Is my top dress recipe ok?

Smokey_mc_pot

Smokey_mc_pot

Active Member
I need second opinions on my top dress recipe that I found on buildasoil. Com it seems pretty legit and is one of the cheapest ways to add nutrients to my plants organically. The method is keeping the top portion moist where all the ingredients and mulch are and then watering regularly as you would. Can anybody give give me any input our feedback on this recipe?

For every 5 Gallons the plant is in I will top dress with the following:



1. 3 Tablespoons Kelp Meal
2. 2 Tablespoons Fish Bone Meal
3. 4 Tablespoons Gypsum
4. Cover with up to 2" layer of worm castings across the whole container.
5. Put the mulch back, or cover with fresh mulch etc.

https://buildasoil.com/blogs/news/12456789-what-should-i-top-dress-my-organic-grow-with?comment=184919327
 
DonTesla

DonTesla

Well-Known Member
I would add some neem meal if you can, and some biochar, if you can too!

Or cut the castings with up to 50% biochar.. less is more with castings, if you want that end product to burn like better than ever.. and the addition of biochar will give all those microbes apartments and hotels to use at their will.. preserving them for longer.

Also, creating an amended compost might be even easier... mix it one time, let it mellow and activate, then no measuring from there after... just use compost to top up your pots, leaving a bit of room for your mulch to sit in there after too of course!

An even easier way, if you have space, is to grow stinging nettles, comfrey and borage, and use that as mulch, and it will melt in, becoming compost and nutrients!!!

Good luck Smokey!

ps I second the labs.. and you can also make grokashi.. fermented fungi food, which is also anti-pathogenic and great for upping your work horses, there may be uneaten wood and rock for them, so always good to make sure they are fortified and present!
 
Dmannn

Dmannn

Well-Known Member
DonTesla said:
I would add some neem meal if you can, and some biochar, if you can too!

Or cut the castings with up to 50% biochar.. less is more with castings, if you want that end product to burn like better than ever.. and the addition of biochar will give all those microbes apartments and hotels to use at their will.. preserving them for longer.

Also, creating an amended compost might be even easier... mix it one time, let it mellow and activate, then no measuring from there after... just use compost to top up your pots, leaving a bit of room for your mulch to sit in there after too of course!

An even easier way, if you have space, is to grow stinging nettles, comfrey and borage, and use that as mulch, and it will melt in, becoming compost and nutrients!!!

Good luck Smokey!

ps I second the labs.. and you can also make grokashi.. fermented fungi food, which is also anti-pathogenic and great for upping your work horses, there may be uneaten wood and rock for them, so always good to make sure they are fortified and present!
Click to expand...
What kind of material do you prefer bio char to be made out of?
 
BluRidgeBaby

BluRidgeBaby

Member
DonTesla said:
I've used stems from my bigger plants.. wood chips, and yard brush, but by far the best is hardwood chunks, about 8" in diameter, followed by the harder softwoods in the same size. Nice and dry furniture hardwood works well too.
Click to expand...
Agreeing except I wouldn’t use furniture or anything else treated. You don’t want the chemicals in your plants :)
I also suggest digging a hole, making a nice hot fire in it and then sticking your wood chunks in there (no bigger than 8’’ like dontesla suggested) and you can even cover it over with a metal trash can lid or something leaving just a little air hole. A hot fire with low oxygen works great to make biochar. Wood stoves work good too or a bum fire in a trash can. You don’t want ash, just let your chunks get charred all the way through and just bash them with a hammer once they’ve cooled.
 
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