Clogged GreenStalk | Not a set it and forget it

Clogged GreenStalk
The bottom tears of my GreenStalk where not getting water. I had my son help me take it apart so I could clean the water trays.
Welcome to Growing with the Woodpile
A journey of learning how to garden in 2 zones. Hot Zone 9a in Mesa - Phoenix Arizona and cool weather 6b in Alpine Arizona www.sprucedaleranch.com . I learn how to garden by watching other KZbin Channels, books, and my county extension office. I am sharing what I have learned, tried, failed, and successfully grown in my 2 gardens.
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Music by Brian Willis

[@lindag4484]

Like MilliePat said below: Maybe Greenstalk should be making those little holes a little bigger? Hmmm... maybe next time I have mine apart, I will drill the holes a little bigger myself. ...just a wee bit bigger.

[@hyacinthABC]

I saw a video saying to drill the holes slightly larger so when I got my newest Greenstalk I did that. I also made my fill mix differently - screened potting mix + cocoa coir + perlite for better drainage. I had to water my first Greenstalk pocket by pocket because of clogging.

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

Good idea

[@jeremiah-hr7ik]

I ordered 3 and when they get here I'm gonna drill bigger holes to alleviate the issue

[@cherisarton7075]

This was very helpful. It is still chilly here in Maine but I am prepping my GreenStalk for planting (my second year). It was good to see how you got yours ready for the year. I also agree that the bottom level doesn't get enough water so I always add a bit to each pocket. I have 2 of the original towers and last year they grew everything I planted really well (strawberries, cherry tomatoes, peppers, several different herbs and flowers). Looking forward to this growing season.

[@lindajustice2000]

A water pick works really well to blast dirt out of the holes. I have an older one that I use to clean mine and it also works well on the hard to reach places in my countertop ice machine

[@talkinnmedia4535]

Great video. I like how the camera person positioned the view so we could see just what you were doing. How each tray connected.

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

Glad it helped

[@Dindasayswhynot]

9b, surrounded by almond orchards, some row cropping, 2 freeways with my house built on an old pear orchard, sandy, gritty soil always blowing around in the wind. You know ... ideal growing conditions LOL. Even a rug outside and one inside aren't adequate to contain the constant grit I track in. It's just a fact of life here. I have one season under my belt with a Greenstalk. I think I missed the cork when I assembled mine, but I realised the need to do something so I raided my kitchen junk drawer and am using a bottle stopper to cover the center hole. I am short and can't see in to the reservoir so figured I could fill it better if I plugged the hole. I expected to have to water more than most others given our dry climate. I like the idea of turning the water reservoir upside down to minimise the gritty dirt getting in it. My plan was to cover it with foil and weight it down somehow. I expected a learning curve. I missed the instruction to line the hole of the ... grey reservours ... up with the planters, so my watering wasn't spot on. Correcting that now. I love mine so much that I got another during the Mother's Day sale. I'm still planting it with stuff for 5th season while trying to kill off winter"s broccoli. Love mine and would take any used I could find (zero as of this writing). I hope everyone falls in love with theirs in time. Thanks for the video.

[@Swiergotka78]

Love the mesh idea on the water reservoir! Is it working well?

[@freerangegardening]

I will be putting coffee filters over all the holes so dirt doesn’t get I to them but water can flow through easier. Hoping that will help!

[@Swiergotka78]

Did it work?

[@deniselogan2733]

I just received mine over here in Scottsdale so it’s extra nice to learn from someone who is in the same growing area.

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

I have had mine for almost a year. I am still struggling

[@gardentours]

The ones that are on the bottom are always very dry. Thanks for sharing 👍🏼Happy New Year 🎉🎆

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

Yes they are but, they where bone dry

[@LauraG313]

Yes the water flows down the middle so it most likely was the clogged middle hole that was your problem 👍🏻

[@lisapop5219]

I got a chuckle with son of muscle. My son is 25.

[@carriejo9759]

You have the grey disc with the line in the center. You can order new disc that dont have that line. I got a greenstalk used from someone. I think the line causes problems that being said someone drilled out theirs and the holes where too big so I ordered new grey disc as the ones I have do not have the center line. Also lids are awesome to keep debre out.

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

Thanks I will see if I can get new discs

[@Itried20takennames]

Garden Kitty!

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

kitties are the best

[@innas5882]

I don't even use those gray dripping plates with holes. I am using automated drip irrigation system.

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

Good idea

[@MilliePat]

The holes are too small, when I get one I will use a drill to slightly expand the holes. It needs a cover on the water reservoir.

[@SherryCamp]

It comes with a cork. And I Also turn it upside down when not watering. We’ve not had any issues with ours, and we e been using it for 3 months. That’s whey I was wondering how long it took for it to clog.

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

Thanks

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

I did not see a cork

[@SherryCamp]

I notice on their website that they now offer a cover for the top water reservoir. But, they are out of stock.

[@dt-paz516]

We just got one like 3 weeks ago and it didn't have a cork.

[@SherryCamp]

How long were they in use before your started clogging. I’ve not had that problem but we’ve only been using them about three months.

[@sharonstokes5214]

I have the same question. It seems to be a lot of work. I am setting mine up. As a senior this is too much. I have buyers remorse.

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

About 6 months

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

I hate to say it but I do have buyers remorse

[@dt-paz516]

I'm not super impressed either after having it a few weeks.

[@jozi4136]

Had mine for 3 years. Never had this issue. I do leave a small gap under the gray water trays when I put them together. But I mainly do lettuces and herbs. Have one with strawberries. Maybe I have been lucky. I Only use potting soil

[@janicegilman7672]

Are you using dirt, garden soil or potting soil in your GreenStalks?

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

I basically use squarefoot gardening mix that I make from top soil, perlite, vermiculite, and compost.

[@rosemarythyme8595]

Also, they are heavy because you have compost in there. I am not experiencing any issues you’re mentioning in this video.

[@cryptograndma4387]

Are you using “potting mix”? The dirt looks too heavy. Potting mix is very loose and light

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

I made my own mixture, I did add vermiculite and perlite so it is fluffy

[@susanturner1171]

I'm not finding the watering to be adequate

[@GrowingWithTheWoodpile]

I have to water twice a day in the summer… when I sow seeds I have to water by hand until they sprout