Has anyone used Black Gold soils?

I know people have used it succesfully but I would like to know specifically what type they used. People haven't really specified much but I have a lot of choices. I am currently leaning towards the water holding soil because it has a nice mix of coco, peat moss, earth worm castings and pumice. Then I really like the seed starting mix which is their "lightest" mix and is described as very loamy and contains peat moss perlite and a wetting agent for water retention. Doesn't contain many nutritional additives thought like the the water holding soil does. Then there is the last two options the all purpose (which is organic) and organic all purpose. They both contain a good amount of additives like worm casings, humus, compost and pumice. I am drawn to the first once because Im using air pots and they lose moisture fast. I already have compost and perlite and will purchase organic additives to feed the plant, more worm castings, root hormones, guano, alfafa etc. I basically wanted to find the best base soil. Out of those does anyone suggest one in particular? Thanks a lot guys! Peace.

I have used the organic all purpose mixed 50/50 with fox farms ocean forest and 20% perlite added. It retains water well when given a thorough drink. I don't see a problem with black gold by itself as long as you add perlite, as it does seem to compact quite a bit. Hope that helps. Happy growing!

Thanks a lot buddy! Im starting to lean towards the organic all purpose because of the good organic ewc in it. Ill just add some vermiculite and perlite for drainage and retention.

Never used it myself but it looks to have good ingredients and with some crab meal,neem meal kelp meal and azomite or glacial rock dust you should have some happy plants.Have you ever considered making your own mix??It is cheaper and superior to bagged soil.....just a though if your interested check out the rols thread https://www.rollitup.org/organics/636057-recycled-organic-living-soil-rols.html

Growingforpeace said:

Thanks a lot buddy! Im starting to lean towards the organic all purpose because of the good organic ewc in it. Ill just add some vermiculite and perlite for drainage and retention.

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not to be a party pooper but Ive heard of ruined grows because of this brand, unstable ph and spider mites..

I grew in this when I was a noob. As soon as I could afford better I switched to other various things.
Black Gold is ok, but there better blends out there.

Ill just add some vermiculite and perlite for drainage and retention.

sterilize compost by either microwaving it or "cooking it" in a pile

thegreensurfer said:

not to be a party pooper but Ive heard of ruined grows because of this brand, unstable ph and spider mites..

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I have heard about the same thing with most soils including OF and HF and all the best. It is a bad batch most likely, happens with all companies.

aisach said:

I grew in this when I was a noob. As soon as I could afford better I switched to other various things.
Black Gold is ok, but there better blends out there.

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Its my first grow and Im going to be mixing wtih compost and perlite and any additives I can get my hands on should be more than ok.

jcdws602 said:

Never used it myself but it looks to have good ingredients and with some crab meal,neem meal kelp meal and azomite or glacial rock dust you should have some happy plants.Have you ever considered making your own mix??It is cheaper and superior to bagged soil.....just a though if your interested check out the rols thread https://www.rollitup.org/organics/636057-recycled-organic-living-soil-rols.html

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Well I am making "my own soil" im only using this soil as a base for my mix. Going to add perlite, vermiculite, maybe some coco, earth worm castings, guanos, alfafa, anything I can find locally which should be a lot.

jonesjgqg said:

Ill just add some vermiculite and perlite for drainage and retention.

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I dont get it, is it because those two things are opposites? You want both, you want water to drain through your soil well but you want things in their that will maintain moisture. Its a balance you need to keep a loamy rich soil, don't want it too light or too compacted.

Nizza said:

sterilize compost by either microwaving it or "cooking it" in a pile

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Would that kill beneficial bacterias, nutrients etc.?

Growingforpeace said:

Would that kill beneficial bacterias, nutrients etc.?

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Also what temp.?

IDK about microwaving but "cooking" it will increase the microbial life........and using bagged soil is not making your own soil,but with all the amendments you are going to add to it is almost like making your own soil that is why I was suggesting just making your own as it will be far superior to bagged soil and less expensive,a win win in my book.When you have time check out the link I posted.I used to buy bagged soil and re amend it myself until I found the https://www.rollitup.org/organics/636057-recycled-organic-living-soil-rols.html and it changed my life for the better as in a gain of organic gardening knowledge,more money in my pocket & superior quality in medicine......and you re-use the same soil 2,3, sometimes even 4 times in the same container.......and after that you re amend it again and use it over and over again and results improve with each recycle..........well what ever you do good luck and good growing peace......

If I remember correctly, Black Gold is somewhat loamy. The perlite helps with drainage, the vermiculite retains moisture.
Perlite also provides a lot of surface area for bacteria.
If possible, get a small fish air pump and aerate your gro and bloom formulas to enhance bacterial growth.
And add mycos to the soil.
Bacteria dominated tea, fungus dominated soil.