GT\'s  low maintence organic soil mix

Well i spent a couple months on the web and reading botany books, plus reviewing other soil mixes to come up with my own. I'm seeking a rich soil mix that will require very little if any fertilizing. This mix will pretty much fill up a 49 gal rubbermaid. That should last some of us several grows. Due to the soil being so rich i would suggest composting used soil and adding 1/4-1/2 of each ingredient before using again.You might be able to get by with out adding anything....i don't know,haven't been there yet.

4 bags Scotts garden safe potting soil (4 cu feet) or 29.92 gal
6 cups Scotts Bone Meal - phosphorus source
5 cups glacial rock dust (3 tbsp per gal)
3-4 cups dolmite lime –calcium/ magnesium source & pH buffering
1.5 lbs Rare earth
4 cups kelp meal.
6 cups alfalfa meal
15lb bag pure worm castings:
½ bag of cow manure (20 lbs)
2 bags perlite (16 qt)


Alfalfa Meal
2.5-1-1
Alfalfa Meal is a reasonable alternative to blood meal as a source of nitrogen and is nicely balanced with phosphorous and potassium. It's carbohydrates and protein make it an excellent soil conditioner by encouraging microbial activity in the soil. One very important ingredient is tricontanol, a powerful plant growth regulator

Kelp Meal
1-1-2
Kelp contains over 60 minerals and elements, 21 amino acids, simple and complex carbohydrates, and several
Essential growth hormones (auxins, cytokines, and
Gibberellins)

Glacial rock dust

Glacial Rock Dust can: Increase phosphorus availability. Provide an excellent source of calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, plus trace elements and micronutrients. Increase moisture-holding properties in the soil. Improve the cation exchange capacity. Improve soil structure and drainage. Glacial Rock Dust helps restore the correct mineral balance in the soil. When the correct balance is achieved, organic matter is turned into humus and the soil becomes a favorable environment for a host of beneficial molds, fungi, bacteria and earthworms. When this happens, the living soil becomes a buffer to the many variables gardeners must contend with.

General Hydroponics Rare Earth

Derived from ancient seabed deposits of pyrophyllitic clay and blended with fulvate Ore, Rare Earth provides a slow release of Silicon, Humates and 72 rare earth minerals. Blend with rooting media. top-dress around plant stem or add directly to nutrient solutions. Rare Earth elements develop a crystal matrix within growing plant tissue, which protects the plant from heat stress and nutrient extremes by generating a protective Silicon shield. This also deters fungal disease and reduces susceptibility to insect damage by "hardening" the plant.
Rare Earth contains Pyrophyllitic Silicate Clay naturally derived from ancient seabed deposits of biologically transformed organic matter combined with Leonardite Humates.


Cow Manure
.6-.3-.3
Cow manure perhaps has the lowest of nutrients of all manures but it increases soil water retention and has a full range of trace minerals.

Dolomite lime
Dolomite Lime (Calcium magnesium carbonate) is an excellent pH stabilizer for soil. Contains calcium and magnesium. Slow acting.

Worm Castings
1-0-0
earthworm castings provide many of the essential nutrients needed for healthy plant life. Castings are a totally organic, all natural fertilizer. Odorless and non-toxic, worm castings will not burn even the most delicate plants. Castings offer a concentrated source of calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphates and potash in a form readily available to your plants. Major university research projects and testing has shown that the complete soil food biology found in worm castings will quickly control fungus problems. Within a few weeks plants suffering from fungus problems will show significant improvement that lasts. All ground fungus is quickly brought under control. Nitrogen is released in the fungus control process providing added plant growth.

Bone Meal
6-12-0
·All-natural phosphorous supplement to promote root and flower growth·Enriched with iron for stronger, greener plants·Controlled-release nitrogen extends each feeding for up to 2 months, with even a small amount feeding twice as many plants as other granular products.

After mixing you should let the mix sit for 2 weeks before using.

You can alter or substitute most anything depending on the grower. I would use scotts potting soil as it has a good amount of perlite already and a low amount of bark,stems,etc.

 

I'm interested to hear how it works for you GT.


It would be more cost effective to use soil in bulk like that, but how do you intend to store the 49 gallons of soil?

 

LOL, i mixed 1/2 in the 49 gal rubbermaid and mixed the other 1/2 in a kiddie pool. Then i put the 1/2 in the pool into the rubbermaid. Easier to mix that way. But to answer your question it sits in the sealed 49 gal rubbermaid in my shed. I'll probably pop the lid every couple of days to aerate it. This will probably last me 3 or so grows. I have a compost bin so used soil will be put in that as it is used and then it can be reused after a couple months.


I used a mushroom compost/potting soil mix during my last veg cycle and didn't have to fert all through veg. although i got fungas nats....which were taken care of quickly.


This whole batch cost about $60.00 to make. Considering you usually spend $40 just liquid veg and flower ferts. So far it seems economical. I still have some alfalfa meal,kelp meal, and glacial rock dust left over in case i need to make teas in the future.

 

No ferts...start to finish. Hmmmmmm....I am most curious here GT. It will be intewresting to see the results for sure.

 

yes i am very interested and will watching for your results good luck.

 

wow! good post and loaded wit info

 

Herb, i call it low maint organic soil. I'm sure i can make it through veg with no ferts but not sure about flowering....we'll have to see.

 

Im think it will make through Veg and Flowering as long as you have a rich soil with all the right nutrients.

 

GT that was great info, I have my own compost here on the farm and I am up to my knees in chicken **** and I toss in egg shells. My plants seem to love it but I never tried cow manure. Well yall been very informative!

 

Need any help on that farm Bailey? I'm a damn good handyman

 

QUOTE

I am up to my knees in chicken ****

......
gotta' scoop shovel 'spark'?.. hee hee

wait, now I'm trying to visualize those cutoffs, accesorized with knee high irrigatin' boots...LOL

(Edited by Hicountry2 at 5:15 am on July 8, 2004)

 

<---- Professional 'pooper scooper'

 

Your hired Darling! I like a man who can get dirty!

 

How about a dirty man that get's it?


Either way...I'll take the Job. Does it come with fringe benefits?

 

Why yes darling it does, ME!

 

Speechless ---->

 

     A man speechless??  Are you that shy darling??  

 

Nope Just had a momentary lapse of response is all.

 

      Mister Herb, sure we can fix that!  

 

So Gt how did this work out??


Have not heard an update and I have been wondering myself if it worked?


Any news is good news!


M R