NewGrower2011
Well-Known Member
While my other run is going, I decided I wanted a base soil mix that was easily repeatable. I.e. if you fuck up your mix and had to start over you want to know what that mix looks like test wise so if you use a consistent starting mix you don't have to pay for yet another test (though we know these inputs do have variances, we're at least as repeatable as the vendors).
Given what my local store carries, I've been using the NFTG #4 soil and then adding Bu's Compost and EWC (Wiggle Worm brand since very common/available).
The ratio was 2 bags (1.5/cf) of NFTG #4 soil, 1 bag of Bu's, 1 lrg bag of EWC. I split the NFTG across 4 tubs so 1/2 bag each. Then Bu's worked out to approx 1.5gal per tub to split it up. Same for the EWC, approx 1.5g per tub. Then I've added another 1.5g of perlite to the mix. Lightly watered and let it sit for a few / stirred a few times before taking the soil sample for the test.
Nothing else has been added to this mix; You can walk into the store and buy the same inputs and should be close to these same test results. Just sharing for anyone else's interests/benefit.
At a glance, The P/K are a little higher than expected, but I'm not sure about the ratios otherwise. P/K/Ca/Mg. 3.7:1 on Ca/Mg so not horrible there if I follow things correctly. pH isn't horrible either. The usual micro defs stand out as well but not entirely horrible. I do have Big6 on hand but I'll probably go very very light if any in watering in initially then use again sparingly in some foliar applications perhaps.Being sulfates it doesn't look like I need to add anymore - it's quite high already for a base mix. Not sure what contributed each thing here - the guru's can speak to that better than I can.
Given what my local store carries, I've been using the NFTG #4 soil and then adding Bu's Compost and EWC (Wiggle Worm brand since very common/available).
The ratio was 2 bags (1.5/cf) of NFTG #4 soil, 1 bag of Bu's, 1 lrg bag of EWC. I split the NFTG across 4 tubs so 1/2 bag each. Then Bu's worked out to approx 1.5gal per tub to split it up. Same for the EWC, approx 1.5g per tub. Then I've added another 1.5g of perlite to the mix. Lightly watered and let it sit for a few / stirred a few times before taking the soil sample for the test.
Nothing else has been added to this mix; You can walk into the store and buy the same inputs and should be close to these same test results. Just sharing for anyone else's interests/benefit.
At a glance, The P/K are a little higher than expected, but I'm not sure about the ratios otherwise. P/K/Ca/Mg. 3.7:1 on Ca/Mg so not horrible there if I follow things correctly. pH isn't horrible either. The usual micro defs stand out as well but not entirely horrible. I do have Big6 on hand but I'll probably go very very light if any in watering in initially then use again sparingly in some foliar applications perhaps.Being sulfates it doesn't look like I need to add anymore - it's quite high already for a base mix. Not sure what contributed each thing here - the guru's can speak to that better than I can.