Adding Alfalfa to Fox Farms

I am getting ready to prepare a soil mix for my grow, and would like to go organic. I will be using 2 parts Ocean Forrest to 1 part Light Warrior. I noticed that neither of these contained alfalfa, which I understand is very beneficial to growth, and I would like to utilize it. I do have the BMO 4-pack coming, and I believe one of those contains some alfalfa, but I would like to get some in the mix. I picked up a bag of alfalfa feed cubes, anyone have an idea how much I should add to this 4 sqf mix? Also, I feel pretty comfortable with the final product, but am open to suggestions about how I might top it off with any more additions, or supplements to go with the BMO.
Thanks!

crush it up, use roughly 3-4 cups. mix it like a week ahead of time, I added 12 tablespoons (3/4 cup) to my mix and it raised the soil teperuature about 15 deg. It gets hot as its breaks down

Decomposing green material can leach nitrates from the soil.

I would just stick with the pre-made stuff and adjust for the plant's needs. I'm a beginner though, working from books etc.

If you really want to use/add alfalfa, I would compost it separately and use it as a top covering, or maybe make a compost tea to fertilize with occasionally after it has produced a couple sets of real leaves. That store bought stuff is usually pretty good just the way it is.

Alfalfa is hot so I would compost with the soil for at least two weeks after adding alafalfa to your mix....and a month wouldn't hurt. If you want other great ideas -

neem and karanja cake - helps keep pests at bay and adds nitrogen
crab or shrimp meal - adds some NPK and chitin (which helps keep pests at bay)
kelp meal - If you are going to have a second addition, this should be it - K and trace minerals
greensand - adds K and trace minerals. Only add this if you are going to reuse your soil as it takes a very long time to breakdown.
feather meal - very slow source of N
glacial rock dust, azomite, food grade diatomaceous earth - minerals
fish bone meal - slow phosphorus
oyster shell flour - calcium and buffers

I would also add something to lighten the soil - perlite, pumice, organic rice hulls, etc. MJ likes good draining soil.

Look at creating a complete soil and free yourself from having to buy expensive liquid fertilizers and the problems that they create. There's lots of good info in subcool's section and The Rev's book is an easy read, less expensive than many bottles of chemicals and informative - True Living Organics.

Northernlights4 said:

crush it up, use roughly 3-4 cups. mix it like a week ahead of time, I added 12 tablespoons (3/4 cup) to my mix and it raised the soil teperuature about 15 deg. It gets hot as its breaks down

Click to expand...

THAT ^^^^^^

It does get hot, literally.

Crush it, or soak in water, the cubes will fall right apart. Add it to the mix and moisten the whole deal. A 2 week cook might work, but a month would be better. Sticking your hand in there will let you know when it cools down.

Good stuff, one of my 'must haves' along with kelp meal and EWC.

Wet

@panooq

Why are you replying to a over 4YO thread?

My poor excuse is that I didn't notice till after I answered.

Wet