Base soil Over thinking things but want opinions

So this is my second grow outdoor first time with photoperiod, i had a issue last year with my soil were it kinda turned to concrete in my pots (really didnt do much research) it was just eco scraps soil and peat moss... so this year im stepping my game up im doing 45 gallon air pots with organic living soil my BASE SOIL MIX is going to be

11cu ft horse compost-
15.2cu ft pro mix bx
7cu ft rice hulls an some? lava rock

was shooting for 1.1.1 ratio but another bag of rice hulls was going to cost $40 shipping so i figure the perlite in the pro mix will help equal out the differents. the horse manure/bedding compost has been broke down over years. IM trying to build the best soil i can with what i have ANY help is appreciated...

personally, i would cut that compost 65/35 with perlite, then mix it with the promix. Add 10-20% EWC on top of your mix.

Then, i would invest in a few amendments(neem, crab, kelp, oyster shell powder, epsom salts..etc...), cuz that soil alone will be depleted quickly, and you will most likely, be chasing deficiencies. 5 other amendments I would add - garden lime, bone meal, blood meal, biochar, potash(or some other heavy K). and maybe something high in P, like seabird guano. put all this in your soil, and simply water your plants for 3 months.

your plants will need something, either bottles/current intended mix - or an amended soil - imho, compost and promix only gets you 40% home, you need amendments or bottled nutes.

disclaimer: i am still kinda new to growin grass, but the Organics section here has led me to making my own soil. plants that would normally be showing defs in mid flower, look good, not perfect, but good.



perhaps a bit too much nitrogen, meh we'll see. just nice to see a plant that is not all wickity whack.

$0.02

good luck, i'm sure some more experienced growers will be by to help you out. Read the no till thread in organics, twice if you have to.

thanks for the reply.. and yea i have the nutes being shipped right now. im just making sure my base soil is solid .

Down To Earth 5-Pound Alfalfa Meal,
Espoma GG6 Garden Gypsum,
Down To Earth 5-Pound Kelp Meal,
Down To Earth Neem Seed Meal,
Root Naturally Azomite Rock Dust,
Down To Earth Crab Meal,
Down To Earth 6-Pound Fish Bone Meal

Offcenter said:

personally, i would cut that compost 65/35 with perlite, then mix it with the promix. Add 10-20% EWC on top of your mix.

Then, i would invest in a few amendments(neem, crab, kelp, oyster shell powder, epsom salts..etc...), cuz that soil alone will be depleted quickly, and you will most likely, be chasing deficiencies. 5 other amendments I would add - garden lime, bone meal, blood meal, biochar, potash(or some other heavy K). and maybe something high in P, like seabird guano. put all this in your soil, and simply water your plants for 3 months.

your plants will need something, either bottles/current intended mix - or an amended soil - imho, compost and promix only gets you 40% home, you need amendments or bottled nutes.

disclaimer: i am still kinda new to growin grass, but the Organics section here has led me to making my own soil. plants that would normally be showing defs in mid flower, look good, not perfect, but good.

View attachment 4103761 View attachment 4103763

perhaps a bit too much nitrogen, meh we'll see. just nice to see a plant that is not all wickity whack.

$0.02

good luck, i'm sure some more experienced growers will be by to help you out. Read the no till thread in organics, twice if you have to.

Click to expand...

only the best. i feel like top dressing as you go with different ammendmants at certains stages of the grow really allows then plant to just flourish

ill be top dressing with kelp,compost tea and blended germinated corn seed

rollangrow said:

ill be top dressing with kelp,compost tea and blended germinated corn seed

Click to expand...

No, mix the Kelp meal into the soil at the build!!!! Most important thing for kelp meal use...

Here, GREAT basic guide to SS building....

You can make it a base soil by reducing amounts of things used....Of course only use and observation will tell you how long your pre built soils will last till needing feeding...

https://forum.grasscity.com/threads/easy-organic-soil-mix-for-beginners.1116550/

Personally, I prefer steer/cow manure over composted horse....But this is your baby...

I like everything on your list above except the Neem...
Remember that Neem has antibacterial properties.
"I" don't want that in my soil! Bacteria and Fungus are the key to happy soil's and success!

People use it, so feel free if you really want....

Take a look at www.buildasoil.com too!

Read the books TEAMING WITH MICROBES and TEAMING WITH NUTRIENTS.....

You'll be happy you did!

Good Luck....

The kelp will be added at build but leftovers will be used for top dress later. And Neem has anti fungal properties but it is NOT anti-bacterial and the way it brakes down in soil it winds up not hurting any fungi growth either , i thought the same thing but i found a couple study's (i wish i saved them) that show that it actually feeds and promotes growth in fungi an bacteria when added to soil= growth in plant.

Dr. Who said:

No, mix the Kelp meal into the soil at the build!!!! Most important thing for kelp meal use...

Here, GREAT basic guide to SS building....

You can make it a base soil by reducing amounts of things used....Of course only use and observation will tell you how long your pre built soils will last till needing feeding...

https://forum.grasscity.com/threads/easy-organic-soil-mix-for-beginners.1116550/

Personally, I prefer steer/cow manure over composted horse....But this is your baby...

I like everything on your list above except the Neem...
Remember that Neem has antibacterial properties.
"I" don't want that in my soil! Bacteria and Fungus are the key to happy soil's and success!

People use it, so feel free if you really want....

Take a look at www.buildasoil.com too!

Read the books TEAMING WITH MICROBES and TEAMING WITH NUTRIENTS.....

You'll be happy you did!

Good Luck....

Click to expand...

I know this is an older post but I just saw it and wanted to mention that neem seed meal will not effect your fungal colonies at all.

I just top dressed with neem 2 days ago and came back to the top of my soil covered in mycelium.