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Ray, North Dakota

If I buy a 5 lb bag of Alga core, which calls for 1/2 teaspoon per gallon when mixed for foliar feeding, will five pounds last all year for 6 AG plants?

Also, how much water does one AG plant take on a typical summer day? Do you water every day, every other day etc?

2/26/2006 6:26:15 PM

Norton, MA

1. Depends entirely on how often you use it. I would say you'd be good though.
2. On average people say 1-2" per week is good, it depends on your soil type and the weather. Generally, misting is done many times daily (because it barely reaches the soil) to cool the plants, and watering is done every 2-3 days. OVERWATERING IS ONE OF THE WORST THINGS YOU CAN DO. AleX Noel.

2/26/2006 7:29:33 PM

Ray, North Dakota

1-2" means how many gallons? You gotta talk to me like I am a child man! lol.

I was told when watering, 10-15 gallons every 3-4 days, when the plant is fully mature. Sounds reasonable considering how fast they can grow in a day.

2/27/2006 6:46:49 PM

Norton, MA

Not sure on the gal. If I was to figure it though, it comes to 200-450 or so gal. on 500 sf. plant to get 1-2" coverage? Yikes sounds like alot! So 100-200 gal. every 3-4 days! Maybe somebody wants to check that. AleX Noel.

2/27/2006 8:40:18 PM

Kevinstinindians@yahoo.com

I would use the Alga Core as a foliar Herbie, when the plants are at full size I would say you're gonna need 4 to 5 gallons to cover all the leaves, applying it every 3 to 4 days would be ok. If you wanna use kelp in the soil I'd use kelp meal, most start at around 25lbs/1000 sq.feet in the spring time, up to 50lbs/1000. You'll need to water way more than that as well, unless you're growing in a rice pattie. Without looking it up, 1" of rain on 500 sq ft/week would be a little over 300 gallons, if the math in my head is right. To give you an idea, Larry Checkon gave the 1469 50 to 100 gallons of water each day, depending on the weather.

2/27/2006 9:11:56 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Herbie, I think, I have read that 600 gals per 1K sq ft per week is in the ball park, have to take into account...soil type, local weather, etc. I guess spending time with your hands getting dirty is the best way to tell if your soil is getting enough moisture. If ya can squeeze water out of a handful of the soil in your patch it is probably too wet. Get down and dirty and you will probably be able to figure it out. Consistently moist, but not wet, is probably close. I am also new to AG's and hope this helps. Peace, Wayne

2/27/2006 9:52:34 PM

Ray, North Dakota

We are typically cool and somewhat wet here anyway. Soil gets none too dry up here, but like everyone says, monitor it every day. Sounds like work!

2/28/2006 10:54:20 AM

Norton, MA

What did ya think when you said you wanted to grow giants? Just a picnic in the patch?! LOL! It'll get ya. AleX Noel.

2/28/2006 7:26:43 PM

Ray, North Dakota

Nope nope Alex, I am always under control, or just the illusion of it. lol

3/1/2006 10:50:07 AM

Itzetown City

Henry Holman did god remarks of this, I think.
http://www.homestead.com/henryholman/files/pumpkin_watering_rules.html

3/1/2006 1:55:56 PM

Midwest

High Organic content in your soil will reduce your water needs. Mulching with hay, straw, grass clippings will also conserve water. I guess how you apply it is also a consideration.

3/2/2006 1:34:35 AM