[HardKnock]

First off I would like to start out saying I just found this web site a few days ago and already have gotten a ton of wealth off this fourm. So what I'm trying to say is thank you.

O.K I'll get to the point. This will be my first attempt at trying to grow in soil. I checked out BOG's tips and it sounds get and he looks to be a guy that knows his stuff. I have grown a few times before so I get the basic's of it. I used 3 1/2 gallon DWC buckets with air pumps the most at one time was only 8 plants with a 400 watt MH and a 400 watt HPS. This time I'm going to do close to 30 plants. I just bought a new house and I have a-lot of extra room. I'm going to use a 4 by 10 foot section in a spare bedroom in the basement. I just bought 2 1000 watt sun system HPS lights. I have DP femed Master Kush, DP Femed Twilight, DP Femed Orange Bud, and B.O.G's Lifesaver. I saw that B.O.G used Sams choice Magic Earth with fert .09-.06.05 2/3 cup blood meal and 2/3 cup bone meal, perlite, and dry lime mix. O.K this is were I need some help with what I got. I went to wal-mart and looked for the soil and could not find it. They did not have any soil at all. I did find the bone and blood meal. the bone meal is Pennington 6-12-0 the blood meal is Schultz Garden safe Natural organic 12-0-0. I found the perlite and the dry lime mix. So now with the soil this is were the problem comes in. I went to Lowes right next door to Wal-Mart and found Puresell's STA-Green professional smart soil potting mix with fert. it reads 13-.04.09? So my question is if this soil would be o.k? Any help would be great as the seeds have just started to show there tails.

[HardKnock]

Could I please just get some love.

[Captain Canibus]

I'm in the same boat. No gardening supplies. Go for it. I believe the first # is for Nitrogen. Correct me please if I'm wrong. Adjust the blood meal down a little to compensate. I've gone with Miricle gro in a pinch. With the seeds sprouted, your running out of time.

[selfprofider]

IMO the soil will be alright. There are certian things I like the soil to be and almost any can be conditioned for good growing. Texture is one if I don't think there is enough drainage I just add some prlight, not enough Organic matter add some peat I always add some lime to try stabilizing PH. Wal-Mart hasn't put out the spring inventory in my aream so I just go to the nuries and shop what they have. Sounds like you have a good plan going Just watch the PH and other signs of soil fertility. With experience a problem can be evaluated and taken care of quickly. Just pay attention to whats going on and learn all you can good luck and keep us updated on the grow. Later

[HardKnock]

Thanks guys. I started mixing the soil today I'll tell you what, the DWC buckets are much easier just add water and some nutes. It took me 3 hours to mix 20 6 inch pots of soil. I'm still waiting on the rest of my seeds B.O.G's Lifesaver and DP Orange Bud to do the other 10-20 not sure yet. It looks like I won't have a problem fitting 20 more in the space I have. I only have 1 1000 watt light running right now as I think that 2 would just be a waste of juice for vegging them. As soon as I get a new Dig camera I will update you guys with some pics, for anyone that cares.

[Captain Canibus]

You can get a soil ph meter for less than $10 usd.

[selfprofider]

I found a good way to mix soil is by using a 55 gal barrell , put all ingrdience in it and roll around for a while mixing 1/2 barrell isn't too hard by harnd but have used the lawnmower to push it around if i fill it 3/4 or so. Longer you roll the better you mix found it better than mixing by hand. For smaller amounts just use small barrell containers. One time I bought a cement mixer and worked real good but not all have access to that kind of eqip. Just can't stand mixing by hand and never seem to get good dispersion of all ingedients throughout the mix . Just some thoughts . Later

[Death]

I`m not sure you want to go with a soil with that high a nitrogen content,or any nutes in it at all.Can make it a little difficult to tweak your own nutrient regimen.Could possibly nutrient burn your plants,when adding your own nutrients.Try and find some sunshine mix#4.It will give you a good PH level,and has perlite premixed in it.

[HardKnock]

Where can you get the PH tester for soil for $10 Captin?

[HardKnock]

How can I tell what the nute ppm is in soil? I know hydro was a-lot easier I just bought a test pen you dip it in the water and it gives to a digital read out.