Storing soil?

[DutchHaze]

How long can an opened bag of soil be saved? I have a bag of fox farm ocean that is a little over half full. I rolled the top down tight and put that bag into a plastic garbage bag and tied that. Is this an ok method? Are the nutrients dying off? Is it better to just buy a new bag for next run? Thx

 

[StellerKeller]

How long can an opened bag of soil be saved? I have a bag of fox farm ocean that is a little over half full. I rolled the top down tight and put that bag into a plastic garbage bag and tied that. Is this an ok method? Are the nutrients dying off? Is it better to just buy a new bag for next run? Thx

I just bought a bag of Recipe 420, because they no longer carry Fox Farms. The bag says to use within two years of manufacturing. So, it seems it does breakdown.

 

[DutchHaze]

Ha, I didn't even think to read the bag. I'll check it out when I get home. I assume it'll show the date of manufacture on there. Hopefully wasn't sittin at the store for too long

 

[GreatwhiteNorth]

I like keeping mine outside in a 55 gallon plastic trash can with a good lid.
Dirt doesn't go "bad".

 

[nomofatum]

The nutrients can be lost in two ways, evaporation and consumption. If the soil is totally dry the amount of organic activity will drop to almost none and the soil should last many years with minimal degrading. Just add a dash more nutes in your first feeding if your soil is getting old.

The organic content is the only part that will degrade really.

 

[StellerKeller]

The nutrients can be lost in two ways, evaporation and consumption. If the soil is totally dry the amount of organic activity will drop to almost none and the soil should last many years with minimal degrading. Just add a dash more nutes in your first feeding if your soil is getting old.

The organic content is the only part that will degrade really.

Recipe 420, and I suspect others, are "Enhanced with mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial soil bacteria." Those are what may lose strength after awhile.

 

[DutchHaze]

Ya, I don't know the science behind it. Since it cost like $20+ per bag it is more than just 'dirt'. I can get dirt for free in my backyard. If my 'enhanced soil' let's call it was going to degrade and become basic 'dirt' then I would just toss it now and not store it. But it's not long term, seems I'll be fine to use it again right when this run is over. Appreciate all the input, love to learn new things

 

[nomofatum]

Recipe 420, and I suspect others, are "Enhanced with mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial soil bacteria." Those are what may lose strength after awhile.

I believe both fungi a bacteria can survive a very long time in dry conditions. If stored wet I can see this being an issue. In any case you can buy a myco pack and be sure you are gtg on myco/bacteria.

You can make just as good of soil yourself. Honestly if you are going organic you should be mixing your own soil so you truly know exactly what is in it and can adjust as desired.

Instead of buying a premix I would recommend you mix your own mix. Look up square foot gardening, that soil recipe is a good starting point for a MJ soil.

 

[StellerKeller]

I believe both fungi a bacteria can survive a very long time in dry conditions. If stored wet I can see this being an issue. In any case you can buy a myco pack and be sure you are gtg on myco/bacteria.

You can make just as good of soil yourself. Honestly if you are going organic you should be mixing your own soil so you truly know exactly what is in it and can adjust as desired.

Instead of buying a premix I would recommend you mix your own mix. Look up square foot gardening, that soil recipe is a good starting point for a MJ soil.

I understand your point. And it is a valid one, especially if your goal is to control as much of the grow you can.

But understand, many people who'll grow might not have the time to compost good soil. They might not have the vitality to turn the soil periodically, and they might not have the room to compost. Besides, it is just one more thing to go wrong.

I got my 'designer' soil for less than $20 for a 1.5 cubic foot bag, plenty enough for 3 plants, or hopefully 6 or more ounces. Which works out to about 3 bucks an ounce.

If you are a student of the gold rush, you'd know that the people who got rich weren't the ones digging the gold, it was those who supplied the miners. I think it is the same for legalized MJ, the growers could be squeezed by bigger growers, but those who fill niches, like soil, can make money.

 

[nomofatum]

I understand your point. And it is a valid one, especially if your goal is to control as much of the grow you can.

But understand, many people who'll grow might not have the time to compost good soil. They might not have the vitality to turn the soil periodically, and they might not have the room to compost. Besides, it is just one more thing to go wrong.

I got my 'designer' soil for less than $20 for a 1.5 cubic foot bag, plenty enough for 3 plants, or hopefully 6 or more ounces. Which works out to about 3 bucks an ounce.

If you are a student of the gold rush, you'd know that the people who got rich weren't the ones digging the gold, it was those who supplied the miners. I think it is the same for legalized MJ, the growers could be squeezed by bigger growers, but those who fill niches, like soil, can make money.

You can buy all the supplies you need at a combo of Home depot and you local landscaping supply. Bring your own bag/bucket for the landscaping supply as they normally sell by the bucket load into a truck.

Making everything on site is what the ideal organic farmer would do, but that is a hella bitch, I'm more than happy to buy from a good source.