Breaking Away From The Grow Store (make your own amended soil)

Dr. Who said:

Um, I would do this instead.

3 parts Peat
3 parts EWC
3 parts Perlite
1 part composted cow/steer manure

You inverted the EWD and the compost!

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thumper60 said:

a 4 cubic bag of perlite cost more than big bale of pro mix let alone the peat an lime u need to buy,thats how I roll why throw money away. peace

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Richard Drysift said:

I recycle all my soil. Have not set foot in a grow store in over a year. It's actually gets better after a few runs because dry soil amendments take forever to break down. It's is a bit of work but totally worth the results. In my exp insects are just a part of organic grows; they occur in healthy soil but are easily controlled by diatomaceous earth, neem seed products, and spinosad. A few gnats do almost zero damage other than just being nasty but even thrips are no big deal to get rid of without chemical pesticide. If you are squeamish stick with nutes but honestly having a worm bin to make your own castings is the best investment an organic grower can make. Start a worm bin & get free castings for life; way better than bagged!!!

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Dr. Who said:

Don't go to the hydro store and buy supplies!

Go to where your MOM bought her garden supplies for her flowers!

1 bag of coarse perlite = 11.95
1 of Canadian Peat = 14.95
1 of cow manure = 1.99 (Mine comes from my farm - ORGANIC farm, FREE!)
1 of EWC = 14.99 (I have multiple worm bins in my personal op, FREE, ORGANIC)

Total of 43.88

You can build aprox 4.5 cft of base soil and still have plenty of perlite/Peat and manure for more.

You now have 2 1/8th times what you got in 1 of your bales. You add synthetics to yours and it's done at 1 run. I have soil that i have used and re-amended and re-used for YEARS!

I WIN!

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Richard Drysift said:

I recycle all my soil. Have not set foot in a grow store in over a year. It's actually gets better after a few runs because dry soil amendments take forever to break down. It's is a bit of work but totally worth the results. In my exp insects are just a part of organic grows; they occur in healthy soil but are easily controlled by diatomaceous earth, neem seed products, and spinosad. A few gnats do almost zero damage other than just being nasty but even thrips are no big deal to get rid of without chemical pesticide. If you are squeamish stick with nutes but honestly having a worm bin to make your own castings is the best investment an organic grower can make. Start a worm bin & get free castings for life; way better than bagged!!!

Click to expand...

Cobnobuler said:

......Wayyyy too much like work`````

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Richard Drysift said:

I recycle all my soil. Have not set foot in a grow store in over a year. It's actually gets better after a few runs because dry soil amendments take forever to break down. It's is a bit of work but totally worth the results. In my exp insects are just a part of organic grows; they occur in healthy soil but are easily controlled by diatomaceous earth, neem seed products, and spinosad. A few gnats do almost zero damage other than just being nasty but even thrips are no big deal to get rid of without chemical pesticide. If you are squeamish stick with nutes but honestly having a worm bin to make your own castings is the best investment an organic grower can make. Start a worm bin & get free castings for life; way better than bagged!!!

Click to expand...

Dr. Who said:

I do cheat and use a cement mixer for building! Best damn thing I ever bought for the garden!
!

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thumper60 said:

I buy at agway 26.99 6cft coarse perlite.large bale promix 24.99 about 50 gals if u do better good for u

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