Kitchen at home and My Garden. CUISINE PLANTS, Fruits, Veggies, Spices and Herbs Gardening: Chilli, Coriander, Ginger, Lady Finger, Lettuce, Pandan, Pasley, Spinach, Spring Onion. Pitcher Plants, ORNAMENTAL PLANTS, Cactus, Ferns, Carnivorous, Orchids,

SOILS

1. Soil volume needed per pot

✅ 38 cm × 39 cm (≈ 7 gallon)

≈ 26–28 litres per pot

✅ 26.5 cm × 30 cm (≈ 5 gallon)

≈ 18–20 litres per pot

✅ Square 26 × 26 × 18 cm

≈ 9–10 litres per pot

✅ Round fat 25 × 16 cm

≈ 6–7 litres per pot

✅ Round flat 33 × 13 cm

≈ 8–9 litres per pot

Your setup and all the pots you have listed are more than enough to build a complete, efficient, high-yield home garden.
And yes — the photo you shared looks perfectly okay. The stand is stable, airy, drains well, and the pot distribution makes sense for what you’re planning.

Below is a fully optimized planting plan based on every pot size you listed, so you can maximize yield and reduce plant struggles.

🌱 1. Summary of All Your Pots & Best Matching Crops

Here is the correct matching for each pot size based on root depth, canopy width, and crop weight.

🟩 A. 38 cm × 39 cm round (≈ 7 gallon) — 4 pots

📌 Best for heavy fruiting plants

Winter melon
Pumpkin (small varieties)
Watermelon (small icebox types)
Capsicum (bell peppers)
Tomatoes (big indeterminate types)
Eggplants
Papaya dwarf (1 per pot)

📌 Companions you can put on top

Carrots (yes, correct)
Radish
Spring onion
Basil
Mini lettuce around edges

🌟 Note: One heavy melon per pot only. They drink a lot.

🟩 B. 26.5 cm × 30 cm round (≈ 5 gallon) — 26 pots

📌 Perfect for climbers

Cucumber (1 per pot)
Japanese cucumber
Bitter gourd (1 per pot)
Loofah
Long beans

📌 Also suitable for

Tomatoes (smaller varieties)
Chili padi
Okra
Ginger (shared pot)

These are your main “trellis plants pot size”.

🟩 C. 26 cm × 26 cm × 18 cm square — 10 pots

📌 Good for shallow-root leafy vegetables

Xiao Bai Cai
Chye Sim
Spinach
Kale
Lettuce
Coriander
Parsley
Celery (1 per pot)

💡 These pots are excellent because the rectangular shape allows dense planting.

🟩 D. 25 cm × 16 cm round fat — 20 pots

📌 Best for “medium leafy + compact crops”

Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Kailan
Tong Ho
Kang Kong (Soil version)
Garlic chives
Onions (spring onion)

These are your “Chinese veg” pots.

🟩 E. 33 cm × 13 cm shallow round — 20 pots (9 used for Malabar Spinach)

📌 Suitable for shallow-root creepers and herbs
You are perfect using them for Malabar Spinach.
These pots also fit:

Mint
Basil
Oregano
Thyme
Pak Choi (baby)
Strawberries

Your stacking idea is very clever — Malabar Spinach WILL drop seeds into the lower pots naturally and fill the whole frame.

🟩 F. 2-tier bed (70 × 140 cm)

Upper: three 70 × 20 cm trays

Chye Sim
Xiao Bai Cai
Kale
Rocket leaves
Mizuna
Lettuce
(Perfect match)

Lower: 40 × 140 cm

⭐ Absolutely perfect for:

Ginger
Turmeric
Galangal
Lemongrass
Taro

They need long & deep soil, not sunlight.

🌿 2. Hydroponic Systems (#02)

Towers: 80 + 64 cells

Ideal for:

Lettuce
Xiao Bai Cai
Herbs
Kang Kong
Spinach
Kale
Lavender
Butterhead
Romaine
Rocket (Arugula)

Avoid in tower:

Big leafy vegetables
Fruiting vegetables
Root vegetables

DWC boxes

(Square 30 × 30 × 20 cm — 2 sets)

✔ Kang Kong
✔ Lettuce
✔ Spinach
✔ Pak Choi
✔ Spring onion (super good)

(Rectangle 44.5 × 20.5 × 18.5 cm — 2 sets)

✔ Romaine
✔ Chye Sim
✔ Basil (big bushes)
✔ Mint (explodes in hydro)

(Round hydro box 14.5 × 17 cm — 2 sets)

✔ Small herbs
✔ Mini lettuce
✔ Baby spinach

📌 3. The exact combination you should plant

To make your whole house productive:

🏡 #01 Ground (Trellis Plants)

Use your 26.5 cm × 30 cm pots (26 pcs)

✔ 8 cucumbers
✔ 4 bitter gourds
✔ 2 loofah
✔ 4 long beans
✔ 2 okra
✔ 2 tomatoes
✔ 4 chillies

🌿 #01 Vertical Wall (semi shade)

Use the tiered stand + all shallow pots

✔ Malabar spinach (already growing)
✔ Herbs
✔ Lettuce
✔ Baby vegetables

🏡 #02 Terrace (Hydro towers)

✔ Full lettuce production
✔ Kale
✔ Xiao Bai Cai
✔ Spinach
✔ Mint
✔ Basil

This will give constant vegetables every week.

🥒🍇🍈 4. Summary Table

If you want, I can generate a one-page summary table showing:

All pot sizes
How many pots
Which plant goes where
Sunlight requirement
Watering frequency
Trellis required or not

Just say:
👉 "Make the planting summary table."

If you want, I can also design your final layout plan for #01 and #02, showing where to place each pot and trellis.

I will start the above slowly, one at a time. today, I saw the winter melons come out with tendrils. It's time to move them to 38 cm × 39 cm round (≈ 7 gallon) — Pot. are my 2nd biggest pots suitable for winter melons? 26.5 cm × 30 cm round (≈ 5 gallon) — 26 pots the old yellow cucumbers also started to have tendrils. so they will be inside this 2nd largest pots.

Yes — your pot choices are correct and the sizing is very suitable for winter melons, cucumbers, and bitter gourds.
Below is a clear guide so you can proceed confidently.

✅ 1. Winter Melons (冬瓜) — Must Use 7-Gallon Pots (38 × 39 cm)

✔ YES, your 38 cm × 39 cm (≈ 7 gallon) pots are suitable.

Winter melon is a very heavy, very large, deep-rooted vine. It must have:

≥ 7 gallons soil volume
Deep pot (30–40 cm)
Strong support (A-frame or trellis)

For best result:

1 pot = 1 winter melon plant only
Keep the pot at ground level (heavy fruits later)
Add extra calcium to avoid blossom end rot

❗NO, your 26.5 cm × 30 cm (5 gallon) pots are too small for winter melon

They will:

Grow weak vines
Produce tiny melons
Drop fruits due to lack of nutrients
Get root-bound

So winter melons should only go into the 7-gallon.

✅ 2. Yellow Cucumbers & Bitter Gourd — Perfect for 5-Gallon Pots (26.5 × 30 cm)

Your 26.5 cm × 30 cm (≈ 5 gallon) pots are ideal.

Suitable plants for 5 gallon:

Yellow cucumber (timun)
Japanese cucumber
Bitter gourd
Capsicum (optional)
Eggplant
Okra

Why suitable?

Cucumbers & bitter gourds grow huge vines, but roots are shallow
5 gallon = enough nutrition + space for 1 heavy vine

Important:

1 pot = 1 plant only
Provide strong trellis (1.5–2 m)

🌱 3. Timing — Yes, repot once you see tendrils

Once tendrils appear:

The plant is ready to climb
Roots need more room
Delaying transplant = stunted plant later

So your timing is perfect — move winter melon to 7-gallon, cucumbers to 5-gallon today.

📌 4. Quick summary of your pot usage

Pot Size	Volume	Use For	Notes
38 × 39 cm	~7 gal	Winter melon, pumpkin, watermelon	Only 1 plant per pot
26.5 × 30 cm	~5 gal	Cucumbers, bitter gourd, eggplant, okra	Good size
Square 26 cm	~4 gal	Herbs, basil, chilli
Round 25 × 16 cm	~3 gal	Cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, onions
Round 33 × 13 cm	~2 gal	Spinach, malabar spinach, kangkong
DWC boxes	—	Kangkong, lettuce, xiao bai cai	Very good
Hydro towers	—	Lettuce, herbs, kale baby

🎯 If you want, I can design:

✔ Full planting plan for #01 and #02
✔ What to plant in each pot
✔ Trellis layout for winter melon + cucumber + bitter gourd
✔ How to arrange your stands to maximise sun exposure
✔ Fertilizer schedule
✔ Watering schedule (soil + hydro)

Just say “yes, help me plan everything” or tell me which part to start with.

I put in all seeds, now all came out, but I only need one to two , do I dispose the rest ? or I can fried them and eat ?

You do NOT need to waste them — and yes, some seedlings can be eaten, but only certain types.
Here is the correct way to handle your extra seedlings:

✅ 1. Which seedlings are safe to eat?

You can safely eat seedlings from:

✔ Cucumbers

✔ Bitter gourd

✔ Winter melon

✔ Pumpkins

✔ Squash

✔ Melon family (瓜类)

These are all edible sprouts (like microgreens).
You can eat them raw or stir-fry lightly.

⚠ DO NOT eat seedlings from:

Tomatoes
Potatoes
Eggplants
Chilli / Pepper
Any Solanaceae (nightshade) family

These may contain solanine, not safe.

🍳 2. How to cook edible seedlings

Simple method:

🥘 Garlic-fry sprouts

Wash seedlings.
Heat oil, add garlic.
Toss seedlings in for 20–30 seconds.
Add pinch of salt.

Tastes similar to microgreens (清甜味).

🌱 3. If you don't want to eat: What to do with extra seedlings?

✔ A. Keep the strongest 1–2 seedlings

Choose the ones that are:

Tallest
Thickest stem
Largest leaves
No deformity

✔ B. Replant extras in small pots (if you want backup plants)

Sometimes the main plant may:

Break
Get pests
Stop growing

So having 1–2 backup seedlings is useful.

✔ C. Use others as compost

Pull them out and toss into your soil mix for nutrition.

⛔ 4. DO NOT keep many seedlings in one pot

If you keep all, they will:

Compete for nutrients
Become thin and weak
Produce no fruits

Especially cucumbers and melons — 1 pot = 1 plant only.

✔ Summary for your case

Keep 1–2 plants
The rest: eat or compost (瓜类 are safe to eat)
Do not let many seedlings grow in same pot

If you want, send me a photo of the seedlings and I can help you choose which ones are the strongest to keep.

great! I got it. I will keep the above in the blogger that we work together. tomorrow morning I will do the transplant. not sure how much soil I need to order.

Great! Before you order soil, let’s calculate exactly how many litres you need for all the pots you plan to use.

Below is a simple, accurate soil volume guide based on the pot sizes you listed.

🔢 1. Soil volume needed per pot (your pot sizes)

✅ 38 cm × 39 cm (≈ 7 gallon)

≈ 26–28 litres per pot

✅ 26.5 cm × 30 cm (≈ 5 gallon)

≈ 18–20 litres per pot

✅ Square 26 × 26 × 18 cm

≈ 9–10 litres per pot

✅ Round fat 25 × 16 cm

≈ 6–7 litres per pot

✅ Round flat 33 × 13 cm

≈ 8–9 litres per pot

DWC hydroponics

✔ No soil needed.

📦 2. How many pots you plan to fill soon?

From your plan:

Immediately (tomorrow morning):

Winter melon → 1 pot (7 gallon)
Old yellow cucumber → 1 pot (5 gallon)
Maybe 1–2 more if you keep backups.

If we assume:

1 winter melon → 28 L
2 cucumbers → 2 × 20 = 40 L

➡ Total for tomorrow = ~68 litres soil
(You should order 1 big 75L–100L bag)

📦 3. Total soil needed if you want enough for all pots

If someday you plan to use everything:

Large:

4 × 7-gallon → 4 × 28 = 112 L

Medium:

26 × 5-gallon → 26 × 20 = 520 L

Square:

10 × square pots → 10 × 10 = 100 L

Round fat (25×16):

20 × pots → 20 × 7 = 140 L

Round flat (33×13):

20 × pots → 20 × 9 = 180 L

Total full capacity:

112 + 520 + 100 + 140 + 180 = 1052 litres
≈ 1 cubic metre of soil
≈ 1 big bulk bag
(Only if you want to fill ALL pots — not necessary now)

⭐ My recommendation for you (realistic)

Because you want to “do slowly”:

✔ Order 100 litres first

Enough to:

Transplant winter melon
Transplant cucumbers
Start few leafy vegetables
Fill a few square pots
Do soil refreshing

After you test the soil quality and growth, then reorder more.

20251119 1300 pm.

I went to dig out from my store room, the left over from covid timing:

I found many new pots (not started using yet).

I shall use the following slowy,

📌

I have 4 units of round diameter 38 cm x height 39 cm, 7 gallon pots ( ? Liter ). they are suitable for heavy melons I think. one plant each, with some carrots on the top (maybe).

📌

I have 26 units of round diameter 26.5 cm x height 30 cm pots, 5 gallon pots ( ? Liter ).

📌

I should put them for cucumber and bitter gourd, one plant each. I have 10 sets of square 26 cm x 26 cm x Height 18 cm pots.

📌

I have 20 sets of round fat diameter 25 cm x Height 16 cm posts. these are good for big size like brocalli, cabbages.

📌

I have 20 sets of round fat diameter 33 cm x Height 13 cm posts.

I am using 9 of them to grow Malabar Spinach, (Basella Albay), using the stack-flower-stands, the seeds will drop to lower level and grow, slow until all 9 cells are filled up with Malabar Spinach, (Basella Albay) .

📌

I have another set of the similiar 9-cells-flower stands, and 2 more sets of straight cut flower stands.

📌

DWC - Basic Deep Water Culture (DWC)–style hydroponic setup, a “passive hydro box”.

2 square hydroponic plant boxes, about ≈30 × 30 × 20 cm (reserved for kang kong)

2 rectangular hydroponic plant boxes, about ≈44.5 cm × 20.50 cm × 18.5 cm

2 round shape hydroponic plant boxes, about ≈14.5 cm × 17 cm

2 tiers plant bed 70 cm x 140 cm.

--> upper level 3 units of baskets 70 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm

------> chye sim, kale, xiao bai cai.

--> Lower level 1 units of plant bed 40 cm x 140 cm x 15 cm

------> lower tiers good for gingers.

📌

#02 Hydroponic (no soil, so not mess up the place)

--> 80 cells Hydroponic towers

--> 64 cells Hydroponic towers

these two for all green leafty like lattuces, and whatever suitable.

Yes — your pot choices are correct and the sizing is very suitable for winter melons, cucumbers, and bitter gourds.
Below is a clear guide so you can proceed confidently.

✅ 1. Winter Melons (冬瓜) — Must Use 7-Gallon Pots (38 × 39 cm)

✔ YES, your 38 cm × 39 cm (≈ 7 gallon) pots are suitable.

Winter melon is a very heavy, very large, deep-rooted vine. It must have:

≥ 7 gallons soil volume
Deep pot (30–40 cm)
Strong support (A-frame or trellis)

For best result:

1 pot = 1 winter melon plant only
Keep the pot at ground level (heavy fruits later)
Add extra calcium to avoid blossom end rot

❗NO, your 26.5 cm × 30 cm (5 gallon) pots are too small for winter melon

They will:

Grow weak vines
Produce tiny melons
Drop fruits due to lack of nutrients
Get root-bound

So winter melons should only go into the 7-gallon.

✅ 2. Yellow Cucumbers & Bitter Gourd — Perfect for 5-Gallon Pots (26.5 × 30 cm)

Your 26.5 cm × 30 cm (≈ 5 gallon) pots are ideal.

Suitable plants for 5 gallon:

Yellow cucumber (timun)
Japanese cucumber
Bitter gourd
Capsicum (optional)
Eggplant
Okra

Why suitable?

Cucumbers & bitter gourds grow huge vines, but roots are shallow
5 gallon = enough nutrition + space for 1 heavy vine

Important:

1 pot = 1 plant only
Provide strong trellis (1.5–2 m)

🌱 3. Timing — Yes, repot once you see tendrils

Once tendrils appear:

The plant is ready to climb
Roots need more room
Delaying transplant = stunted plant later

So your timing is perfect — move winter melon to 7-gallon, cucumbers to 5-gallon today.

📌 4. Quick summary of your pot usage

Pot Size	Volume	Use For	Notes
38 × 39 cm	~7 gal	Winter melon, pumpkin, watermelon	Only 1 plant per pot
26.5 × 30 cm	~5 gal	Cucumbers, bitter gourd, eggplant, okra	Good size
Square 26 cm	~4 gal	Herbs, basil, chilli
Round 25 × 16 cm	~3 gal	Cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, onions
Round 33 × 13 cm	~2 gal	Spinach, malabar spinach, kangkong
DWC boxes	—	Kangkong, lettuce, xiao bai cai	Very good
Hydro towers	—	Lettuce, herbs, kale baby

🎯 If you want, I can design:

Just say “yes, help me plan everything” or tell me which part to start with.

I put in all seeds, now all came out, but I only need one to two , do I dispose the rest ? or I can fried them and eat ?

You do NOT need to waste them — and yes, some seedlings can be eaten, but only certain types.
Here is the correct way to handle your extra seedlings:

✅ 1. Which seedlings are safe to eat?

You can safely eat seedlings from:

✔ Cucumbers

✔ Bitter gourd

✔ Winter melon

✔ Pumpkins

✔ Squash

✔ Melon family (瓜类)

These are all edible sprouts (like microgreens).
You can eat them raw or stir-fry lightly.

⚠ DO NOT eat seedlings from:

Tomatoes
Potatoes
Eggplants
Chilli / Pepper
Any Solanaceae (nightshade) family

These may contain solanine, not safe.

🍳 2. How to cook edible seedlings

Simple method:

🥘 Garlic-fry sprouts

Wash seedlings.
Heat oil, add garlic.
Toss seedlings in for 20–30 seconds.
Add pinch of salt.

Tastes similar to microgreens (清甜味).

🌱 3. If you don't want to eat: What to do with extra seedlings?

✔ A. Keep the strongest 1–2 seedlings

Choose the ones that are:

Tallest
Thickest stem
Largest leaves
No deformity

✔ B. Replant extras in small pots (if you want backup plants)

Sometimes the main plant may:

Break
Get pests
Stop growing

So having 1–2 backup seedlings is useful.

✔ C. Use others as compost

Pull them out and toss into your soil mix for nutrition.

⛔ 4. DO NOT keep many seedlings in one pot

If you keep all, they will:

Compete for nutrients
Become thin and weak
Produce no fruits

Especially cucumbers and melons — 1 pot = 1 plant only.

✔ Summary for your case

Keep 1–2 plants
The rest: eat or compost (瓜类 are safe to eat)
Do not let many seedlings grow in same pot

If you want, send me a photo of the seedlings and I can help you choose which ones are the strongest to keep.

great! I got it. I will keep the above in the blogger that we work together. tomorrow morning I will do the transplant. not sure how much soil I need to order.

Great! Before you order soil, let’s calculate exactly how many litres you need for all the pots you plan to use.

Below is a simple, accurate soil volume guide based on the pot sizes you listed.

🔢 1. Soil volume needed per pot (your pot sizes)

✅ 38 cm × 39 cm (≈ 7 gallon)

≈ 26–28 litres per pot

✅ 26.5 cm × 30 cm (≈ 5 gallon)

≈ 18–20 litres per pot

✅ Square 26 × 26 × 18 cm

≈ 9–10 litres per pot

✅ Round fat 25 × 16 cm

≈ 6–7 litres per pot

✅ Round flat 33 × 13 cm

≈ 8–9 litres per pot

DWC hydroponics

✔ No soil needed.

📦 2. How many pots you plan to fill soon?

From your plan:

Immediately (tomorrow morning):

Winter melon → 1 pot (7 gallon)
Old yellow cucumber → 1 pot (5 gallon)
Maybe 1–2 more if you keep backups.

If we assume:

1 winter melon → 28 L
2 cucumbers → 2 × 20 = 40 L

➡ Total for tomorrow = ~68 litres soil
(You should order 1 big 75L–100L bag)

📦 3. Total soil needed if you want enough for all pots

If someday you plan to use everything:

Large:

4 × 7-gallon → 4 × 28 = 112 L

Medium:

26 × 5-gallon → 26 × 20 = 520 L

Square:

10 × square pots → 10 × 10 = 100 L

Round fat (25×16):

20 × pots → 20 × 7 = 140 L

Round flat (33×13):

20 × pots → 20 × 9 = 180 L

Total full capacity:

112 + 520 + 100 + 140 + 180 = 1052 litres
≈ 1 cubic metre of soil
≈ 1 big bulk bag
(Only if you want to fill ALL pots — not necessary now)

⭐ My recommendation for you (realistic)

Because you want to “do slowly”:

✔ Order 100 litres first

Enough to:

Transplant winter melon
Transplant cucumbers
Start few leafy vegetables
Fill a few square pots
Do soil refreshing

After you test the soil quality and growth, then reorder more.

📌 If you want,

tell me which pots you want to fill this week, and I will calculate the exact litres so you don’t overspend.

Or send a photo of all your empty pots, and I help you plan step-by-step filling order.

available online there are "approved mixed soil" ? this type no need to mix ?

Yes — “Approved Mixed Soil” (usually from online sellers in Singapore) is a ready-to-use, fully mixed growing medium.
You do NOT need to mix anything unless you want to adjust for special plants.

Let me explain clearly so you buy the correct one:

🌱 What is “Approved Mixed Soil”?

In Singapore, this usually means:

✔ Safe for edible plants

✔ Pre-mixed with compost + peat + sand

✔ PAS 100 or NEA-approved compost sources

✔ No raw manure

✔ No need to sterilize

✔ Good drainage

This soil is almost always a blend of:

40–60% cocopeat
20–30% compost
10–20% sand/perlite
Trace minerals

🟢 When is Approved Mixed Soil good enough?

For these plants, just use straight from the bag:

✔ Cucumbers

✔ Bitter gourd

✔ Winter melon

✔ Pumpkins

✔ Tomatoes

✔ Brinjal

✔ Capsicum

✔ Eggplants

✔ Herbs

✔ Lettuce (soil only version)

✔ Broccoli / cabbage

✔ Spinach (amaranth, bayam)

No mixing needed.
Just fill pot → transplant → water.

🔵 When do you need to modify or enrich it?

1. Very heavy feeders (big fruits)

Winter melon
Pumpkin
Watermelon
Tomato beefsteak
→ Add 10–20% cow manure compost OR chicken manure pellets

2. Root crops

Carrot
Radish
Ginger
→ Add 20% coarse sand to loosen soil

3. Plants staying > 1 year

Grapes
Fruit trees
→ Add 10–20% garden soil to increase weight and long-term stability

But for all your potted vegetables, approved mixed soil is perfect.

⭐ Recommendation for you

You are planting mostly cucumbers + bitter gourd + winter melon.

Therefore:

✔ Buy Approved Mixed Soil

✔ No need to mix

✔ Add only a handful of organic fertiliser monthly (pellets)

Your life will be very easy.

💧 IMPORTANT:

Because Singapore rains heavily, choose:

✔ “Approved Mixed Soil – Well Drained”

Not the “high water retention” type
Big melon plants hate soggy soil.

🌱 If you want, send me the product link and I help you verify whether it’s good quality.

their packaging looks like construction side using soil for cement ?

Yes, the packaging can look like construction material bags, but that is normal. Let me explain so you feel安心:

🌱 Why “Approved Mixed Soil” Looks Like Cement Bags

In Singapore, the bags for landscaping soil often look like this:

Brown or grey industrial-looking bags
Thick plastic or woven PP (polypropylene) bags
No pretty garden pictures

Because they are supplied for landscaping contractors, not home gardeners.
But the soil inside is usually good quality.

🌱 What Is Inside “Approved Mixed Soil”?

Usually a blend of:

Compost
Loam soil
Sand
Sometimes cocopeat

It’s “approved” because it meets NEA/NParks landscaping specs.

🌱 Is It Good for Vegetables?

YES — but depends on the brand.

Most “approved mix” is:

Good drainage
Good aeration
Quite nutritious
Ready to use — no need to mix if you grow leafy vegetables

But:

If you grow fruiting plants (tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant),
you may need to add fertiliser after 2–3 weeks.
If the mix is very sandy, you add 10–20% compost.

🌱 How to Check if Yours Is OK

Open the bag and look:

👍 Good soil:

Dark brown / black
Crumbly
Smells earthy
No foul smell
Not too sandy
Has small wood chips (okay)

❌ Soil that looks like “construction sand”:

Yellow or grey
Mostly sand
Hard when dry
Water flows through too fast

If it’s this type, then don’t use for vegetables without mixing.

🌱 If You Want, Upload a Photo

If you show me the packaging or soil, I can tell you exactly:

Suitable or not
Whether you need to mix
How much soil to order for each pot

If you want, you tell me the pot sizes (diameter + height),
I help you calculate exactly how many litres or bags you need.

and, this "approved soil mix 3:2:1" is good for all kinds of plants we discussed ? standard ?

Yes — “Approved Soil Mix 3:2:1” is a standard, all-purpose soil mix and is suitable for almost all the plants we discussed.

Let me explain clearly:

🌱 What “3:2:1 Soil Mix” Means

Typical formula:

3 parts topsoil / loam

Provides body, minerals, and structure.

2 parts compost

Provides nutrients and organic matter.

1 part sand

Improves drainage so roots don’t rot.

This ratio is a classic landscaping soil mix used throughout Singapore.

🌱 Is It Good for Your Plants?

✔ Leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach, chye sim, cai xin)

Very suitable. Good drainage + good nutrients.

✔ Herbs (basil, mint, thai basil, rosemary)

Suitable. Herbs like well-drained soil.

✔ Fruit vegetables (tomato, capsicum, chilli, eggplant)

Good base, but after 2–3 weeks you need:

Additional fertiliser (NPK 4-6-8 or 5-5-5)
Occasional calcium (to prevent blossom-end rot for tomatoes)

✔ Root vegetables (radish, carrot)

Okay, but for perfect straight roots:

Add more sand (extra 10–15%)
Loosen deeper layer

✔ Fruiting vines (cucumber, bitter gourd, pumpkin)

Suitable, but they are heavy feeders —
use extra compost later.

✔ Shrubs / flowers

Also suitable.

🌱 Summary:

YES — 3:2:1 mixed soil is a standard, all-purpose soil for most gardening use.

Good for beginners
Good drainage
Not too dense
Nutrient-rich
No mixing required

If you buy from a recognised supplier, it’s usually very consistent.

🌱 Want Me to Calculate How Much You Need?

Tell me:

Pot diameter
Pot height
How many pots

I will calculate exactly how many litres or bags of soil you need for tomorrow’s transplant.

they seel by one sack, smallest sack 600 L anyway. so maybe try this ? Approved Soil Mix 3:2:1 (0.6m3) X 1 Jumbo bags $200.00

Yes — one 0.6 m³ (600-litre) Jumbo Bag of Approved Soil Mix 3:2:1 for $200 is a very good choice for your setup.

Let me explain clearly so you feel confident:

✅ Is 600 L too much or just right?

You are transplanting:

winter melon (big pot 38×39 cm ≈ 7 gallon ≈ 26 L each)
cucumbers (26.5×30 cm ≈ 5 gallon ≈ 19 L each)
many other leafy vegetables, herbs, capsicum, tomatoes, etc.

You also said earlier:

You have 26 pcs of 5-gallon pots
Several 7-gallon pots
Many hydroponic → soil transplants
Expansion of gardening is continuous

✔ So 600 L will definitely not go to waste.

A rough guide:

1 × 7-gallon pot = ~26 L
1 × 5-gallon pot = ~19 L

With 600 L you can fill approximately:

23 × 7-gallon pots, or
31 × 5-gallon pots, or
a mix of everything

Given how many plants you're growing, 600 L is reasonable.

🪴 Quality is more important than bag size

“Approved 3:2:1 soil mix” from a landscaping supplier is:

✔ consistent

✔ balanced

✔ safe for all edible plants

✔ no need to mix

✔ good drainage + good nutrition

This means:

You won’t get hard clay
You won’t get pests from compost piles
You won’t need to add 3–4 types of soil

You can literally scoop and use.

💵 Is $200 reasonable for 0.6m³?

In Singapore:

1 cubic metre 3:2:1 mix ≈ $260–$350
So 0.6 m³ = ~$156–$210

→ Your price $200 is correct and normal.

🌱 My Recommendation

YES, buy the 600-litre jumbo bag.

It will support all your pot expansions, future upgrades, and top-ups for the next 6–12 months.

If you want, I can also help you calculate how many pots you can fill exactly based on your pot sizes.

if I buy from green spade that type, one sack is 40 L , S$82.90 for six pack x 40 L. (free 1 compost) this type I need to mix by myself.

Here is the clear, honest comparison so you can decide confidently:

🥇 Option A — 3:2:1 Approved Soil Mix (600 L, $200)

✔ Ready to use

✔ No need to add anything

✔ Same standard used for landscaping & edible plants

✔ Good drainage, good aeration

✔ Suitable for ALL your big-pot crops (melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, capsicum, papaya seedlings, herbs, leafy greens etc.)

Cost per litre:
$200 / 600 L = $0.33 per litre

Labour:
Very easy — just scoop and fill pots.

🥈 Option B — Green Spade 40 L bags (6 × 40 L = 240 L)

Price: $82.90 for 240 L
( + 1 free compost bag ≈ 5–10 L)

✔ Very clean, high-quality

✔ Good for flowers, herbs, indoor plants

❗ NOT balanced for large fruiting vegetables unless YOU mix

❗ You must add:

perlite
compost
maybe chicken manure or organic fertiliser
sometimes sand (for melons/cucumber drainage)

Cost per litre:
$82.90 / 240 L = $0.35 per litre
(Actually slightly more expensive than the jumbo bag)

Labour:
You must manually mix 3–4 ingredients each time.

🌱 Which is better for your current gardening plan?

Because you are planting:

winter melon
cucumbers
yellow cucumbers
tomatoes
capsicum (3 colours)
large leafy vegetables
strawberry towers
ginger bed
Malabar spinach stacks
many, many pots

👉 You need a LOT of soil, fast, and consistent in quality.

So the best choice is:

✅ Buy the 600 L 3:2:1 Approved Soil Mix

Reasons:

MORE soil for LESS money
ZERO mixing required
Suitable for all vegetables and fruiting plants
Fills your 7-gallon and 5-gallon pots easily
Same mix used in farms and landscaping companies

You will save MANY hours of mixing soil.

📌 When is Green Spade better?

If you only grow:

indoor plants
herbs
small decorative flowers

But for vegetable farming like you are doing → 3:2:1 mix is the ideal base.

If you want, I can help you calculate exactly how many pots you can fill with 600 L based on all your pot sizes.

yes,

Great! Here is the exact pot-filling calculation using your pot sizes, so you know whether 1 jumbo 600 L is enough — or if you need 2.

📦 Your Pot Sizes & Soil Needed

1️⃣ Round 38 cm × 39 cm — “7-gallon pots”

Approx soil per pot: ~28–30 L
You have: 4 pots
→ 4 × 30 L = 120 L

2️⃣ Round 26.5 cm × 30 cm — “5-gallon pots”

Approx soil per pot: ~18–20 L
You have: 26 pots
→ 26 × 20 L = 520 L
(You won’t fill all at once, but this is total capacity)

3️⃣ Square 26 × 26 × 18 cm pots

Volume ≈ 12 L
You have 10
→ 10 × 12 = 120 L

4️⃣ Round 25 cm × 16 cm pots

Volume ≈ 7–8 L
You have 20
→ 20 × 8 = 160 L

5️⃣ Round 33 cm × 13 cm pots

Volume ≈ 10–11 L
You have 20 (but 9 currently used by Malabar spinach)
→ full set = 20 × 11 = 220 L

6️⃣ 2-tier soil bed (70 cm × 140 cm)

Upper 3 trays 70×20×20 ≈ 28 L each
→ 3 × 28 = 84 L
Lower bed 140×40×20 ≈ 112 L
→ 112 L
Total for 2-tier: 196 L

📊 Total Soil You Own Pots Can Take

If you fill EVERYTHING:

120 + 520 + 120 + 160 + 220 + 196 =
≈ 1,336 L of soil

🧮 What you actually need now (practical use)

You are NOT filling all 26 medium pots + all 20 small pots at the same time.

Near-term usage (realistic for this month):

4 × big melons pots → 120 L
6–8 × cucumber/bitter gourd pots → 160 L
10 × leafy veg pots → 80–100 L
2-tier bed → 196 L

→ Estimated real near-term need: 480–550 L

🏁 Conclusion: How many 600-L jumbo bags?

👉 One 600 L jumbo bag is enough

for your current planting plan (melons, cucumbers, winter melon, leafy veg, ginger).
You will still have ~50–100 L spare.

❗ If later you want to fill ALL pots (all 26 medium + all 20 small):

→ You will need two 600 L jumbo bags.

✅ Recommendation

For your current phase:

Buy 1 × 600 L Approved Soil Mix ($200).

Later if you expand fully to ALL pots → then buy bag #2.

Summary

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🌿Next Topic NEW EMPTY TABLE FLEXI COLUMN WIDTH

How much soil do I need for each plant
one plant per pot	Volume	Minimum Width	Minimum Height	Soil Requirements	Sunlight
Pumpkins	15 to 25 gallons 57 - 95 liters	18 inches 46 cm	12 inches 30 cm	SOIL rich, Composted potting mix, well-draining, pumice, perlite, sand. Complete Fertilizer, plenty of organic matter before planting. WATER keep soil moist, not water logged.	SUNLIGHT minimum 6 hours direct sunlight per day

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Kitchen at Home

MY GARDEN

Potting Sizes Stock Take - planning for the farming with chatGPT.

🌱 1. Summary of All Your Pots & Best Matching Crops

🟩 A. 38 cm × 39 cm round (≈ 7 gallon) — 4 pots

🟩 B. 26.5 cm × 30 cm round (≈ 5 gallon) — 26 pots

🟩 C. 26 cm × 26 cm × 18 cm square — 10 pots

🟩 D. 25 cm × 16 cm round fat — 20 pots

🟩 E. 33 cm × 13 cm shallow round — 20 pots (9 used for Malabar Spinach)

🟩 F. 2-tier bed (70 × 140 cm)

Upper: three 70 × 20 cm trays

Lower: 40 × 140 cm

🌿 2. Hydroponic Systems (#02)

Towers: 80 + 64 cells

DWC boxes

(Square 30 × 30 × 20 cm — 2 sets)

(Rectangle 44.5 × 20.5 × 18.5 cm — 2 sets)

(Round hydro box 14.5 × 17 cm — 2 sets)

📌 3. The exact combination you should plant

🏡 #01 Ground (Trellis Plants)

🌿 #01 Vertical Wall (semi shade)

🏡 #02 Terrace (Hydro towers)

🥒🍇🍈 4. Summary Table

You said:

ChatGPT said:

✅ 1. Winter Melons (冬瓜) — Must Use 7-Gallon Pots (38 × 39 cm)

✔ YES, your 38 cm × 39 cm (≈ 7 gallon) pots are suitable.

❗NO, your 26.5 cm × 30 cm (5 gallon) pots are too small for winter melon

✅ 2. Yellow Cucumbers & Bitter Gourd — Perfect for 5-Gallon Pots (26.5 × 30 cm)

Suitable plants for 5 gallon:

Why suitable?

🌱 3. Timing — Yes, repot once you see tendrils

📌 4. Quick summary of your pot usage

🎯 If you want, I can design:

You said:

ChatGPT said:

✅ 1. Which seedlings are safe to eat?

✔ Cucumbers

✔ Bitter gourd

✔ Winter melon

✔ Pumpkins

✔ Squash

✔ Melon family (瓜类)

⚠ DO NOT eat seedlings from:

🍳 2. How to cook edible seedlings

🥘 Garlic-fry sprouts

🌱 3. If you don't want to eat: What to do with extra seedlings?

✔ A. Keep the strongest 1–2 seedlings

✔ B. Replant extras in small pots (if you want backup plants)

✔ C. Use others as compost

⛔ 4. DO NOT keep many seedlings in one pot

✔ Summary for your case

You said:

ChatGPT said:

🔢 1. Soil volume needed per pot (your pot sizes)

✅ 38 cm × 39 cm (≈ 7 gallon)

✅ 26.5 cm × 30 cm (≈ 5 gallon)

✅ Square 26 × 26 × 18 cm

✅ Round fat 25 × 16 cm

✅ Round flat 33 × 13 cm

DWC hydroponics

📦 2. How many pots you plan to fill soon?

Immediately (tomorrow morning):

If we assume:

📦 3. Total soil needed if you want enough for all pots

Large:

Medium:

Square:

Round fat (25×16):

Round flat (33×13):

Total full capacity:

⭐ My recommendation for you (realistic)

✔ Order 100 litres first

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