Making Good Soil

olylifter420

olylifter420

Well-Known Member
Hello riu, hope you all are toking it up!!!


Hey here is a list of amendments i got for a soil mix i am going to make, i just need some specifics as to ratio numbers or quantity if you all don't mind?

here it is ,

earthwise organic compost(cow and chicken manure)
scotts premium top soil
safer brand diatomaceous earth
epsoma garden lime
ferti lome vermiculite
ferti lome charcoal
MG perlite

ANy help on how much to use from each for a 5 gallon pot?

thanks guys.
 
ClamDigger

ClamDigger

Active Member
1 part each,

earthwise organic compost(cow and chicken manure)
scotts premium top soil
MG perlite
ferti lome vermiculite

1 cup per 5 gal Dolomite Lime
i would go easy on the the Charcoal.
not sure about the diatomaceous earth... does it have directions?
sounds good
look into Happy Frog Fruit and Vegetable 7-4-5
good luck
 
canefan

canefan

Well-Known Member
I have started using carbon (charcoal, basically) for several cycles with my girls now, I have used it in my other plants around the farm for years. I also recycle my soils through the compost so the charcoal will last a long time in your soil if your recycles.
In answer to your question I have found my best results using about 1/2 gallon per 7 gallon mix. Sorry but you will have to do the math I have a mixing tub I use that holds 7 gallons. I think you will find also using the charcoal you will be able to do away with the diatomacious earth. Just grind up some of the charcoal finely or crush it up with a piece of concrete like I do and mix into the soil.
I moved to Costa Rica 5 years ago and having learning the wonders of carbon as the Ticos call it. You will find that it will lower your use of nutes as they are caught, so to speak by the carbon and then released to the plant instead of leaching away through your drain holes. I have found that horse and chicken manure smell to work the best with the charcoal and is a great combo (I will try and find the link if you like) for increasing the micro beasties in your soil.
Sorry I can't help much on the other part of your mix, I build all my soils from native soil, compost, manures, mixures of dried flower stems and such.
Good Luck on your grow
 
olylifter420

olylifter420

Well-Known Member
Thanks bro! Thats great info that has really helped a lot! I used an 18 gal tote, I was very precise at counting the cups I used, lol, yeah, cups! I really did the math and I hope my super soil works! I checked the ph and it is around 6.5 and I just put it in to cook out in the sun. How long should I leave it out for? I used vermiculite, do you think that is good?



canefan said:
I have started using carbon (charcoal, basically) for several cycles with my girls now, I have used it in my other plants around the farm for years. I also recycle my soils through the compost so the charcoal will last a long time in your soil if your recycles.
In answer to your question I have found my best results using about 1/2 gallon per 7 gallon mix. Sorry but you will have to do the math I have a mixing tub I use that holds 7 gallons. I think you will find also using the charcoal you will be able to do away with the diatomacious earth. Just grind up some of the charcoal finely or crush it up with a piece of concrete like I do and mix into the soil.
I moved to Costa Rica 5 years ago and having learning the wonders of carbon as the Ticos call it. You will find that it will lower your use of nutes as they are caught, so to speak by the carbon and then released to the plant instead of leaching away through your drain holes. I have found that horse and chicken manure smell to work the best with the charcoal and is a great combo (I will try and find the link if you like) for increasing the micro beasties in your soil.
Sorry I can't help much on the other part of your mix, I build all my soils from native soil, compost, manures, mixures of dried flower stems and such.
Good Luck on your grow
Click to expand...
 
canefan

canefan

Well-Known Member
I used the vermiculite when I had a small nursery, it does work fine. Over the course of years I have replaced those store bought things with the natural though. Using different plant parts, bird of paradise stems, chopped up banana stalk, yucca leaves cut up and things in place of the vermiculite. It is much more work but the worms in my soil are grateful for the extra groceries.
I know that these methods aren't for everyone and with so many people living in apartments and such have a hard time doing this stuff. However, I am fortunate to live in the country on a farm, so it is pretty much just managing my waste.
Any other questions you have please feel free to PM me, oh one last thing once your soil i set, you can give up your ph meter. I haven't checked my ph in many many years.

Good Luck and Happy Growing the Best Way
 
D

drebin2009

Member
Given that this is in the "organics" sections, be careful with the Miracle Grow perlite, it is "enhanced" with nutrients and I think that disqualifies it as actually being organic. I picked some up MG perlite once and didn't notice the small note on the front of the bag stating such, ended up not using it for the grow once I noticed that.
 
W

Wetdog

Well-Known Member
drebin2009 said:
Given that this is in the "organics" sections, be careful with the Miracle Grow perlite, it is "enhanced" with nutrients and I think that disqualifies it as actually being organic. I picked some up MG perlite once and didn't notice the small note on the front of the bag stating such, ended up not using it for the grow once I noticed that.
Click to expand...
^^^^^^That^^^^^^ and it is stupid expensive.

Check out the feed and seed places and try and source the 4cf bags of perlite. Or, building supply, as it is used as insulation as is vermiculite and rockwool.

Anyway, a 4cf bag around here is ~$17, 30 gallons worth. Compared to the small and expensive bags at Lowes or HD, it's a no brainer.

Wet
 
olylifter420

olylifter420

Well-Known Member
I have used mg perlite before and it works well. It is difficult to find perlite other then mg in my area, but I found a good nurseey with great supplies!

I did get 6lbs of worm castings and 8qts more of better qaulity perlite(ferti lome) is that enough for an 18 gallon tote?
 
D

drebin2009

Member
Wetdog is absolutely right it being expensive too. Yes....forgot to add that bit about the 4cf bags, found you can get it ordered from Ace Hardware. I wasn't thinking just how big a 4cf bag was (I have just 3 plants in 8 inch pots) and had them get me two bags! Well....I won't need to buy any for a loooooooooooooong time.



olylifter420,
IMHO I think that 6lbs of worm castings is good for 18 gallon tote worth of soil to start off with, might need some more along the way or some other source of nutrients. As for the perlite, my understanding is that you want a max of 50% perlite in your mix, so assuming the 18 gallon tote is full: 8qts perlite = 2 gallons of perlite...2 gal perlite / 18 gal total = 11% perlite. Might be a bit low if you have soil that tends to be dense like the stuff I ended up with. You are shooting for something that is pretty airy and don't pack the pots when you put the soil in, shake 'em to let the soil settle and that's about it.


But I'm just growing tomatoes, so what do I really know anyway?!!??!
 
W

whoiscasey

Member
I am having shit luck with getting any good soil where I live and I have no means to travel to places that sell the good soils and nutes. I was wondering if you guys think this mixture would work. It is pretty much all I have access to. I want to use a mixture that I can use from start to finish (while adding extra nutes when needed). My concern is getting a mixture that will be suitable for young seedlings.

1 part Miracle Grow Organic Potting Soil
1 part Organic Potting Soil (NO-NUTES)
1 part Miracle Grow Perlite
1 part Jiffy Mix (50/50 peat moss and vermeculite with lime)

From what I've read, this should make a decent soil, but I don't want to try it out without a second opinion.
 
olylifter420

olylifter420

Well-Known Member
That,looks good, check out dr.earth products on amazon, u get free shipping with their prime membership and those products contain great ingredients and mycorrhizae,
 
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