FishingwithDave
Well-Known Member
I grow outside in the ground organically. This upcoming season will be my third outdoor grow in the same space. Over the last two, years, I have been amending the soil and hopefully improving each time. I continue to research looking for ideas or methods I should incorporate into soil improvement.
The soil on my property is hard clay about three feet down and then sandy. I’ve been using a pick axe, shovel and a soil ripper to break up and amend the soil to maybe 12” deep. (I bought an electric cultivator/tiller this year.). When I transplant, I dig about a 18” deep hole that’s around 12” wide and fill with Royal Gold Mendo Mix mixed with my amended soil. My thinking was that this will help the plant better transition to its new environment.
I’ve recently read several posts on RIU where folks are digging 3’ deep by 2’+ wide holes and filling it with super soil or equivalent. I thought my method of amending the whole area was typical, but now I’m questioning that assumption. To be honest, I really don’t want to dig a bunch of three feet deep holes and have to R&R the soil every year. I was hoping that I could just supplement the existing soil each year with composted manure, guano, worm casings, blood meal, bonemeal, etc and avoid soil replacement.
I’m wondering if I can get good grows if I were to break up and amend my soil down to 18” and dig 24” deep by 12” wide holes when transplanting the girls outside.
I’m looking for input and advice regarding what I’m proposing to do versus digging the bigger deeper holes and filling with super soil.
I’ve included pics from last year’s grow.
Thanks!
The soil on my property is hard clay about three feet down and then sandy. I’ve been using a pick axe, shovel and a soil ripper to break up and amend the soil to maybe 12” deep. (I bought an electric cultivator/tiller this year.). When I transplant, I dig about a 18” deep hole that’s around 12” wide and fill with Royal Gold Mendo Mix mixed with my amended soil. My thinking was that this will help the plant better transition to its new environment.
I’ve recently read several posts on RIU where folks are digging 3’ deep by 2’+ wide holes and filling it with super soil or equivalent. I thought my method of amending the whole area was typical, but now I’m questioning that assumption. To be honest, I really don’t want to dig a bunch of three feet deep holes and have to R&R the soil every year. I was hoping that I could just supplement the existing soil each year with composted manure, guano, worm casings, blood meal, bonemeal, etc and avoid soil replacement.
I’m wondering if I can get good grows if I were to break up and amend my soil down to 18” and dig 24” deep by 12” wide holes when transplanting the girls outside.
I’m looking for input and advice regarding what I’m proposing to do versus digging the bigger deeper holes and filling with super soil.
I’ve included pics from last year’s grow.
Thanks!