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,
planning for the farming with chatGPT.
😂 真的是 Christmas gifts 没错了，而且是 非常好的那种。
这一批泡沫箱，刚刚好把之前“容器混乱头痛”的问题一次性解决。
📦 Size 6
54 × 39 × H28 cm × 2
⭐ 这是最强的箱子之一：
适合：
冬瓜（1 株）
西瓜（1 株）
丝瓜（1 株）
或 大型 soil + hydro 实验箱
👉 建议：
至少 1 个留给 soil heavy瓜
另 1 个 → hydro 实验
✅ Size 5 用来种 mini pumpkin（南瓜贝贝）
📦 Size 5
45 × 32 × H22 cm（已有孔） × 3 个
👉 1 box = 1 mini pumpkin
👉 再加 1 株在 outside land
👉 Total = 4 株 mini pumpkin
👍 为什么这个决定很好？
宽度够（32 cm）→ 南瓜根系横向发展
高度 22 cm → 对 mini pumpkin 是 OK 的
已有孔 → 排水安全
泡沫箱 → 根部不容易过热（SG 很重要）
你把它们全部放在 #01，让藤一起爬上 canopy + winter melon：
✔ 分散重量
✔ 不压 #02 平台
✔ 利用 canopy 做 shade
✔ 藤混在一起 没问题（下面会说）
➡️ 这是一个成熟、有经验的布局决定。
🍈 关于「藤混在一起」——可以吗？
✅ 完全可以
Mini pumpkin + winter melon：
藤会混
叶会重叠
不影响结果
⚠️ 你只要注意 2 件事：
每一颗重果
→ 一定要：
拉到 金属架
用 果兜 / laundry net / 布吊床
❌ 不靠绿网承重
果数控制
Mini pumpkin：
👉 1–2 果 / 株（最多 2）
Winter melon：
👉 1–2 果
这样：
果会漂亮
植株不会累
架构安全
🎁 现在我们来“分配”你其余的泡沫箱（超好用）
📦 Size 4
53 × 24 × H26 cm × 2
很好用来：
黄瓜
丝瓜
长豆
红豆
或 2–3 株 okra
📦 Size 3
44 × 30 × H18 cm × 2
适合：
Beetroot
Radish
Carrot（短根）
Lettuce 群植
香菜（大量）
📦 Size 2
42 × 21 × H14 cm × 2
偏浅，用来：
香菜
葱
小白菜
Hydro 尝试箱（非常适合）
📦 Size 1
34 × 25 × H19 cm × 1
Seedling nursery
Coriander / lettuce
test box
💧 关于你说的重点：「如果不漏水 → hydro + cover」
👉 你这个想法 非常专业，而且：
✅ 泡沫箱 = 非常好的 hydro 容器
因为：
保温
不透光（不长藻）
轻
易改
你可以这样测试：
不打孔
装水
放 24 小时
不漏 → hydro OK
Hydro 适合这些箱子：
Size 2
Size 3
Size 4（低密度）
不太建议 hydro 的：
Mini pumpkin / winter melon（太大）
🧺 你提到的 旧 laundry net（拉链坏）
👉 超级有用：
用途：
重果兜（剪开就能用）
冬瓜 / 南瓜 / 西瓜吊床
通风好、不积水
这是 农民级资源，不是垃圾 😄
🌱 总结一句话（很重要）
你现在已经从：
「随便种、试试看」
升级到：
“有结构的实验型家庭农场”
你现在有：
正确空间分配
重量管理意识
Soil + hydro 双路线
藤类、重果、叶菜都各就各位
👉 接下来你会学到的是 “优化”，不是“能不能活”。
下一步我可以帮你做其中一个（你选）： 1️⃣ 泡沫箱 size × 作物 对照表（最终版）
2️⃣ Soil vs Hydro 用哪一类箱最适合
3️⃣ #01 / #02 / outside land 全布局图（文字版）
你只要说：要哪一个 🌱
Pots
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
Fabric Cloth plant bags
Approximate usable soil volume)
Styrofoam boxes
#
Size (cm)
Volume (Litres)
Suitable crops
1 34 × 25 × 19 = 16 L
Herbs, coriander, lettuce
2 42 × 21 × 14 = 12 L
Chilli, small greens
3 44 × 30 × 18 = 24 L
Brinjal, okra
4 53 × 24 × 26 = 33 L
Tomato, cucumber
5 45 × 32 × 22 = 32 L
Mini pumpkin ⭐
6 54 × 39 × 28 = 59 L
Winter melon, watermelon
📌 Anything 30 L and above can support fruiting vines
Boxes, containers, cloth plant bags
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
🌟 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
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.
You said:
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.
ChatGPT said:
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:
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:
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:
🌱 3. Timing — Yes, repot once you see tendrils
Once tendrils appear:
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.
You said:
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 ?
ChatGPT said:
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:
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
If you want, send me a photo of the seedlings and I can help you choose which ones are the strongest to keep.
You said:
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.
ChatGPT said:
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):
If we assume:
➡ 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:
Medium:
Square:
Round fat (25×16):
Round flat (33×13):
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:
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.
ChatGPT said:
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:
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:
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:
🌱 3. Timing — Yes, repot once you see tendrils
Once tendrils appear:
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.
You said:
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 ?
ChatGPT said:
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:
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
If you want, send me a photo of the seedlings and I can help you choose which ones are the strongest to keep.
You said:
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.
ChatGPT said:
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):
If we assume:
➡ 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:
Medium:
Square:
Round fat (25×16):
Round flat (33×13):
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:
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.
You said:
available online there are "approved mixed soil" ? this type no need to mix ?
ChatGPT said:
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:
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40–60% cocopeat
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20–30% compost
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10–20% sand/perlite
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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.
You said:
their packaging looks like construction side using soil for cement ?
ChatGPT said:
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:
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Brown or grey industrial-looking bags
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Thick plastic or woven PP (polypropylene) bags
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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:
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Compost
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Loam soil
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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:
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:
❌ Soil that looks like “construction sand”:
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:
If you want, you tell me the pot sizes (diameter + height),
I help you calculate exactly how many litres or bags you need.
You said:
and, this "approved soil mix 3:2:1" is good for all kinds of plants we discussed ? standard ?
ChatGPT said:
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:
✔ Root vegetables (radish, carrot)
Okay, but for perfect straight roots:
✔ 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.
You said:
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
ChatGPT said:
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:
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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
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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 can literally scoop and use.
💵 Is $200 reasonable for 0.6m³?
In Singapore:
→ 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.
You said:
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.
ChatGPT said:
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:
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.
You said:
ChatGPT said:
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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