top of the compost... looking forward to getting plenty of veggies this year though
Great video!
I love my GreenStalk too! Their customer service is top notch I’ve had to contact them once about a missing part and I received it the very next day.
Yes, same, received a missing part right away, with a sweet apology note 😊
Thanks for the honest comparison and confirming what I thought. I just ordered my 7 tier Greenstalk this weekend and looking forward to getting it up and running. Do that mushroom update when you can, even if doesn't work out as many of us learn from watching what does not work as well as those that do.
Enjoy it, and let me know how it goes!
Hello! Just wanted to let you know that I've now posted the update about turning the Garden Tower into a mushroom farm! Find it here: ruclips.net/video/8vHFHHkrSVU/видео.html
Thank s for the info
I really appreciate your video and you seem like a very sweet lady! I also love the way you take time to explain and think on things!
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching!
I live also in California and I also have a very small yard and a very small food garden that I’m trying to make bigger each year
P.S. Thank you for the comparison, I was going to try to build a compost tower planter, but now re-thinking it. I really like Jess at RR Farm too. I love the cattle panel arches she inspired me to build. Thanks!
I use Earthboxes a lot but haven't wanted to dedicate four of them to strawberries. I saw two of the Garden Towers for sale locally pretty cheap, and looked into them -- I had apprehensions about it you've well-confirmed here. I think it's going to be Earthboxes...
Glad I saw this review before I purchased the Garden Tower, I can get two Greenstalks for the price of the Garden Tower.
What a great idea to repurpose that tower! I did wine caps for the first time last year. I just spread wood chips, inoculated it and covered with more chips. got 2 flushes. so pumped :)
Awesome! I started with a winecap.oatch,but made the mistake of using old mulch, so it failed. Just re-started it, so hoping I can follow your success!
Hello! Just wanted to let you know that I've now posted the update about turning the Garden Tower into a mushroom farm! Find it here: ruclips.net/video/8vHFHHkrSVU/видео.html
@@heartscapesreiki1496 Off to watch that right NOW!
great info! i, too, learned about the GS from Roots and Reguge :)
I love your video And I also have two green stocks and I love them and I do love roots and refuge I just discovered your channel and I love it
Thanks Bernie! Isn't Jess the best??
I tried to subscribe , but , RUclips says I have too many subscriptions !!!! Keep making gardening videos and I'll keep watching !!!! Thank you very much !!!!
I have three Greenstalks and I have to agree with you. I do water the pockets in spring when the plants are small and the roots also small. Ditto for seeds. All in all I love them.
Yep, the GreenStalk is a really solid, wrll-designed product, at a decent price.
I live in Chico CA on a Suburban lot as well. Have a greenstalk as well and have to water pockets in the heat sometimes.
Hello Neighbor! Chico is not so far from me, and we have similar gardening climate :)
This was a great video, thank you. Very helpful and great information. I invested in the garden tower and regret it. Because all the soil is connected everything died… I’m not sure if I over watered, under watered, not enough fertilizer but I believe it got root rot and everything went… thank you for the alternative options.
So glad it was helpful!
Love the mushroom idea! Seems like straw in the wire potato cage might work for them too.
What a great review! I have 2 GreenStalk towers and love them. I was wondering if something else was cheaper or better. You answered thoroughly! Thank you! I’ll stick with the Green Stalk!
BTW, super jealous of your lemon tree! We can’t grow them in TN.
I've wanted a Garden Tower since I first watched John at GrowingYourGreens many many years ago. I'm finally in a position to purchase one, but your review really crystalized for me something I've been concerned about... dirt compaction. (And it's so easy to get all distracted by the compost/worm tube. I too thought the plant roots would make their way into that tube.) Last fall I decided to purchase a Green Stalk original because of the price and was happy with it. Now I think I'll purchase a Green Stalk Leaf. Sorry Garden Tower! Thank YOU for taking the time to give such a comprehensive comparison.
I'm so glad it was helpful! I continue to love my GreenStalks,and struggle with my Garden Tower.
I was exploring tips because im trying to grow as much as possible this year!
I owned 2 garden towers and now have 3 greenstalks. Mine were the original ones and for a 250.00 garden with wooden feet and rotting of those feet, I had to toss one. The other is now a strawberry tower only as yours is. It also rotted on the feet but I have propped it up on bricks. It is immovable, difficult to plant in because of soil becoming compacted being so much soil and immovable. I actually hate it and hope to replace it with a 5 tower leaf for my strawberries soon. I love the greenstalk, its portability, weight, moveability, rotateability, watering and fertilizing is easy from the top. I havw had issues w clogging of the watering holes however. Keep some kabak skewers handy and its easily fixed. My only issue is having to water from the pockets but its easy. I refresh w new compost each year added to old soil but mixed well. Much easier to plant seedlings than in the garden tower at 1/3 the price. Cant beat it! I use liquid fertilizer added to watering to deal w soil fertility. INGENIOUS ideas for using the Garden Tower! We have grown winecaps w limited success in the ground and no success w an inoculated log. So, I will look at removing the legs and trying to use for mushrooms, however the compost tube will be incredibly difficult to clean well. Even as a strawberry tower it was very limited success due to poor watering. I even rigged a soaker hose coiled throughout the soil channel w no success. Thanks so much for the info and inspiration.
Thank you Miss. A very interesting video.
I wonder where can you get the inoculated Straw. I went to your friends website and couldn't find it.
Glad it was helpful. I got my mushroom spore from North Spore, which you can find here: www.northspore.com
They produced well
Just found this looking for more info on the Greenstalk that just arrived. I've barely begun watching, but given that you live in Davis and I live maybe about an hour south of you in Manteca, my guess is your decision is going to be based on solving our watering issues. I wanted that garden Tower so badly but I read all of the specs and realised that as wonderful as being able to make compost right in it might be, I don't need to do that. I have a dedicated space for easy composting. I can't imagine the center tube holding a couple of months of just vegetable scraps as we generate. With my late summer and autumn canning, I couldn't see that the tube could possibly keep up with all the leftover veg and fruit scraps (no chicks to help). But I didn't see the big issue solved I didn't see anything encouraging when it came to water. Let's face it, where we are, the first issue to address is always managing our water. My thought was that this would be great east of the Mississippi and western Oregon and Washington, where rain is lots more abundant and you want it to wash on through instead of drowning your plants. Agatha Christie heading back to actually watch the video now.
Yup, you're right on my analysis. Hope you love your GreenStalk!
I have 6 green stalks and I put a time realsed fertilizer in the soil in 2 levels when first putting together. Through the growing season every 2 to 3 weeks I feed a water fertilizer in the top and added water so that the fertilizer got to all the pots through the summer and fall. Mine was very successful growong herbs, lettuce, greens, peppers and such things. mine struggled with green beans even though I saw others grow them with success. This year I plan to have 2 of mine for strawberries,some herbs such as Thime, chives, oregano and different flowers and some greens. Like you I have extensive gardens in the front and the back of my home. I did find them easy to water (I am 5'3" and had to have a water wand to succeed. Mine are all like your tan one with the deep pots. I live in an extremely windy area and had to build a system of cages around them to keep from toppoling over. I do like them and am glad I bought them.
I have two greenstalks and just ordered another during the St. Patricks Day sale. I now have two reds which was a promotional color that is no longer available. The one I just ordered is green which is what was on sale. I am looking forward to the Mother's Day sale at least I'm hoping they have one then. This is really freeing up some garden space for me. I will be putting some dwarf tomatoes, peas, some bush string beans and a lot of herbs. Did I forget to mention strawberries and lettuce? I have two originals, new one is a combo and I want to order a leaf.
That sounds awesome, good collection of plants. I have 1 Leaf dedicated to strawberries, one Original that's about half strawberries half flowers, and another Leaf not yet planted.
Thanks for the honest review. I have the garden tower and I feel the same. It cost almost $500 , which would be worth it if it performed as advertised, which it doesn’t. I do like my tower for strawberries. But it will need to last about 15 years to make it worth the cost
Thank you for your input! I just ordered the Garden Tower. I have grown mushrooms and never thought about a tower. I am going to order my spores and try it out. Do you think I can still compost in it if I am going to grow mushrooms? I am thinking that it will not work to use the composted in the center.
view #7777 ! :O Anyway, thank you for such an in-depth review. Your mushroom tower idea is brilliant!! Can’t wait to see updates.
jess is an amazing Gardner❤
Hello from Davis! I have a new Leaf, purchased the soil, and will be starting it up in May. Your video is very helpful. I have several deep raised beds, so am planning this to be for plants with mire shalliw root needs. I'm trying to decide on its location: it seems that it would need a stable surface to avoid tipping, so it's either back patio with just morning till noon east and shaded south sun, or front porch with just afternoon west sun.
Sorry, no idea why this posted as coming from my daughter! It's actually Charlotte X.
@@elizabethx.p.7391 Hi Charlotte! Glad to hear from a Davis neighbor! Have a great gardening year!
Sounds like a solution.
To help with soil fertility I use water soluble fertilizer and use that instead of plain water in the water basin
Yep, that's generally necessary with any vertical planter. I had originally thought that the addition of the compost tube in the Garden Tower would reduce or eliminate the need to fertilize. As that is not the case, and since I already make heaps of compost in bins, the compost tube was not a benefit, and caused other design requirements (like being a solid column of soil rather than modules) that were not beneficial.
The mushroom use for the ‘GardenTower’ sounds genius! Will check to see if you did that and filmed an update.
Sadly, I haven't. It was a total fail,not a single mushroom. I believe it was because I didn't keep it wet enough in our hot, dry summer. Deciding what I want to do with it thos year. It might end up a Strawberry tower afterall 🤣
@@heartscapesreiki1496 I know your climate dilemma-part time Sonora resident after being full time for 28 years. Lots of sun burns (me) and sun-baked plants. Sounded like an awesome solution. I’m sure your creative mind will find the best best thing! Enjoy your videos. Also, I’m 75-but doing bodywork for a decade+ was one of my incarnations. Homesteading for 20,+ so some overlap. Still devoted to taking care of the planet and its inhabitants, animal, vegetable and mineral. (Talk to rocks🤣🤣)happy trails.
I bought an urban worm bag which is 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet and its continuous flow. Harvesting is recommended every 6 months. That sounds like a better option to me.
great show niece|. what a delightful and timely insight (((-
Thanks for watching Auntie!
So yeah...just got my GreenStalk combo (Half Std, Half Leaf). As a beginner, I found your video pretty damn good. THANKS! Luna says: "Who TF are you talking to, huh?"
The red skeleton face seemed to be smoking something!! Comedy aside…excellent review of the products! Thanks for sharing!
Davis, huh? Haha, I'm in Vacaville! Last year's weather was unusual for us, did your garden thrive? Mine got weird because it's not used to not having the 115 plus degree weeks. I am looking into these towers and hydroponics, the kratky (sp?) system. I don't have a farm like you do but I'm lazy and can't arse myself to be tending the garden every day for hours. So I'll look into green stalk.
I was thinking with the garden tower perhaps if you drilled holes into the trays would it help with the watering situation? I do like the idea of a compost maker but the dang things are expensive so no trigger pulling for me yet.
as one who just purchased two Greenstalks, mostly because of Jess's recommendations on Roots and Refuge, I was so glad to find this side-by-side comparison and review. I was holding my breath that GS got high marks. I've had some small strawberry jar planters and not had much luck with them for some of the same reasons that the Garden tower had issues, so it's like that tower is basically a larger version of it. I'm wondering if somebody who has a GT were to install a perforated PVC system of watering tubes that would leak water the entire column of the planter - maybe a few of them around the inside of the planter. Might help with even watering?
I just bought the Tower. i have not received it yet. Darned. I wished I had seen your review first. I don't have alot of gardening experience. I have space, but want to deal with the lack of water. Does not seem like the Garden Tower will help with that.
I went to Greenstalk and bought one of their towers. thanks.
I rescue cats from the Central valley and bring them to Marin County and Bay Area!
Hello! You can definitely make the Tower work. I got to thinking after the video that one could insert a soaker hose vertically down through the soil in several spots (install while adding the soil) which could be a good way to water consistently.
@@heartscapesreiki1496 thank you for that insight.
I have worm bins. I don't need to have a worn bun that i need to deal with in here if it's n out functional to the garden.
I believe they were not super clear about this.
I boufht it from amazon. So i can return it, i assume. Ill check.
Don't give up on the tower! I've gotten three of them via various means (one of which survived being partially crushed when our high tunnel collapsed in a freak snowstorm that dropped two entire feet on us in a night). The one that's got my strawberries in it is already bumpin' again this spring and I found that the soil still has live worms in it despite single digit temperatures over the winter. The worms will distribute their castings and compost as they move in and out of the central tower. If you like strawberries, you'll like the tower.
Damn sorry to hear it wasn't as convenient and useful for you...
My dollar tree has the 3 Pot Planters that stack into this shape, minus the Middle..
More space in each planter and no Worms in the middle so I guess it's better
I made 2 towers for Small Veg grow this summer
I hesitate to comment because we live in radically different environments. I am in SE Louisiana. I was wondering if you thought that amending the existing soil in the Green Stalk might be sufficient as opposed to entirely replacing the soil? It's possible that your climate would demand replacement, but I certainly wouldn't know better than you as I've never experienced your conditions. One of my concerns is hurricane season and the height of the Green Stalk system. I'm considering setting up two, 3 tier high columns to hopefully mitigate that issue. I very much appreciate your detailed, straightforward reviews of each product and your creative thinking about repurposing the Garden Tower. Best of luck!
Hello! Thanks for the questions. Yes, amending the soil in the GreenStalk, plus fertilizing throughout the growing season, is sufficient for quite a while. After a few seasons it can get worn out and benefit from replacing, especially if heavy feeder plants have been grown. When that happens, the modular system of the GS is worlds easier to deal with then the Garden Tower.
Regarding hurricane season, yes that would definitely be a concern. We get very heavy wind storms here, and mine have stood them fine. But in hurricane or tornado regions, it would be good to take precautions such as ordering them with the wheeled base so they can be moved to shelter when needed, or securing it to the ground or a structure.
The 1st tower, the middle tube/pvc should have small hole rounded from top to bottom that where you can put not only ur food waste but also u can also water it from there and from hole will separate it to each tower bucket. That will also help u not to pick ur compost every month, coz the plants root will take the nutrients from that small hole. I hope it can help u
Hi, thanks for the comment :) I did try watering from the compost tube, but the water runs through and drains too fast to absorb much into the tower. Good way to distribute ute some nutrients ts,but doesn't really solve the watering problem.
For a non-gardening chanel, this was an amazing unbiased review. One question I have re: the greenstalk. I too live I. The central valley and the summer is brutal for waterings. Do you still find yourself watering these daily like any other container in 100+ weather or do you get a least a day off in between watering?
Thanks Aaron! Yeah, I keep thinking I should make a separate channel for garden stuff, but I'm just not consistent enough with them,so they get tucked in between all my Reiki content 😁
To your question, I did not have to water every day, which surprised me. Every other day was fine even in the peak of summer, and between the serious hest waves I could get away with even less. I believe that is because so little of the surface of each layer is exposed, so evaporation is limited. The roots of the plants move away from the open pockets, towards the interior where more water is retained.
I wonder if a fully planted, watered Garden Tower would be too heavy for an apartment balcony.
Good question, definitely something to check, see if there's a weight limit on a given balcony. I imagine it's about the weight if a person.
Not a great idea in an apartment either if the plants won't grow well. People's lives are busy no matter where they live but nice of you to be kind
So how did the mushrooms work out?
If I were you I would explore using bio char in you planters to help hold nutrients longer. Try it in one of you containers gardens as an experiment 🙂
Good idea!
Excuse me!!! How DARE you use big words!!!😝😝😝 what is bio char please! Im about to endeavor a vertical garden in ‘pockets’ on my wall. Seeking info on what to use as i am in Phoenix with scorching heat. I need all help in retaining water. Will this help? Thank you and anything else in advice-im all ears! BLESSINGS OF LOVE🙏🏻❤️
@@lindabuck2777 I would start with getting worm casting check out Arizona worm farms as well. Bio char is a high carbon soil amendment that helps retain moisture and nutrients in the soil. But it is expensive if you don't make it yourself. But there are hacks you can use to bring the price down
@@lindabuck2777 follow team benson desert gardener she is in your area
How do the plastics compare in the two units?
Hmm, interesting question. I would say they are both equally sturdy and durable, and both are more sturdy than other tower's I've checked out. Both are made in the US.