What's new

Thinking of using local soil...maybe?

mad librettist

Active member
Veteran
i was thinking another type of clay, even simple potter's clay or that stuff you found, unless that is your bentonite. I even top dress the stuff.
 
I'm sold on the calcined DE...the stuff holds water and lightens the mix far beyond my expectations.

Just mixed:
3 parts compost from two sources
1 part vermicompost w/ worms from two sources
1 part local top soil
1 part peat
1 part calcined DE
1 part rice hulls
+ a few lbs of greensand, various guanos and some FoxFarm POM F&F (5-8-4)
 

guest2012y

Living with the soil
Veteran
i was thinking another type of clay, even simple potter's clay or that stuff you found, unless that is your bentonite. I even top dress the stuff.

The stuff I found as a natural deposit is comparable to potter's clay,the bentonite was a purchase.

I'm sold on the calcined DE...the stuff holds water and lightens the mix far beyond my expectations.

Just mixed:
3 parts compost from two sources
1 part vermicompost w/ worms from two sources
1 part local top soil
1 part peat
1 part calcined DE
1 part rice hulls
+ a few lbs of greensand, various guanos and some FoxFarm POM F&F (5-8-4)

I think it's a good amendment,I've got DE in the mix in powder form as well.
 

guest2012y

Living with the soil
Veteran
Outdoor Durban Poison in native soil. Popped open a crack in the Earth with a shovel and stuck in the clone around the end of July. Top dressed with dolomite/oyster shell to adjust the acid soil and a bit of EWC to kick start the microbial activity around the plant. No ferts applied @ all.....and she won't get any because I'm certain they don't need it in healthy rich undisturbed native soil with access to water the plant can get on it's own.

picture.php
 

guest2012y

Living with the soil
Veteran

Isn't it!
I'm certain this plant behaves like other plants and doesn't need all the commonly added ferts/nutes to develop it's flowers to the full potential.
Of course added nutes/ferts help...but it don't need them out there where the soil is decent.

It's just a plant....
 

mad librettist

Active member
Veteran
you can pretty much tell what is going on from the surrounding vegetation.

paul tukey's organic lawn care manual has good tips on specific indicator plants
 

jaykush

dirty black hands
ICMag Donor
Veteran
damn does it ever go brown up there? everything has been dried and dead around here for months. not an indicator of good soil in this environment. at least this time of year.
 

xmobotx

ecks moe baw teeks
ICMag Donor
Veteran
We're looking pretty brown here - intense summer heat and no rain for a while
 

vecker

Member
Very inspiring thread CC! Went for a short hike yesterday and for the first time I was scoping the local soil in the forest. Found a nice area about 50 ft from a stream bed that was slightly elevated and the soil was much darker than the surrounding areas. When i walked there the soil was far less compact than the surrounding areas. Diggin in with a stick produced dozens of worms the size of small snakes!! Turns out the soil was primarily castings!!! Looking forward to heading back and harvesting some of my own local soil. Thanks again for the great idea.
 

jaykush

dirty black hands
ICMag Donor
Veteran
remember the wildharvesting ethics vecker. collect a little from multiple spots. not only is it best for the natural world. its better for you because of the diversity you get. diversity = better pot.
 

jaykush

dirty black hands
ICMag Donor
Veteran
good stuff, then go enjoy searching for soils and natural materials. its extra fun, don't forget to bring some bowls of green or a doobie or two.
 

rrog

Active member
Veteran
Ha! That's funny.

I like the wild harvesting ethics. I should examine the woods behind my house. We have a creek back there. Maybe creek bank dirt is interesting.
 

guest2012y

Living with the soil
Veteran
Hey dude,let's fire this thing up again...

Recycled organic living soil....getting it. I love my soil....man I love my soil...
CC1

picture.php


picture.php
 

Latest posts

Latest posts

Top