Absolute Beginner Needs Some Direction....

[NorthofEngland]

I'm not even sure if I've started this thread in the correct sub-forum...?

I grow in hydroton, using Wilma systems
and Canna Nutrients.
But, later this year, I plan on starting a few Guerrilla Spots
and trying my hand at growing outdoors in the glorious English summertime
(the 'glorious' bit was sarcasm, but I'm deadly serious about doing an outdoor grow).

The problem is I don't know shit about shit!
for example:
???ARE SOIL AND COMPOST DIFFERENT THINGS?
???DOES COMPOST NEED WORMS IN IT - TO LEAVE WORM CASTINGS?
Liberty Chicken and others have been generous enough to advise me on how to make a composter
but I realized that I don't really understand what COMPOST is???

If anyone could direct me to an IDIOTS GUIDE
that will help me to understand the basics...
To break it down to its component parts and explain what's what....???
I would be very grateful.

Bardzo Dzienkuje.

 

[st0wandgrow]

Compost is your source of humus, which will provide the billions of little critters that are needed in an organic soil to break down whatever organic inputs you decide to fill your container/hole in the ground with. You could go simple and add some well broken down compost to a hole, along with a couple fish carcasses, and a few cups of good dry all-purpose fertilizer and get some good results. The compost you use is the most important part of an organic medium.

I hope this isn't a troll ......

 

[budbro18]

Sub cools super soil works well. You let it "cook" for a couple weeks to a month and the "cooking" process is the microorganisms breaking down raw materials into readily accessible nutrients for the plants. Raise or lower the amounts of stuff in it depending on how long you plan to grow them out but dont go too high or youll burn your shit.

 

[NorthofEngland]

Compost is your source of humus, which will provide the billions of little critters that are needed in an organic soil to break down whatever organic inputs you decide to fill your container/hole in the ground with. You could go simple and add some well broken down compost to a hole, along with a couple fish carcasses, and a few cups of good dry all-purpose fertilizer and get some good results. The compost you use is the most important part of an organic medium.

I hope this isn't a troll ......

No - It's a genuine question.

I've just done a Google search and watched a few clips on YouTube
so I'm starting to understand that Compost is a part of soil
(the part that 're-energises' it)
And soil is mostly broken down rock
(without the benefit of COMPOST it's essentially DEAD).

YES...???

 

[NorthofEngland]

Sub cools super soil works well. You let it "cook" for a couple weeks to a month and the "cooking" process is the microorganisms breaking down raw materials into readily accessible nutrients for the plants. Raise or lower the amounts of stuff in it depending on how long you plan to grow them out but dont go too high or youll burn your shit.

I've tried searching RIU for 'SUB COOL SUPERSOIL'
No joy.

Any chance of posting a link???

 

[budbro18]

[video=youtube;s-jOcEMnTbc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-jOcEMnTbc[/video]

Check all the videos in the related section too for more info.

 

[SpicySativa]

I have no clue what the native topsoil is like in England, but there's a possibility it may grow healthy plants without ANY changes whatsoever. You say it's a gorilla grow, so I assume you will be planting directly into the ground? If so, a good place to look for advice would be your local nursery. Tell them that you live out in (name the general area you will be planting), and hoping to grow some vegetables. Ask them what kind of soil amendments they would recommend to prepare the soil for planting.

Without knowing what kind of soil you're working with, I can't really offer any specific advice on how to improve it.

I can say this...In general, adding compost is always going to be a good idea. You can til/dig some into the soil, and add an inch or so to the soil surface.

If possible, bring a shovel out to your site and dig some potholes.

How does the soil look at the surface?
What about 3 feet below surface?
Is it hard?
Soft?
Sandy?
Crumbly or mucky?
Is it clay?
Moist?
Dry?
If you dig a 1 ft by 1 ft by 1 ft hole and fill it with water, does it drain, or sit stagnant?
If you grab a handful of moist soil, squeeze it in your fist, then poke the clod with your finger, does it crumble apart?