Input hole clogged

[llatwood]

Hi everyone! So, I did something stupid. My tomato leaves looked like they might have a deficiency that dolomite would help. So I poured some powder (the crushed kind that's several dollars for a heavy bag, not the pellets) down the hole. Now I'm thinking it turned to a layer of cement or something, because when I pour water in the hole, it doesn't drain down, and there's no water coming out the overflow hole. Some remnants of a mosquito dunk also flow up. I've tried poking around with a long stick, but that doesn't help. My next thought would be to add something acidic to react with and dissolve the dolomite, but that could really mess up the plants. The box has two tomatoes (about 4 feet tall each) plus a little basil plant and marigold in the middle, so I don't want to unpack and redo the whole thing if I can help it. Any advice?

[Beau in Austin]

Can you break the clog with a long screwdriver or coat hanger? If you can break it up some/most might flush out of the drain hole next time you water

I've read here that the recommended calcium nitrate 'snack' is just a teaspoon down the tube every 7 - 10 days

[linear249]

I think beau is right.  You might be able to raise the tube a little while you're trying to break up the clog.  In the meantime you can water at the base of the plants until you break up the clog.

Aline

[gardendoc]

Raise the tube a little and shoot a blast of water into the tube should break up any clog. This is a tried and method for me and my 136 EarthBoxes