Hi guys, I just noticed this sub

Hello, a first time organic gardener here. Just thought I’d stop in and say hello. Outdoors, 6 girls that are really starting to beef up. 100% organic with my own soil mix. The only thing from a bottle I’ve used is spinosad, I kinda freaked out when I found a couple of those stinkin worms recently, if I had it to do over I would have suited up, found a red wasp nest, shake to make them mad then toss into the garden lol. But I’m definitely learning. I’m an old man and have thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Every night about sunset I grab my flashlight, loupe, tweezers and go hunting. I look forward to it every day. I have two successful cabinet crops under my belt but if I’m successful here I’m all organic from here on. A question, do you guys think you’re organic girls are “happier” than your inside grows? It sure seems that way to me.

Welcome to organics! My girls are definitely happier and much healthier. Water only with floral tea every 2-3 weeks. I only went organic about a year ago, it is more enjoyable for me as well!!!

Stoked you're having such a great experience with a living soil.

My plants in general have been "happier" since switching to organics, indoor or outdoors. Putting the plants and soil in control, and simply facilitating these things is much easier for me. Not to imply I'm dogging on hydro, the one's that have it down to a science are artists.

As for pest control, spinosad is great stuff. It says spray weekly, and I've done just that. You don't want to use nothing but spinosad, as there is a possibility bugs can eventually become resistant. I like to alternate weekly between spinosad, and a habanero pepper spray. Spinosad for "population control" in a sense, then 3-4 days later use the habanero to what remains. I have bees in my garden, so I only spray Spinosad when the sun is going down and there are no bees.

Habanero can be used every couple days for pests, technically. It doesn't harm plants (if completely strained), and will either kill what eats it, or force the pests to starve. The downsides are that the effects of the spray last 24 hours or so; not only is repeated application needed, but protective gear will also be needed. Absolute pain in the ass to use, but it works. I mean, its painful for us to just make the spray, imagine the bugs lol.

That said, outdoor can be absolutely incredible, if done properly. Many variables involved with indoor vs outdoor, soil or hydro. Outdoors, you either have to find a strain that absolutely loves your natural climate, or you have to use a greenhouse and control the environment. If you do one of those things, it is possible to have outdoor that is comparable, if not better than some indoor.

If you are able to grow discreetly/legally, pick the right strains and/or use a controlled greenhouse, and can properly and consistently manage pests, you can have a killer outdoor. In my experience, the main reasons for people staying indoors are either discretion and/or legality.

Regards.

Thanks for the habanero tip kratos. I agree totally except the main reason I grew my first two crops inside was because I can do it in winter, and around here winter = almost zero bugs. Plus the stealth lol but my folks know I grow now and I never gave a rat’s a$$ what anybody else thought anyway. So this year I’m outdoors and proud. By the way I discovered a nice brew the other day and tested it, it worked and didn’t hurt my test plant woot! I’m the only one licensed here but she’s the real gardener, so I have my section in the garden, the rest is hers. It was silly out there she has flowers everywhere, lots of veggies, so I had lots of other plants available to me to make insecticidal brews haha. Plus I let her be in charge of my companion plants. We had a great summer together and were perfectly legal. She calls my section “the forest” lol. I planted 3 different tomato strains for her, I hate them personally I think they taste like something you’d pour down a clogged drain but those plants have turned out to be very important for making brews. Apparently spider mites and thrips think it tastes like drano too because it has worked better than anything for those 2 bugs.

okmtnbiker said:

Thanks for the habanero tip kratos. I agree totally except the main reason I grew my first two crops inside was because I can do it in winter, and around here winter = almost zero bugs. Plus the stealth lol but my folks know I grow now and I never gave a rat’s a$$ what anybody else thought anyway. So this year I’m outdoors and proud. By the way I discovered a nice brew the other day and tested it, it worked and didn’t hurt my test plant woot! I’m the only one licensed here but she’s the real gardener, so I have my section in the garden, the rest is hers. It was silly out there she has flowers everywhere, lots of veggies, so I had lots of other plants available to me to make insecticidal brews haha. Plus I let her be in charge of my companion plants. We had a great summer together and were perfectly legal. She calls my section “the forest” lol. I planted 3 different tomato strains for her, I hate them personally I think they taste like something you’d pour down a clogged drain but those plants have turned out to be very important for making brews. Apparently spider mites and thrips think it tastes like drano too because it has worked better than anything for those 2 bugs.

Click to expand...

Winters where I'm at are pretty brutal too. Can't do outdoors in the winter without a hoop house of some sort to keep the plants warm at night, and even then you need strains that aren't finicky.

If your lady not only has a garden, but enough plants to make essential oils with, you can completely disregard the habanero advice. Most people here only grow weed, so its rather rare to be able to advise someone to make pest sprays with essential oils as they usually don't have the plants necessary. There are some here that do normal gardens as well, and I've just recently branched out to attempting vegetables and the like.

Pretty much every type of herb repels some sort of pest, not to mention how game changing they are for cooking. In fact, if one reads the ingredients of many of these organic pesticides, they're pretty much just diluted essential oils made from various herbs. Hoping to be like you guys soon enough, with various herbs littered throughout the garden to deter pests and make oils with for sprays.

Wishing you both the best.