I am mixing up small amounts of potting soil (about 15gal. or 2 cubic feet) at a time. Its mostly peat moss and fine composted pine mulch, with about 1 pound of ground lime to bring up the PH. How much 10-10-10 fertilizer would you add 1 pound, 2 pounds, etc....? I know most people on this board are growing organic, and i try to when i can, but am using the 10-10-10 to keep cost down right now. Any help with this would be great.
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fertilizer 10-10-10 Fertilizer question?
- Thread starter DelawareDave
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AlabamaJack
eXtreme
disagree with tonly and superhot on this one...the soil he is mixing has next to no nutrients the plants can use...
when you use peletized fertilize, you want to put it into the ground and work it in before you plant...not after...you want all the mix to contain nutrients.
for the amount you are mixing at a time, use about 3-4 Tbsp and mix it in good...then about once every 6 weeks or so, side dress with about a Tbsp...
I am using 13-13-13 this year...then I will add whatever the plants tell me they need throughout the year...
when you use peletized fertilize, you want to put it into the ground and work it in before you plant...not after...you want all the mix to contain nutrients.
for the amount you are mixing at a time, use about 3-4 Tbsp and mix it in good...then about once every 6 weeks or so, side dress with about a Tbsp...
I am using 13-13-13 this year...then I will add whatever the plants tell me they need throughout the year...
Quote friends over, at this early stage we do not recommend fertilizing the soil is already rich in nutrients.
AlabamaJack
eXtreme
please tell me what is nutricious about peat moss and composted pine mulch...pine is acidic but IMO has very little nutritional value as compared to other composts...am I wrong? I have always avoided using pine in my soil mixtures because of the natural chemicals in the wood...pine makes a great mulch layer for acid loving plants...
I agree with AJ, the mix doesn't have much going for it in terms of nutrients without additives. I don't really have a hard and fast rule when it comes to fertilizer in my potting mixes. I try to err on the side of too little, but usually it's just a matter of following the recommended amounts on the box...
Incidentally, I find throwing it all on a tarp is the easiest way to mix it, just roll it back and forth by lifting the corners until thoroughly mixed. A 6' by 8' tarp has enough space to mix about 15-18 gallons at a time.
Incidentally, I find throwing it all on a tarp is the easiest way to mix it, just roll it back and forth by lifting the corners until thoroughly mixed. A 6' by 8' tarp has enough space to mix about 15-18 gallons at a time.
You would only use 3-4 tablespoons for 15gals of mix? I was thinking 1/2 to 1 cup so I'm glad i asked!
Good idea! I just throw it on my garage floor and toss it like a salad with a shovel. Works good too. Mixing small batches in a wheelbarrow is a total PITA and waste of time.
I'm not a commercial grower like AJ and his chili wisdom is far superior to mine. They're many growing methods that produce excellent results as well. I have never used the fertilizers types that you and AJ use, so I wouldn't know how properly use them anyways. Last season I used "Pro Gro Organic Fertilizer" which I applied biweekly. My peppers and tomatoes exploded in size with excellent structure and color. When you find something that really works you don't want to mess with it too much.
When you learn how to use the 10-10-10 fertilizer you may feel the same way about it as I do with my "Pro Gro".
If you want to take a look at it...here it is:
http://www.dirtworks.net/Organic-Fertilizer/Pro-Gro.html
Good luck!!
When you learn how to use the 10-10-10 fertilizer you may feel the same way about it as I do with my "Pro Gro".
If you want to take a look at it...here it is:
http://www.dirtworks.net/Organic-Fertilizer/Pro-Gro.html
Good luck!!
AlabamaJack
eXtreme
sure hope I didn't come across crass or anything...our family has been using the "peletized" fertilizer for generations...I learned how to use it from my grandfather...you dont' want to saturate the soil, rather just a tad then add a little as side dressing along thru the grow season...
When you started talking pounds I was thinking "whoooooaaaa Nelly!" I'd stick with AJ's recommendation. You can always add more.
Hot Stuff, lime doesn't free up the nutrients in the soil. Lime is used when your soil is too acidic to lower the pH. Once the pH is right for the particular plant you're growing that is what makes the nutrients available to the plant. Peppers prefer a neutral pH 6.5-7.
I use a large plastic kiddie pool for mixing my growing medium. I can get 6-7 five gallon pots worth mixed up at one time.
Hot Stuff, lime doesn't free up the nutrients in the soil. Lime is used when your soil is too acidic to lower the pH. Once the pH is right for the particular plant you're growing that is what makes the nutrients available to the plant. Peppers prefer a neutral pH 6.5-7.
I use a large plastic kiddie pool for mixing my growing medium. I can get 6-7 five gallon pots worth mixed up at one time.