Is there a basic ratio on how much soil to use per plant?

11 years ago

This is my 2nd year planting tomatoes and peppers and I have some questions about soil and the amount. Does anyone know how much top soil to use for a certain amount of plants for example...

How many cubic feet/pounds would fit in (10) 5 gallon buckets, or how many cubic feet/pounds would be enough for 10 tomatoe plants? (if I just dig a hole in the ground and filling it with soil to put the seedling in. To clarify this, last year I dug a 12 inch wide x 14 inch deep whole and filled it with soil)

Also I know this probably has been said before but I will probably buy my soil at one of the large wharehouses since I got a gift card and was wondering what is the best bang for the buck soil that would be nice for Tomatoes and Peppers. I want to try to stay organic as well. Right now my seedlings are in red cups with "Espoma Organic Potting mix" and 1/3 are in MG Organic Potting mix.

I also read some great things about Arozmite and will probably add this to the soil as well as some other compost/droppings (any recomendations?)

Sorry for so many questions and if this has been covered before and Many Thanks in advanced,

-Mr Beno

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Comments (8)

jonfrum
11 years ago
There are conversion sites on the Internet. Just search 'cubic feet gallons conversion.'

For tomatoes, 5 gallons is generally considered the smallest your should go. Peppers will do better in 5 gallons, but would like more space. There's a difference between what you can get away with and what is best practice. I've seen great results for tomatoes with 5 gallon grow bags, but that was pruned plants in a hoop house.

Don't waste your money on azomite unless you know for sure you need it.People have been growing great vegetable gardens for a long time without rock dust.

This post was edited by jonfrum on Wed, Apr 3, 13 at 14:46
digdirt2
11 years ago
I agree that your question isn't very clear and it would really help to explain it more.

As trev already said you never use top soil in containers and the average plant spacing in-ground is 2 feet although some use 3 feet.

If you are going to buy soil-less potting mix for your containers then whatever brand you want is as good as any other unless you are willing to spend extra for a high quality professional mix.

Growing "organically" in containers is very different from growing organically in the ground. The ground has the beneficial bacteria to convert the organic fertilizers so the plants can use them. The soil-less mix used in containers does not. So different fertilizers have to be used.

We need more info from you please.

Dave
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thebutcher
Original Author
11 years ago
Sorry for the confusion and thanks everyone for the advice. To clear it up, I was just trying to figure out how much soil to buy and a recommendation. I am new but learning more everyday especially from this forum.

For example I wanted to know how much soil to purchase for aprox (10) plants using 5 gallons as an (example measure.) 5 plants will be in ground and I am planting the other 5 in containers or container bags....

I think I will go the container bag route (Any recommendation on Container bag brand and size for tomatoes and peppers?).....
I am aware that 5 gallon gallon containers are pushing it for tomatoes/peppers so I may get a 7 gallon bag or 10 gallon if that is not to big for tomatoes.

My initial confusion was when I saw some soil advertised by cubic ft and some by the pound, but I do know now from the above responses. I also did not know that the weight of the soil played a factor on the soil moisture content as said above.

Last year I was told to dig a whole and pour soil in it to help with the plant and top it with mulch. So I dug 4 holes about 12x14 and poured soil in it. The 4 plants only produced about 35 "early goliath" tomatoes about tennis ball size so I new something was wrong, I did not use anything else.

For my soil, I think it could be good, I just never tested it the location is based between Philadelphia and Princeton and there tons of tomato farms in the area so I guess it couldn't be bad.

So now I know not to grow organic in containers with organic soil but rather soil-less mixture? and with that said any organic soil-less mixture should fair well in containers.

I hope this clears it up and I thanks everyone again for their help.

And for my last question which I am still confused about has to do with..... what fertilizer to add to the soil for the plants that I just put in the ground with it's existing soil? ......and what type of fertilizer to use for the plants I grow in the containers with a soil-less potting mix?

Sorry if I confused you again. And I really appreciate everyones advice and patience in answering.

-Mr Beno
NilaJones
11 years ago
'Soil-less' mixture is the British term for what Americans call 'potting soil'. Neither one of them is anything like topsoil. I think this has been part of your confusion.

Potting soils do not have the nutrients plants need. If you use potting soil you will have to fertilize.

A better option, in my experience, is to mix compost with perlite for your pots and not use any potting soil. If you need a lot of compost, you should look into buying it by the truckload, not in bags. You will save a fortune.

Digging holes in the ground and filling them with soil tends to be problematic, because the roots tend to stay within the whole and not spread far enough to make a healthy plant. A better method is usually to put the plant directly into your yard soil, and then add 2-6 inches of compost to the ground around and between the plants, everywhere except in pathways.
NilaJones
11 years ago
As for your original question, a general rule of thumb is that each plant needs a root volume as large as the space it takes up above ground. This varies by species, of course, but is a good starting point.

This is why tomato plants tend to be stunted in 5 gallons, and not produce much.

BTW, instead of buying planting bags you can use heavy duty trash bags. Just make sure you make holes in the bottom for drainage!
digdirt2
11 years ago
I agree that the terminology can get confusing but once you have a chance to see several brands of bags of potting stuff next to each other, the labels make the differences pretty clear.

Common usage for the terms is

soil=dirt, the stuff the ground in the garden is made of and has no use in containers

top soil= dirt, which may or may not be of better quality than garden dirt and has no role in containers.

potting soil=bags of other ingredients, usually some peat, vermiculite or perlite and some sand mixed with some dirt. Quality of most potting soils currently on the market are considered only poor to fair.

potting mix=soil-free mixture of peat, perlite or vermiculite or both, and sometimes some coco fiber. The quality far exceeds that of potting soil and is commonly referred to as a soil-less mix even in the US.

So when you use the term soil we aren't always clear on exactly what you mean and thus the warnings to not use soil (dirt) in containers, only use a soil-less mix, a potting mix.

If you wish to buy in bulk rather than in the big bags and fill your own containers then some nurseries will make up a soil-less mix for you and sell it by the cubic foot.

If you want to buy bags for your plants most brands are sold in 1 cubic foot or 2 cubic foot bags. A 1 cubic foot bag is equal to approx. a 6.5-7 gallon container and a 2 cubic foot bag is equal to approx. 12-14 gallon container.

Hope this helps.

Dave
thebutcher
Original Author
11 years ago
Every response has been great and much appreciated, this really helps out tremendously. I will keep this post updated as I move along (plus with any other questions : ). I am about 2-3 weeks away from hardining off the plants.

Thank you everyone again.

-Mr. Beno

Is there a basic ratio on how much soil to use per plant?

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Is there a basic ratio on how much soil to use per plant?

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jonfrum

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