Organic in Napa

Outdoor Organics on a shoestring.

Hi folks,

I don't have the resources for imported bat pooh and I have ethical problems with most animal based products so I'm growing my garden with whatever is at hand in my local environment. It is a bit of an experiment.

I'm into my second grow of this kind. Last year, my first, went surprisingly well considering I basically invented my regimin as I went along. I had no internet last year so had no access to all the wonderful knowledge shared in these forums. Still, I was able to grow a bunch of healthy and delicious buds.

This year I'm gardening in a different location with much poorer soil. I got a late start and didn't do enough to prepare my soil, so I'm trying to build the soil as I go using a lasagna-style sheet mulching process. The soil is very compact and dusty and seems lacking in organic matter. Most likely alkaline.

I planted seedlings in a holes containing approx 50% soil and 50% homemade compost (nothing special - kitchen and garden waste piled, watered and turned every 2 weeks.

Then mulched heavily with lot's of locally gathered stuff like algae from the creek, corn husk, alfalfa and bedding from stable and chicken coop.
My theory is that the stuff will compost slowly in the garden and feed as it does.
I deliberately chose mulch that can add nitrogen.

The only additional freed is the occasional application of fish emulsion, Epsom and molasses. Also compost teas.

So I'm 5 or so weeks in and things are looking pretty good. Plants dark green and vigorous. Pests seem in balance ( though all the organic stuff does attract insects including ants and flies). Companion Veggies bombing on. All seems good.

View attachment 3454279 View attachment 3454280 View attachment 3454281 View attachment 3454279 View attachment 3454280 View attachment 3454281 Growing in Northern California.
Drip line irrigation.
Strains:
Sour Diesel
Orange Tangie
Blue Dream
Chisel
Gelato

Plus a bunch of seed of unknown strains collected from those rare occasions you find a seed in sensi. Fun, as you have a one of a kind strain you get to name for yourself.

Don't know how detailed the diary will be.

Please feel free to comment and advise.

Making a tea with alfalfa, chamomile, dandelion, mollasas and compost.
Bubble for 2 days then use as a soil drench.

Did some training this morning.

Just bending and tying off top shoots. Ought to help make a canopy as I'm planted a little tight.
Half the grow is bag seed and they are still a week or so away from showing their gender. If 50% are removed then there ought to be plenty of space for what's left.
If I'm lucky enough to get a bunch of females, it will be crowded. Might be a SOG.

Moving slowly toward business end of summer.
Clones are lagging behind seed in size but are further into flower.
Garden generally doing OK but some plants are showing one or two signs of discontent.
Nothing serious hopefully, just a little yellowing on lower leaves. Possibly points to some deficiency.
I have a bunch of different strains but have subjected them all to the same routine. Perhaps strains have slightly different needs and ought to be catered to specifically.

This Orange Tangie looks too light green at top.
N deficient?

This Sour Diesel looks too dark at the bottom.
N overload?

Yellowing lower leaves.

All comments and diagnosis welcome.

This bag seed baby seems happy enough, notice how she prays.

Sancho on patrol.

Journal update.
Three weeks into bud. Showing damage from thrips and a little difficient too, otherwise kicking on.

Local wild fires rain ashes. Third big one this season. Scary.

So it turns out I have a bit of a magnesium deficiency. Most likely caused by the hard well water we have here.
Trying to fix with folier Epsom salt.
Otherwise all is well.
Biggest plant topping 8'.
Buds forming nicely.

Feel free to comment, folks.

Nice looks good. They sell hose bib filters for 50 that filters 4,000 gallons. It may help. What are you using for a base nutrient?