Is my soil still good?

Okay guys, so I mixed up too much soil 5 weeks ago with dr. Earth. My question is, will it still be good? It's been moist since I mixed it so I'm sure the soil is still alive. Would the soil become too hot? I've heard of over cooking soil and I don't want to use it if that is the case.

I use Dr.Earth, idk your ratios/recipe but 5 weeks with nothing drawing on nutes besides micro organisms and no rain to wash out id say its fine to go with. If anything youd just have to topdress earlier than normal for that lot of soil mix

mudballs said:

I use Dr.Earth, idk your ratios/recipe but 5 weeks with nothing drawing on nutes besides micro organisms and no rain to wash out id say its fine to go with. If anything youd just have to topdress earlier than normal for that lot of soil mix

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I mixed 1 1/2 cups 4-4-4 & 5 cups EWC per 1.5 cu. Ft. Bag of FFOF. It's been damp enough to clump up when I grab a handful. Also kept it in a sealed tote. Thanks for the help!

I don’t think you “over cooked it” in 5 weeks. I’m sure you’re fine. The only way it would be too hot is if you added too much 4-4-4

lazypothead420 said:

I mixed 1 1/2 cups 4-4-4 & 5 cups EWC per 1.5 cu. Ft. Bag of FFOF. It's been damp enough to clump up when I grab a handful. Also kept it in a sealed tote. Thanks for the help!

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I go through a LOT of soil, it sits a long time sometimes. The only time i would even start to worry is like after 4months of non use.

The comment about a "sealed tote" made me think about if it went anaerobic on you but there's easy enough fixes for that.

I've had a couple trashcans that sat with an overly hot mix for years now (it was too hot, didn't use at that time). Wonder what a soil test will look like when I do decide to try and make use of it. The plan was to eventually use it somewhere I could massively dilute it.

Many microbes are capable of living dormant for quite a while. Just keep watering and turning it until you pot it and you'll be fine. Even if you don't use it for a few months, its not the end of the world. You won't have the same soil web if it goes dry, but it won't be totally dead and barren if it gets too dry.

kratos015 said:

Many microbes are capable of living dormant for quite a while. Just keep watering and turning it until you pot it and you'll be fine. Even if you don't use it for a few months, its not the end of the world. You won't have the same soil web if it goes dry, but it won't be totally dead and barren if it gets too dry.

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Thanks! I'm gonna use it on my new clones in a week or so. I'll mix it up and water it some until I use it.

lazypothead420 said:

Okay guys, so I mixed up too much soil 5 weeks ago with dr. Earth. My question is, will it still be good? It's been moist since I mixed it so I'm sure the soil is still alive. Would the soil become too hot? I've heard of over cooking soil and I don't want to use it if that is the case.

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I wouldn't worry........those bails of potting mix and supplements at garden centers bask in the sun and foul weather for eons ( I instinctively would not do that )I've always noticed, the bags of mixes with living organisms, fungi and such seem to always have small holes scattered around for the necessary air exchage exchange, and minimal moisture loss. Just what I think........great inquiry........that substrate is " where it's at " . Growing mediums are just like deodorant........everybody likes something different.