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How do I mix the weekly feed fertilizer?

Fertilizer Bag

Weekly-Feed Fertilizer provides for the on-going nutritional needs of growing plants.

To make 26 pounds of Weekly-Feed Fertilizer, mix together the following:

  • Calcium Nitrate—CaNO3 10 pounds
  • Ammonium Nitrate—AmNO3 (34-0-0) 3 pounds 8 ounces
  • Phosphorus—P (0-45-0) 3 pounds 12 ounces
  • Magnesium Sulfate—MgSO4 (Epsom Salt) 2 pounds 12 ounces
  • Potassium—K (0-0-60) 4 pounds 12 ounces
  • Boron—B (Borax) 3 ounces
  • Manganese—MnSO4 2 ounces
  • Zinc—ZnSO4 3 ounces
  • Iron(Fe) Chelate #330 ½ ounce
  • Copper Sulfate—CuSO4 ¼ ounce
  • Molybdenum—Mo ¼ ounce
  • Gypsum—CaSO4 1 pound

What if I can’t find these ingredients?

Learn More

Ask your garden shop to stock them. Or, you can order the mixture directly from us. (Compare to Miracle Grow)

For a short-term substitute to the Weekly-Feed fertilizer, mix together

  • 6 pounds fertilizer (16-8-16)
  • 1 pound magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)
  • 5 grams boron (Borax)

Tips

To help with your measuring, remember that "a pint is a pound the world around" and 1 teaspoon equals 5 grams.

What do the numbers 16-8-16 mean?

Throughout the world, fertilizer is sold using standard labels. The three numbers show the percent of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the fertilizer. For instance, the fertilizer bag shown here contains 10% of each element.

What should I do if I can’t find a 16-8-16 fertilizer?

Substitute one of the following mixtures, shown here in order of most acceptable substitute to least acceptable:

  • 16-16-16 fertilizer
  • 20-20-20 fertilizer
  • 10-10-10 fertilizer

Garden Genius

Do you plan to use the standard Weekly-Feed formula listed above or to start by using the short-term-substitute formula?

Use standard Weekly-Feed formula

Use substitute Weekly-Feed formula

Check off the ingredients for one batch of the formula you choose on the Tools and Materials List in the Garden Genius. Be sure to print out this list before you exit.

Ordering Mittleider Fertilizers

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Tip of the Day

It's Spring Planting Time! For those of you in the Northern hemisphere who have winters, March and early April are the time you need to be preparing your soil and planting the hardy vegetable crops such as radishes, peas, cabbage and broccoli.

The freeze/thaw cycles of winter have broken up and loosened most soils, so as soon as it's not muddy, go in and give everything a good weeding with the 2-way hoe (see Tools). Weeding thoroughly this early gives you the upper hand, and is very important.

If you grew a Mittleider garden last year, your beds will be easy to re-make. Just apply Pre-Plant and Weekly Feed to the bed area, then till them in, place strings on your stakes, and re-make the beds.

Be sure to re-check the level of each bed accurately, since they may have changed a little. Do not be satisfied with anything more than 1" fall in a 30'-long soil-bed. Good Gardening!

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