I have Earthboxes. They work well, but they are nor magical. You still have problems with disease and pests like in a regular garden. Don't try to grow corn in them. Don't ask.

I agree with Amber. They are good, but not a miracle. You will still have pests and diseases. But you should have vigorously growing plants that have a better shot at withstanding them.

Pros:
(1) It is nice not to have to weed at all.
(2) If you will follow directions, you can grow a lot of things very well in the Earthbox. Sweet peppers and especially eggplants do particularly well for me in Earthboxes - I get much higher yields than I do planting them in-ground.
(3) As long as you use the right kind of soil and fill the Earthbox according to directions, you can't overwater - so no root rot.
(4) If you're careful to keep the slits in the plastic mulch as small as possible, there's very little soil splashing on the plants during rains. This reduces (but does not eliminate!) diseases.
(5) No nematodes.
(6) If you use dolomitic limestone per the instructions, you shouldn't have too much trouble with blossom end rot on your peppers and tomatoes. (If you can't get dolomitic limestone, get some other source of calcium and magnesium.)
(7) Except for the plastic mulch covers, they hold up well to sunlight and weather. My oldest Earthboxes are about 7 years old and have been outside all that time. Although the long sides have bowed out slightly, they are still good working condition.

Cons:
(1) If you use the wrong kind of soil or fertilizer, or don't fill/plant according to directions, the results may not as good.
(2)The support system they sell is completely inadequate for large (indeterminate) tomato plants. It is pretty marginal for the larger determinate tomatoes, too. Unless you are growing true bush-type tomatoes, you'll need to construct your own supports. However, the support works fine for eggplants, peppers, etc.
(3) If you grow tomatoes in the summer, the Earthbox does NOT hold enough water for two large indeterminate tomato plants in intense heat. Even with daily watering, the Earthbox will dry out and your tomatoes will experience water stress. You can either water twice daily, spring for the automatic watering system, or plant only one indeterminate tomato per Earthbox. But if you grow your tomatoes in the winter, I doubt you'd have this problem.
(4) The plastic mulch cover breaks down fast in our intense sunlight. One season is all you should expect. Sometimes the elastic falls apart before the season ends and you have to try to tape it down for the rest of the season, which is annoying. May as well order some extra covers with your boxes, so you don't have to pay shipping for them next year.
(5) The soil/fertilizer kits are usually a rip-off compared to big box store pricing, especially if you are getting more than one Earthbox. I'd price it out before ordering.
(6) Earthboxes are not good for plants that like to dry out between waterings, like some herbs.

Because of the support and summer watering issues with indeterminate tomatoes, I use my Earthboxes for eggplants and peppers in the summer, and lettuces in the cool months. In the past, I have put my tomatoes in the ground. If I have a LOT of organic matter worked in, the nematodes don't keep me from getting a crop. I will be trying my tomatoes in new raised beds this year. (Crossing my fingers!)

Your mileage may vary - the above is just based on my personal experience.

I agree with the previous comments except that I've never needed to water more than once a day even on the hottest days. In addition to corn, broccoli does much better in ground than in the boxes and probably other things as well. Some things like peppers I've found do better with fewer plants than recommended.

I've had ten boxes for at least seven years and mine are still in very good condition also, other than the bulging sides. In an attempt to save money I tried homemade boxes which functioned well but disintegrated in a year or two. So I bought five more earthboxes during a free shipping sale and the newer models are stiffer and thus less likely to get the side bulge. They have also eliminated some of the floppy parts on the bottom and integrated them into the box. As for stakes which you will need for the tomatoes, one simple but effective way is to buy a 50 ft. roll of 4 ft. wire fencing and cut it into 7 or 8 ft. lengths. Then just wrap it around the box and it contains tomatoes very nicely.

I'm sure you will be happy with the boxes if you follow the instructions. You'll be growing great tomatoes long after you've gotten over the sticker shock.

Legumes are the key to controlling predatory nematodes. You can definitely grow vegetables in the ground if you at least minimally mineralize your OM, and rotate heavily with various legume species between other crops.

I have eight Earth Boxes. I planted four boxes within a day or two of arriving Oct. 1st and bought four more. I've produced cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts are tiny and very cute, parsley, tomatoes (not so hot), peppers, parsley, eggplants, and lettuce that is getting bitter from the heat. I would not plant root vegetables like beets in them.

I have a dog and he'd be in the raised beds, he leaves the Earth Boxes alone except to check them for geckos.

I do use fresh potting soil/fertilizer each time I use them.

I've enjoyed the videos Earth Box produces. (Except for the dumb music.) http://www.earthbox.com/videos/

Carol B. Sarasota

I planted sun hemp as a cover crop for part of my garden this past summer. I applied very little compost and then this fall, put tomatoes, yes, in the ground! and Brocolli where the sun hemp had been. I did great with the brocolli. The tomatoes didn't produce much, but I pulled one today to check the roots, and they were beautiful. Not a knot on them. I was very pleased!

Thanks to everyone who responded, mine are growing on the patio under the pool screen, tomato and 2 cukes, will show GREAT results when they fruit