skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Need some math help.......

4 years ago

Well, not really math, just your opinion. I have 7 70 gallon raised stock tanks that I've been growing things in for a number of years. I put too many drainage holes in them, and have been slowly trying to plug some of them up. Also, I've always only used my cured compost for them. I've finally cried UNCLE because their production has dwindled, and decided to give some organic fertilizer a try (Dr. Earth's OMRI certified). The directions say "for container use, apply 1/4cup per 5 gallons". I have about 2-3 tomato plants per stock tank. I wanted to start out slowly with the fertilizer, so I only used about 1 and 1/2 - 2 cups fertilizer for each stock tank. If I divide 70 gal by 5 gal, that is 14. 14 gal x .25 cup fertilizer= 3.5 cups of fertilizer for the entire tank. So I think I've cut the suggested fertilizer in half. Is that right?

I'm starting out slowly, because I've never used fertilizer before and want to be cautious. I can always add more.

Is my math/thinking correct about the amount?

Thanks!

P.S..........It's okay to your your calculator. ;)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

party_music50
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I had to search for their usage instructions on-line and when they say "1/4c per 5 gal potting medium", I think they mean at the time of planting when it can be fully incorporated into the mix. Otherwise, it says "1 c per 10 sq ft growing area or 3 c per 50 feet of row", which I would use for roughing up a calculation. What is the growing surface area of each tank? (width x length). I'd start out with a lesser amount too simply due to the rounded tank shape holding less medium.

ETA: I suspect your use of 1.5 to 2 c per tank was about twice the amount they recommend, but maybe your tanks are larger than I imagine.
catherinet
Original Author
4 years ago
Hi party_music. Thanks for helping me. I have trouble reading, but I should have looked it up online instead of just the package.....but maybe I missed it there too.

I sort of freaked out when I thought I may have added to much, since I used it on all the tanks with tomatoes. Okay........so these tanks are oval......and are around 6'6" long and 2'5" wide and around 16" deep. So not counting the depth, it would be about a square footage of 16.25. I'm thinking I'm okay. My brain is spinning. It's sort of weird doing square footage when you take depth into account. Sorry if I sound a bit challenged. So knowing this info now.......does it sound like I didn't over-do it?

Thanks!
Related Discussions
I need help with math!
Q
Comments (5)
This is why using all the info provided by Sq. Foot Gardening has already been suggested to you in several of your posts over the past several months. Sq. Foot Gardening, tons of info about it on the web, has already done all the conversions and calculations for you. It tells you exactly how many of every kind of vegetable to plant in each of your containers. All you have to do is measure the width and length of your containers, multiply the width by the length to determine the number of square feet, and then plant. We even did the math for you on several of your containers. However whenever I post there, I'm treated like I'm an idiot whenever I ask a question about gardening; as a result I avoid posting there unless I have no other choice. Yes, your posts do belong on that forum but I agree that some of them have run out of patience with you. That is because you keep rehashing the same issues over and over and over again. It isn't nearly as complicated as you make it out to be so why does the tipic require 8 different posts? I also have given you links to online garden planners (linked the easiest below again) where all you have to do is type in the length and width of your container and it will tell you exactly how many beans plants, or turnips, or lettuce, or rutabagas or anything else to plant in the container. If you have a 1 sq. foot container you put in 4 bean plants, 2 sq. foot, planter gets 8 plants, etc. No math to do, no conversions, no complications. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Planner
...See More
I need help with math!
Q
Comments (2)
You could calculate the surface area of your container and using Mel's website (plants per square foot)figure how many plants will fit in the container. I haven't yet been able to figure out how many squares of something I need for two people. You did the math correctly. However, this would give you beans all at one time. It doesn't take into consideration what is known as succession planting. For that you plant some of these plants every couple of weeks to get a continuous harvest. For example, 9 bean plants fit in one square foot. If you use a variety like Blue Lake bush beans,they continue to grow all season and are good for freezing,too. I planted about 8 square feet of beans and had enough to eat beans every day or so and some to freeze. Keski
...See More
Need help with math for a recipe
Q
Comments (3)
I'm ready to help, but I have some questions...do you have the recipe (if not, I do). How many batches (or squares) do you want to make? Have you made these before (if not, I have tips for you...). Also, they only stay fresh for a day or two, otherwise they get kinda hard. They are easy to do, so you could do a test run and then make the real ones just before your Easter fun. I'll check back later today.
...See More
Need help with math problem
Q
Comments (15)
tete_a_tete, what lane do you use? If you are in the far left lane you are in the lane which is strictly for faster traffic and for people to pass the slower ones. If you are in the fast lane doing the speed limit and traffic is passing you on the right (another no-no) or is tailgating you you are not keeping up with traffic you need to move to the right. Keeping up with traffic means you may need to speed in order to pass the cars to your right, then move over to the right lane and drop back to the speed limit. Let those around you pass so it keeps traffic flowing. If he average speed of the cars in the fast/passing lane is the "keeping up with traffic" (a federal law) and you are going slower than that, you should definitely be in the right lane unless you are keeping up with the person in front of you at a safe distance. There is NO good reason to drive slowly in the fast lane at all, when traffic is clear to you then PLEASE pull over to the right! This is a law I think that needs to be on every test EVERY 3 years when renewing your license plate, although different states have different time limits when you have to renew, my photo will be good from when I was 35 until I am 65! Bottom line, no one will tailgate you in the slow lane, but if you are going too slow in the fast lane people will get pissed.
...See More
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
It is pretty darn hard to overdo an organic fert like Dr. Earth. By nature slow release, it will continue to feed your tomatoes for much of the rest of the season without need for reapplication.

It's all good :-)
catherinet
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks, gardengal!

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A Modern Loft Gets a Little Help From Some Friends

By Mitchell Parker

With DIY spirit and a talented network of designers and craftsmen, a family transforms their loft to prepare for a new arrival

FARMHOUSES Houzz Tour: Some Old Tricks for a New Atlanta Farmhouse

By Karen Egly-Thompson

A ‘pretend story’ helped this builder create a new farmhouse that feels like it was added onto over several generations

GREEN DECORATING 8 Questions to Help You See Through Green Hype

By Laura Gaskill

With the ecofriendly bandwagon picking up some dubious passengers, here's how to tell truly green products and services from the imposters

8 Ways Dogs Help You Design

By Molly Brandenburg

Need to shake up a room, find a couch or go paperless? Here are some ideas to chew on

KIDS’ SPACES Could Your Home Help Your Kid Be an Olympian?

Looking to nurture a future sports star or just get your kid up and moving? Take some coaching from these homes

DECORATING GUIDES Downsizing Help: Color and Scale Ideas for Comfy Compact Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

White walls and bitsy furniture aren’t your only options for tight spaces. Let’s revisit some decorating ‘rules’

MATERIALS Raw Materials Revealed: Brick, Block and Stone Help Homes Last

By Buckminster Green LLC

Learn about durable masonry essentials for houses and landscapes, and why some weighty-looking pieces are lighter than they look

DECLUTTERING Downsizing Help: Choosing What Furniture to Leave Behind

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

What to take, what to buy, how to make your favorite furniture fit ... get some answers from a homeowner who scaled way down

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: Colonial Bungalow in Singapore Finally Gets Some Love

A designer helps revive a neglected house with new furniture, custom cabinetry and a room that’s open to the outdoors

LIFE Consider Avoiding These Plants to Help Keep Your Garden Fire-Safe

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Plants that accumulate dead material, are high in oil or have low moisture content in leaves put some homes at risk

Sponsored

More Discussions

Veggie Tales - April 2024

53

gave my garlic a haircut today

11

What will leftover leeks from last year do?

3

What are rabbits favorite veggies?

11

How often to add soil sulfur?

5