Knowledgebase

Error in Borax per 1000 ft formula #870859

Asked May 30, 2024, 8:04 PM EDT

Good Day, I believe I found an error in borax formula for how much to apply to 1000 sq ft, at the following link - https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/why_does_boron_show_up_on_my_soil_test_report. I mad two attempts to correct my boron in my blueberry batch about 75 plants and it declined. The report states 4 teaspoons per 1000 sq ft. When calculated based on the 9 lbs per acre mentioned I came up with 31.7 teaspoons or 3.2 table spoons. Please double check my math, I arrived at it doing the following: 1. Weighed 1 cup of borax = 5 oz 2. 1lb = 3.2 cups 3. 1 acre would get 28.8 cups for 9 lbs. (9*3.2) 4. 1 acre would get 144 oz (9*16) 5. 1000 sq ft / 43560 = .022957 ratio 6. 0.022957 * 144 oz = 3.305785 oz per 1000 sq ft 7. 16 tbls to a cup / 5 oz of borax per cup = 3.2 tbls/oz 8. 3.2 tbls / oz of borax * 3.305785 oz of borax per 1000 sq ft = 10.57851 tbls or 31.73554 teaspoons 9. for a doube check 28.8 cups for 9 lbs = 460.8 tbls 10 460.8 tbls * 0.022957 = 10.57851 tbls or 31.73554 teaspoons Let me know your thoughts, I found the report last year. When I was quesitoning the numbers today, I saw it referenced in a forum. Guess I am not the only one that tried to following it.

Cass County Michigan

Expert Response

Hi Don,

This is a good question. I wanted to make sure that I gave you a correct answer so I contacted our Soil Fertility Specialist, Dr. Kurt Steinke. The disparity in the amounts is due to the difference in weight of the borox product. His response is: 

"I don’t have borax on me so cannot weigh out to get the density. However, if I calculate some numbers out it appears that 0.21 pounds of Borax would be required to treat 1,000 square feet. This 0.21 pounds is equivalent to about 3.4 ounces or 0.68 cups etc. The number of teaspoons etc will depend on density as sugar, borax, brown sugar etc all have different densities hence differing quantities to get to a pound so you can't use generalized figures from the internet for teaspoons in a pound etc.

Big point to remember is that 9.1 pounds of actual Borax will provide 1 actual pound of Boron"


Christina Curell Replied May 31, 2024, 2:50 PM EDT

Loading ...