How to mix soil?

[doja420]

I've searched through many threads but have been unable to find the answer to this question.

I've never mixed my own soil or even mixed soil with perlite before.

My question is, how do I actually go about doing this? For example, if I want to mix FFOF with 25% perlite, 10% worm castings and 2 tbs dolomite lime, do I just throw all the ingredients into a pot and try to mix and stir it as best I can with my hands or some tool?

 

[mk6]

I use a 25gl plastic trash can that I cut down a little with a razor. 5gl buckets are to small
then just pour in the soil, perlite, worm castings, etc... and mix it up with by hand....
I would use add more perlite tho but whatever works for you.
enjoy as this is where the fun begins.

 

[Haps]

I like to use a wheelbarrow or large tub, add all ingredients, and stir with a hoe, or for smaller amounts a metal serving spoon, stir well.
H

 

[GirthDogg]

You can also just use a big space on the floor (garage/basement), or even one of those small plastic kiddie pools they sell at wally world. Mix it all up in there, then fill the buckets.

 

[birdbrain]

I use the 18 gallon plastic tote from osh. I don't measure but I mix a bunch of perlite into a bag of ffof. I determine how much perlite to mix depending on how often I want to water the plants. Last grow I was watering every 4-5 days, and I need to add more perlite to get the watering to every 3 days. Try to use 1 bag of miracle grow perlite per bag of ocean forest.
FFOF without perlite added is too wet. You'll be watering once a week and your buds won't reach their potential.

This purple kush is in a 3 gallon but I don't think there was enough perlite cause I was watering every 4 days. I did get 35 grams off this baby, and still not at it's max potential.

 

[green_grow]

yes, just mix it up . your hands will do the job just fine.

 

[doja420]

thanks for the help guys!

 

[FunkBomb]

I use a 30 gallon rubbermaid to mix soil and as for parts of soil/perilite I just use handfuls....

-Funk

 

[hoodini]

It seems like alot of you guys add perlite to your ffof. I started using light warrior in addition to my ffof and was also considering their brand of soil with worm casting for veg. I havnt seem to notice a big difference with light warrior but thought i'd give it a go anyway. Do you guys have any oppinions of these products.

 

[RetroGrow]

I use the bathtub. Make sure to pulverize the clumps as much as possible.

 

[FRANKENBLUNT420]

It seems like alot of you guys add perlite to your ffof. I started using light warrior in addition to my ffof and was also considering their brand of soil with worm casting for veg. I havnt seem to notice a big difference with light warrior but thought i'd give it a go anyway. Do you guys have any opinions of these products.

i have the same and many more products in my organic soil, and i wont really be able to tell the difference until after my next grow, but i still think that every lil bit helps.

 

[Bob_J]

find a nice workable space. get a tarp. 8'x8' works for me.
measure out your ingredients and add it all in the center of the tarp.
start mixing it up by hand at first (wear a mask..perlite is nasty)
i have a small folding army shovel which works good for me at really mixing it up.
then i grab one end and "fold" my pile over.
i mix it up again and fold it over a few more times always keeping the pile in the center.
if your mixing a few bales a bigger tarp will be needed.

 

[cocktail frank]

i use a brute™ garbage can, heavy duty from the home depot ($40)
i only mix 10 gallons at a time, easier to mix.
you can always mix on top of the last 10 gal you did afterwards, easier that way.
i use my trusty dewalt™ 18v cordless drill w/ this attachment, also available at the depot.

this spackle bit rocks!
can be found near the drywall section.

 

[cobain420]

Ya it's a lot easier in a nice spread out space - bathtub, tarp, etc. But a huge rubbermaid works just fine too. Get your hands dirty, that's the best way to enrure a nice even mix. Good luck!

 

[Suby]

I've searched through many threads but have been unable to find the answer to this question.

I've never mixed my own soil or even mixed soil with perlite before.

My question is, how do I actually go about doing this? For example, if I want to mix FFOF with 25% perlite, 10% worm castings and 2 tbs dolomite lime, do I just throw all the ingredients into a pot and try to mix and stir it as best I can with my hands or some tool?

I take the large 5 gallon containers for paint from Wallmart it`s an easy measure and you can clap the lid on and roll in around until it`s well mixed, dump it into 2-3 buckets and repeat until I`m done.

For a 5 gallon drum that will give 4 gallons of soil ( you need the room for it to mix around properly) of your mix you add:

2.5 gallons of FF
1 gallon of perlite
1/2 gallon of worm castings
8 TBS of dolomite lime


Other tricks for mixing include using a large contractor grade garbage bag but I find the buckets really minimize dust plus I like to flower larger plants so 5 gallons is a perfect container, I mix in the bucket then transplant a medium to large clone into the bucket.

If you are using perlite poke a few holes in the bottom, and trough an opening in the top run some water through to wash out the dust, one way or another I wear a dust mask to be safe, keep a spayer on hand to tame any dust that might poof up, I go outside but appartment grows are tricky.

GLuck

Suby

 

[doja420]

Thanks guys for all the helpful info!

 

[Guest]

Concrete mixer. Best investment ever.