4x4 Fabric bed questions?

[the native]

Embarking on a journey from fabric pots(2x 15gal and 4x 25 gal)to a 4×4 bed.


This will be going in a 6×6 tent.


I will be using existing soil (500 litres or 132 gallons).


I was thinking of putting it on a plastic pallet, would this be a good or bad idea. I realise that I wouldn't be able to move it once it's full, which is of no concern.


With the remaining space what should I add? or should I leave it with 500l of my existing soil for future top dressings etc? Maybe add the remainder with fresh EWC and compost? I'm unsure.

Any help/inputs would be appreciated.

 

[2cent]

Embarking on a journey from fabric pots(2x 15gal and 4x 25 gal)to a 4×4 bed.


This will be going in a 6×6 tent.


I will be using existing soil (500 litres or 132 gallons).


I was thinking of putting it on a plastic pallet, would this be a good or bad idea. I realise that I wouldn't be able to move it once it's full, which is of no concern.


With the remaining space what should I add? or should I leave it with 500l of my existing soil for future top dressings etc? Maybe add the remainder with fresh EWC and compost? I'm unsure.

Any help/inputs would be appreciated.

Pics? Soil recipie?

 

[the native]

I have 130 gal of soil, out of that, about 30gal is from a premix I paid for. Same sort of company like build a soil but n New Zealand . 100gal of soil was homemade

My current setup is as follows-
2x 15 gal fabric pots(about a 1.5 yrs old)
4x 25 gal fabric pots(nearing 3 yrs, 11 cycles)

I am planning on combining all the soil into a fabric bed and into one tent(6x6).

I don’t know why but the situation of putting the bed on something is bothering me, I see the guy from build a soil uses a plastic tray and other people like @2cent to use a swick bed, just gathering up info to decide on a good approach.

here is the link to the soil

Seacliff Organics Living Soil v2

Discover the power of Living Soil V2, your go-to source for organic soil amendments in NZ. Transform your garden with Seacliff's premium products.

seaclifforganics.nz

This is the bed I have purchased

Seacliff Organics - Living Soil Bed

The Seacliff Organics Square Living Soil Bed is an amazing quality soil bed that includes PVC supports & holds its shape well even when full of soil.

seaclifforganics.nz

3x3 week 3flower



4x4 week 1 flower.

 

[T macc]

Embarking on a journey from fabric pots(2x 15gal and 4x 25 gal)to a 4×4 bed.


This will be going in a 6×6 tent.


I will be using existing soil (500 litres or 132 gallons).


I was thinking of putting it on a plastic pallet, would this be a good or bad idea. I realise that I wouldn't be able to move it once it's full, which is of no concern.


With the remaining space what should I add? or should I leave it with 500l of my existing soil for future top dressings etc? Maybe add the remainder with fresh EWC and compost? I'm unsure.

Any help/inputs would be appreciated.

The bed on pallets would be a good idea. Root pruning on the bottom of the pot. I'll be doing the same with a couple plants @ 25 gallons. The extra soil - grow smaller plants on the sides for more flavor (and yield), or use it for compost teas, dump it back, make more tea

 

[McShnutz]

I run a 4x8 fabric, I had 2 plastic Miller Coors beer pallets under it. I did 2 cycles with it and now it's been removed. I can't say there's going to be a negative impact from removing them, if anything my moisture will be more even. I think the pallets are more appropriate for those who hand water, whereas I don't. I use blumat maxi's with a double ended blusoak manifold, supplied with 0ppm from my 350gpd RoDi with pump, pressure switches and a 2gal accumulator I keep pressured @ 100psi.

 

[T macc]

I run a 4x8 fabric, I had 2 plastic Miller Coors beer pallets under it. I did 2 cycles with it and now it's been removed. I can't say there's going to be a negative impact from removing them, if anything my moisture will be more even. I think the pallets are more appropriate for those who hand water, whereas I don't. I use blumat maxi's with a double ended blusoak manifold, supplied with 0ppm from my 350gpd RoDi with pump, pressure switches and a 2gal accumulator I keep pressured @ 100psi.

Might have saved me the hassle

 

[harris hawk]

I have 130 gal of soil, out of that, about 30gal is from a premix I paid for. Same sort of company like build a soil but n New Zealand . 100gal of soil was homemade

My current setup is as follows-
2x 15 gal fabric pots(about a 1.5 yrs old)
4x 25 gal fabric pots(nearing 3 yrs, 11 cycles)

I am planning on combining all the soil into a fabric bed and into one tent(6x6).

I don’t know why but the situation of putting the bed on something is bothering me, I see the guy from build a soil uses a plastic tray and other people like @2cent to use a swick bed, just gathering up info to decide on a good approach.

here is the link to the soil

Seacliff Organics Living Soil v2

Discover the power of Living Soil V2, your go-to source for organic soil amendments in NZ. Transform your garden with Seacliff's premium products.

seaclifforganics.nz

This is the bed I have purchased

Seacliff Organics - Living Soil Bed

The Seacliff Organics Square Living Soil Bed is an amazing quality soil bed that includes PVC supports & holds its shape well even when full of soil.

seaclifforganics.nz

3x3 week 3flower

View attachment 5280621

4x4 week 1 flower.


View attachment 5280622

Great grow -- the only question I have is "drainage" with Living Soil Beds ? has anyone that uses beds have a drainage issue ?

 

[McShnutz]

Might have saved me the hassle

I sincerely hope I did. Trust me, unloading that much soil blows! And you'll have the root pruning benefits from the side walls. After all, any roots that bottom out are just going to divert and head for the walls anyways.

 

[McShnutz]

Great grow -- the only question I have is "drainage" with Living Soil Beds ? has anyone that uses beds have a drainage issue ?

I honestly can't think of 1 reason you'd encourage drainage out of a LOS fabric bed. The key to success with beds is finding that happy medium or sweet spot of hydration and keeping it there. One main reason I run blumats and blusoak lines.

 

[green_machine_two9er]

Should be no runoff on a bed. Takes practice and time to get it dialed in.
Blue soak manifolds are the best.

i prefer the ground over a raised up bed.

 

[green_machine_two9er]

My current bed. Filled with 3 year soil. Probably 10 runs easily.

had a huge run off and flood early on. Now it just maintains perfect moisture.

to the op on what to do next. I recommend a cover crop to help soil structure and malted barley topdress. Followed by any meals and ammendments you may be wanting later on. This is based off your previous harvest oit of that soil.

then a thick layer of castings( 1/2 inch). Right over everything including seeds. An easy mix is clover, peas and buckwheat.

then starts the cycle of beds. This whole cover crop gets “ chopped and dropped” before flowering

also it’s important to keep the top layer of soil moist to make sure your organic inputs ( leaves of cannibusplants andcompanion plants) break down fast and in a healthy way.

the close the soil food web cycle in takes all the tools imo. Cover crops, green manures, compost, meals et.

either way. Good luck and I’m thrilled another grower is onto beds! You’ll love it and it gets easier over time.

 

[McShnutz]

Should be no runoff on a bed. Takes practice and time to get it dialed in.
Blue soak manifolds are the best.

i prefer the ground over a raised up bed.

I absolutely love my pump system using the blusoak. I hear my pump running off and on all day long but only for like 3-5 seconds each time and all its doing is maintaining the accumulator tank at 100psi. The blusoak lines stay filled and at the ready even if its only to push out a few drops. But with that being said, I have my system dial in perfectly and it's spot on. Actually Im so impressed with blumat that I've been considering running a table setup using their capillary mat and that need looking flat blumat sensor. I have alot of 3gal fabrics I could put into the mix.

 

[green_machine_two9er]

I absolutely love my pump system using the blusoak. I hear my pump running off and on all day long but only for like 3-5 seconds each time and all its doing is maintaining the accumulator tank at 100psi. The blusoak lines stay filled and at the ready even if its only to push out a few drops. But with that being said, I have my system dial in perfectly and it's spot on. Actually Im so impressed with blumat that I've been considering running a table setup using their capillary mat and that need looking flat blumat sensor. I have alot of 3gal fabrics I could put into the mix.

I haven’t even seen this new flat sensors or capillary Mats. Guess I need to hit the web!

 

[McShnutz]

I haven’t even seen this new flat sensors or capillary Mats. Guess I need to hit the web!

Yeah it's really neat. They incorporate the blue soak hose manifold style inside of the mat. I was surfing YouTube and saw a video on it. Definitely made me rethink things here at home.

 

[McShnutz]

My current bed. Filled with 3 year soil. Probably 10 runs easily.

had a huge run off and flood early on. Now it just maintains perfect moisture.

to the op on what to do next. I recommend a cover crop to help soil structure and malted barley topdress. Followed by any meals and ammendments you may be wanting later on. This is based off your previous harvest oit of that soil.

then a thick layer of castings( 1/2 inch). Right over everything including seeds. An easy mix is clover, peas and buckwheat.

then starts the cycle of beds. This whole cover crop gets “ chopped and dropped” before flowering

also it’s important to keep the top layer of soil moist to make sure your organic inputs ( leaves of cannibusplants andcompanion plants) break down fast and in a healthy way.

the close the soil food web cycle in takes all the tools imo. Cover crops, green manures, compost, meals et.

either way. Good luck and I’m thrilled another grower is onto beds! You’ll love it and it gets easier over time.

SOLID!!!!!!

 

[shnkrmn]

Yeah it's really neat. They incorporate the blue soak hose manifold style inside of the mat. I was surfing YouTube and saw a video on it. Definitely made me rethink things here at home.

I've tried classic blumats and they are fussy, for me anyway. This mat system however looks great, Im going to price out a 4x4. Thanks for the info.

 

[McShnutz]

I've tried classic blumats and they are fussy, for me anyway. This mat system however looks great, Im going to price out a 4x4. Thanks for the info.

The mat definitely looks alot easier to dial in and maintain.
For sure bro, we're a community, stronger together!

 

[harris hawk]

I honestly can't think of 1 reason you'd encourage drainage out of a LOS fabric bed. The key to success with beds is finding that happy medium or sweet spot of hydration and keeping it there. One main reason I run blumats and blusoak lines.

That was my only question about "beds" Thanks got answer

 

[the native]

Thanks everyone , not far away before I can start setting up about 5 weeks
you tell me



yep I have the carrots and drippers, @McShnutz ,is it this your talking about

4'x12' Blusoak Double Manifold

Description This kit provides an easy, fast, and water-saving way to water a 4ft by 12ft bed, either raised or in your garden. No timers, batteries, or electricity required! This system utilizes Blumat carrots (sensor) to automatically water and monitor the moisture levels in your garden soil...

www.sustainablevillage.com

That’s awesome man thanks.

I have a friend building me a frame with castors on it, I will fill the frame with scoria/lava rock.
I’ll cover the scoria with geo fabric as to not pierce the bed and still be breathable. Good or bad?

I just want it to be aerated on the bottom.
It’s also going in a 10x 5 tent. Not 6x6.

 

[Rufus T. Firefly]

My 4x4 with a 3x3 living soil bed is in my basement so I wanted to have the whole thing off the floor (130 year old house built before vapor barriers). I put a 4.5 x 4.5 Dricore platform under the tent and then put the bed on some snap together tiles in the tent. Works great but you will have to water more IMHO over a set up where the bed is on a solid floor.

DRICORE Subfloor Membrane Panel 3/4 in. x 2 ft. x 2 ft. Oriented Strand Board FG10006 - The Home Depot

Bestow a manicured look to your floor by adding this DRIcore Subfloor Panel. Convenient to maintain and long lasting usage.

www.homedepot.com

Amazon.com