Some has dried up but most of them it seems are still moist.... they have however all been in my rather cool basement not freezing by any means.. maybe 50ish degrees I guess? My mix is rather diverse I make my own soil using different locally sourced compostes manure including from some of my own animals, pete moss base, worn castings, and all the usual amendments (kelp, neem meal, alfalfa, azomite, crab meal, some glacial rock dust for trace, organic tomato tone... etc..) I was looking at a soil testing kit review and the one that folks were saying is the best or really onle home use one worth anything is the ...LaMotte Garden Kit... what do you think worth the investment? It doesnt seem to test for trace elements just the big three. Thanks again!!
I've just recently started reusing my soils. No soil testing done here. Not saying I won't or wouldn't. I'm just going by what I've read on re-amending used soil, since I do quite a bit of reading. So I guess you could say I'm just winging it. I'm just playing around in a 4 x 4; and honestly, not that dependent on one grow if it does go south. I have enough stash from previous grows. I'd just start over, but with fresh media; couldn't have two busts in a row. lol
I think when you reuse it more than once or twice is when testing would be wise. By then, things could easily start getting out of balance.
I looked up the Lamotte Soil Test Kit. Like you said, it just checks for N-P-K and ph.
IDK. Seems a little pricey for just that.
I've seen some on these forums send out soil samples to Logan Labs for testing. They say it runs about $45 for there basic. Couple guys posted there chart or graph they got back, it looked pretty thorough.
Cal, mag, the micros. They have a website, think they're in Ohio.
I see Build-a-soil also uses them.
I may get to that point in the future. I'll see what happens the next couple runs.
I have one started now in recycled soil, so far it's looking good. But it's early, and it seems like deficiencies rear there ugly head in flower.
Yea, I'm not sure how the soil micro life would be in your old sips. I know I've read that life in soil slows with cooler temps. But how much , and what temps??
It may give you a little jump start with a living soil.
I wouldn't be scared of it. lol