Spring has arrived for most of us, so it's time to get your EarthBoxes ready for the growing season. In this issue of "Inside the Box," I'll tell you how to do just that.

The process is fairly straightforward. Just follow these steps:

• Remove the old cover.
• Scoop out the old, leftover fertilizer.
• Loosen the soil. You might need to top off the EarthBox with potting mix. Remember, use potting mix, not potting soil!
• Make sure the potting mix is moist throughout.
• Decide what to plant. Check our planning chart, which also includes information on fertilizer and plant placement. If you choose vines or tall plants, they'll need staking support. Our staking system is the perfect solution for these plants.
• If you're planting peppers or tomatoes, add two cups of dolomite or hydrated lime to the potting mix before each planting. Spread it across the top of the mix.
• Apply a new fertilizer strip, if you didn't buy a new planting kit. The planning chart will show you where to put the fertilizer.
• Put a new cover on. Keep the black side up, except in desert climates and Florida in the summer; in those cases, put it white side up.
• Fill the water reservoir. If you want your EarthBox to be self-sufficient, consider purchasing an automated watering system.

Always remember to do the following things:

• Keep the cover over the potting mix and fertilizer.
• Keep the water reservoir full.
• Put the fertilizer on top of potting mix, and use dry fertilizers only; DO NOT use water-soluble fertilizers.