My soil sucks.

Last year, I used Pro-Mix potting soil and it did wonderful. I loved how fluffy it was and drainage was great. Seemed like an all-around good soil.
This year, I buy the same stuff in the same bag and it's full of fucking pressboard and sticks.
I would go with Fox Farm or Black Gold, but we don't have any of those "hydro shops" around here. So my question is: Is there a site to buy such items with little or no shipping costs? I'm pretty sure the postage on the amount of soil I need is going to put a dent in my wallet.
I could go back and purchase some better soil at my local garden store, but they only carry some off-brands and MG soils. I'd try the MG soils, but they're preferted, and I prefer soilless mixes so I can mix my own amount of ferts.
So... any garden stores with low shipping costs on soils and bulk ferts?

 

If I were you I would go to a local Walmart and get some Miracle Grow Moisture Control potting mix. That stuff works great on all my plants and is light and fluffy (as long as you water it gently). You will find a few small pieces of mulch in the mix.


If you really want to shop online, check out Amazon. They offer free shipping on many items. Otherwise the shipping cost is too high to make it worth while.

 

I really want to stay away from anything MG. If I can't have a good pure organic soil, then I might as well keep using this shit.

 

My local Home Depot actually carries some nice 100% organic soil that works rather well. Other then that you can always mix your own soil. You can most definitely find all the ingredients at a local nursery, and you can find good recipes in the FAQ I believe.

 

Well I am using Mircle Grow Moisture Control Potting Soil I was wondering if that was a good soil. But I read here that it is. Is it better to create your own soil and add ur own nurts to it or what?

 

Miracle Grow has enough nutrients for a regular houseplant for 3 months. Since we are growing different plants, I plan to add nutrients when the veg phase is complete.


I purchased Miracle Grow Rose Food which has something like 18-19-17 ratios, very close to those found in the popular plant foods listed on this site. I also add some Epson salt to the water every other week as most plant foods don't add enough Magnesium.


I've had good luck with MG so far, so I will stick with what works and is reasonably priced and easy to find. Many people will tell you not to use MG but I don't see any problems with it.

 

Miracle Grow makes a 100% Organic potting soil that i just picked up for my new veg room. As i have said before dont diss MG because it is likely all that you will be able to find in your area and it grows plants fine.


I looked into purchasing Fox Farms, because Ocean Forest has such an elite mix, but after doing my research i found that the closest place that sells FF is about a 2 hour drive both ways from me. I am going to drive up there and pick up like 12 bags in a couple of weeks, until then im going to start all of my seedlings in this Miracle Grow Organic that i picked up.Click here to find the closest retailer of FF products in your area.


If you want to purchase FFOF online click here, just keep in mind that shipping equals roughly $1 per pound and shipping can get expensive quickly. HOLY SHIT i just noticed that it is on sale though, niiiiiice. I have dropped about $2300 at that website in the last month, and i gotta say i have no regrets, they are top notch no doubt. However, UPS shippings IS a bitch

 

Actually its a little cheaper than $1/lbs i just used their shipping estimator to calculate the cost for 10 bags shipped, here were the results:


Current Cart Value: $149.50


Shipping Charge: $243.51


Total: $393.01


Shipping Method Shipping Charge


UPS Ground $243.51


USPS Priority Mail $547.15


UPS 3 Day Select $558.35


UPS 2nd Day Air $878.67


UPS 2nd Day Air Early A.M. $985.07


UPS Next Day Air Saver $1,122.27


UPS Next Day Air $1,215.79


UPS Next Day Air Early A.M. $1,534.99


hrmmm only $1535 to get it overnighted not bad........ ROFL


EDIT BTW i live about 2,000 miles from them, they are based in LA

 

I'm sure MG Moisture Control is good and all, but I'd really like to step up to a five-star soil.


Personally, if I can't get it, I know I'd rather make my own soil. I've got a concrete mixer, so the mixing isn't going to be that difficult.


40% Top Soil


10% Sand


20% Perlite


10% Worm Castings


10% Bat Guano


10% Composted manure


Sounds like a good mix to me. If it's too heavy or light on something, let me know. I'm going to use this mix relatively soon; in a few weeks, my clones will be ready.


My previous soils have been Pro-Mix red label supplemented with 25-30% castings. My ferting was really light... and with MG and Schultz products exclusively. I loved the results, and you can't beat the simplicity. But instead of spending my cash on the ferts, I'd rather spend the dough on a great soil and I'd not need such expensive fertilizer. I've recently invested in Alaska Fish Fert (5-1-1) for vegging and Alaska MorBloom (0-10-10) for flowering. Should I expect decent results using that soil and those two organic ferts exclusively?


Anyone else agree with this approach?

 

The one thing that your soil, and pretty much every soil sold in stores is lacking that FFOF has is PH balance (oyster shells). Maybe 30% topsoil and add 10% Lime or Oyster shells.

 

I Have Been Using The Alaska Fish Fert For Vegging.......Works Great Just Smells Awfull But The Alaska MorBloom Is Not Organic .......I Would Stay Away From That For Flowing My MJ Plants........But It Might Have Nice Results On Other House Plants

 

I always add a little less than one full cup of garden lime per 3.5 gallon container. The only thing I'm concerned about is the amount of topsoil. Could I add peat moss instead? I had a problem with topsoil getting crusty and not breaking up well in a past grow. Then again, I didn't add enough amendments.


I know I'm usually a smartass to some moron beginners, but bear with me; it's my first time mixing my own soil.

 

Good shit to know...


With this grow from the Misty clones I'll be taking, it will be my first attempt at going 100% organic. It just feels right, you know?


I'm even tossing around the idea of making a compost pile, like my granny had. This would be great for a vegging soil amendment (because compost is high in nitrogen), but is there a material that composts well to be flowering amendment? Or is a compost tea made from garden-variety paper and plant-waste good for flowering as well?

 

Ive Never Used Compost On MJ Plants.......I Prefer To Use Purchaced Soil Because I Grow Indors.......If I Brought Some Compost In From Outside I Would Be Bringing All Kinds Of Bugs In My Grow Room ........I Find That Bone Meal(Mixed In With The Soil) And Feeding With Budswell Durring Flowering Is Plenty

 

Well I'm not going to add it directly to my soil, I want to use it on my outside vegetable garden and if it's beneficial in a tea (with no bugs), I'll be using it on my smoke as well.


Everything in the soil is, of course, prescreened and purchased in bags.

 

I Would Deffiently Use It Outside On The Veggie Garder.......Compose Is Awsome.......If You Could Make A Tea That Works Well That Would Also Be Bennifecial.........Let Us Know How Things Go........I Would Say Go With It.......Even If Its Just For The Outdoor Plants

 

In the meantime...start a compost pile


That is if you have the space outside. I've been composting since '94 and I'm pretty pround of my dirt. All veggie scraps but not potato peels. I made the composter from a large Rubbermaid storage trunk. Drilled holes on side for venting.


I wet it down and turn it 2-3 times a week. I activate it by using homemade compost activator--half cup ammonia and one can of beer about every three weeks. Let it cook!!! I've got core temp readings running between 134-140 F. You want to maintain this temp range to destroy weed seeds (weed= crabfrass, clover, etc ) or plant pathogens.


Coffee grounds and egg shells do WONDERS to a compost. Instead of walking to the the stinky, rotting corner in my back yard I've chosen to create a mini Starbucks instead. Starbucks, which is less than 200ft from my house gives me all of their HazelNut coffe grounds every Tuesday. Free fuel and good fumes!


Jerry has my dream job:


http://www.jerrybaker.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=2

 

Indoor composting is possible as well.


http://store.yahoo.com/cleanairgardening/kitchen.html

 

Yup... granny always added coffee grounds and eggshells to the compost pile! What do you do about bugs in your compost pile? After it's fully composted will there be any bugs? Safe for my MJ inside?

 

Outdoor use only!


I do not recommend using soil from an outdoor compost pile for an indoor grow--NEVER! It will contaminate your indoor grow area.


Yes, you are correct. There are bugs and worms in this soil that I make out in my backyard, Seattle Java Stank Shop. These guys assist in the decomposition process. The holes I drill on the sides and bottom invite the little farmers.


My wife will not go near it due to the earth worms. LMAO...she's has a horrid fear of worms! LMFAO! I let them do their job first and my job of growing weed second.