5:1:1 Mix Watering Questions

10 years ago

I'm sure this has been addressed a gazillion times, but I've spent the past couple of days browsing posts and haven't been able to figure it about how to determine somewhat watering schedule, what frequency I should be looking for if my mix is working as it should, and how much.

I'm just getting started using the 5:1:1 mix for my vegetable garden. I checked all the local nurseries and feed stores with no luck for pine bark fines or coarse Perlite, but was able to find great pine/fir bark fines as a soil conditioner brand of Greensmix at my local Walmart of all places. I was worried it was too much dust, but after sifting a little bit, about 5% passes through an insect screen and very few pieces bigger than 1/4", mostly in the 1/16 to 1/8 range, so I'm pleased . At $3.30 for 2 cubic ft. back, I think it's a good deal. I did find a brand of soil conditioner called Mountain Magic at Home Depot, which is pine and fir bark fines....and composted forest materials. They had an open bag and it had very little bark, mostly dirt-like compost, so glad I didn't get that. I did find coarse Perlite at Home Depot, so all set with materials.

Now...on to my question about watering. I plan to water with low strength fertilizer each time, as suggested, but how often should I be watering and how much each time? I understand that there are tons of variables, such as location, humidity etc. Living in a dry state like Utah, things will tend to dry out even more quickly, so any guidelines on what I should be looking for, aiming for in regard to when and how much to water would be very appreciated.

Thanks to all of you for all the great information. This is really my first time growing a vegetable garden as an adult (always lived in apartments with no room), and now I'm bouncing back from a disastrous encounter with fungus gnat ridden Miracle Gro Organic Choice, so am really hoping to be able to save my seedlings.

Thanks again,

Laura

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
10 years ago
As long as the plants get the prescribed amount of fertilizer one way or another, you're ok. Early in the season I use more fertilizer because I water less. During peak season usually about 1/4 strength at each watering, which is almost every day. There are many methods for determining dryness, but I use a cheap bamboo kabob skewer inserted into the container for a minute or so. If it comes out damp, no watering, if dry, water.
Wrekkless
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks - that's really helpful!

While I have you...here is a photo of the pine/fir bark fines/soil conditioner I was able to find. At 12 o'clock is straight out of the bag. 8 o'clock is what was left after screened through a sieve, which I am gauging about 1/16" maybe a bit bigger. On the bottom right at 4 o;clock is what fell through the sieve. I think I was a bit optimistic %-wise of dust, as it seems to be a good percentage volume-wise. Would it be best to sift and use only the bigger pieces of bark - is it too much fine stuff going on straight from the bag?

Thanks again :)

Laura
Related Discussions
Al's 5:1:1 mix when growing veggies in areas w/ alkaline water
Q
Comments (11)
I've ordered a 3 gallon fertilizer injector and I think I've calculated a formula to start with: 12 parts vinegar: 1 part foliage pro I'll set the fertilizer injector at 250:1 This should deliver almost 1 TB vinegar per gallon of water and 1/4 tsp of FP per gallon. From what I've read the vinegar should lower the ph by approximately 1. Drip irrigation will be watering/fertilizing almost every day. On the weekends, I will probably hand water as needed, especially to flush out the containers. I'm sure this will need some tweaking, but that's my starter plan Anyway, if anyone has advice for me on that, I'm all ears. However, my real question is whether it is safe to combine vinegar and FP. From reading other threads, it seems like people have done it with other fertilizers, but always diluted with water and used immediately. In my case, this injector would be sitting there with a full-on mixture of 12 parts vinegar and 1 part FP. I'm in Kansas where we are likely to hit 100 degrees during the summer. Is that going to be safe and effective or can the vinegar somehow "ruin" the fertilizer?
...See More
5-1-1 or Gritty Mix Watering Question
Q
Comments (1)
I can tell you that watering was no different for me last year in my hot and dry summer. All my plants that were in the hot sun all summer were actually holding moisture better than the peat based mixes. If you are concerned about having to water in the gritty mix and you live in an area where your soil dries out too fast, why not adjust your mix by adding more turface? Mike:-)
...See More
Tomatoes: 5-1-1 mix or self watering
Q
Comments (4)
5 gallons is very small for any tomato other than a small, determinate variety. If you live in a warm area, I would expect to water once a day at least. As I often say, the mix *will* hold plenty of moisture, but it is important that the appropriate size container is chosen. Josh
...See More
Watering frequency of 5:1:1 VS peat mix
Q
Comments (4)
I think many people who use 5-1-1 the first time, including me, are concerned about how much you need to water in the beginning. What I found is that my bark was too dry when I made the mix. The first summer I grew tomatoes in 25-gallon containers of 5-1-1, it took a couple weeks outdoors for the containers to get to the point where I didn't need to water every other day. Since that time I've made an extra effort to wet the bark before mixing and to really drench the mix before planting. Now I find that I don't need to water more than once a week in the first six weeks or so if we are getting at least an inch of rain a week. Once the plants are big and producing fruit, I do have to water every two or three days unless we have a lot of rain. But I used to have to do the same under the same conditions when I used a peat based mix. Most of my house plants in larger containers of 5-1-1 don't need as frequent watering in the summer because they don't grow as fast as tomatoes.
...See More
edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
10 years ago
You are lucky to have the Greensmix product available. It looks really good right out of the bag. Maybe a little small, as 3/8" down to dust is optimal IMO. The original 511 mix is recommended to have no more than 1/6th of the total mix as fine stuff. In my case I need a little more for additional water retention. So it just depends how you want to try it. The stuff at 8 o'clock looks really good IMO. If you want to start with 5 parts of that and add 1 part of 4 o'clock and 1 part of perlite you'll be on your way. Don't forget to add 1 tablespoon of garden lime per gallon of mix.
Wrekkless
Original Author
10 years ago
Ed,

Thanks so much for taking the time to confirm. I actually couldn't believe my luck at finding it - I bought 4 bags immediately and then got to 2nd guessing, thinking that maybe it was too small. It really is comforting to have someone in the know give their opinion.

I did also come across a bag of ground pine bark mulch at Home Depot that is perfect for the gritty mix, which I am going to try for starting some seeds. I was so thrilled:)

For the 5-1-1, I did get sphagnum peat moss, too (and garden lime) but do you think it would be better to go with the 1 part of the finer 4'oclock stuff from the fines rather than the sphagnum?

Laura
edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
10 years ago
I don't think it matters. It's a nice problem to have :-)
Wrekkless
Original Author
10 years ago
I definitely agree. I think I'll try some both ways just for kicks.

Thanks again for sharing your wisdom:)

Laura

5:1:1 Mix Watering Questions

Comments (6)

edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28

Wrekkless
Original Author

Related Discussions

edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28

Wrekkless
Original Author

edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28

Wrekkless
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

5:1:1 Mix Watering Questions

Comments (6)

edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28

WrekklessOriginal Author

Related Discussions

edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28

WrekklessOriginal Author

edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28

WrekklessOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Wrekkless
Original Author

Wrekkless
Original Author

Wrekkless
Original Author