First, a personal observation:
As I read thru the 'outdoor growing" posts here at IC, it is undeniable that over the years, the methods and styles of growing have changed immensely. One of the biggest changes IMO, is how we as growers, ultimately put our med plants into soil. There was a time when we planted med plants the same way we planted a vegetable garden. We tilled the soil or just dug a hole and planted the plants. Today, with so much more knowledge and technology available in regard to Cannibis, we have learned how to expedite and simplify the process and yet still maintain quantity & quality.
And in light of that, I give you: Container Growing. I suppose it was inevitable and necessary. Inevitable because with increased knowledge of the plant itself evolve products to take advantage and enhance that new found knowledge. Necessary simply because that is progress and progression is the name of any game.
Good or bad, simply stated, container growing is a method which removes, for the most part, the guess work from growing in the soil, literally located beneath our feet. While container growing isnt a slam dunk affair, it enables those who's gardening skills are limited, to buy a bag of soil and a container and at least have a fair shot at success. Or five bags and five containers or 10 bags and 10 containers and so on.
I guess what I'm saying is simply: Something's gained but something's lost.." You can work man-made soil in a container or dig a hole and work Mother Nature's soil. The first can be easier but still doesnt guarantee results but neither does working Mother Nature's soil. But, working Mother Nature's soil can give a sense of satifaction knowing youre doing something man has been doing since time began and that's something that doesnt come in a bag of soil...I find that thought pretty cool. Maybe not too realistic with where we're at today sure, but still, pretty cool...CC
So, onward, upward and down to business-
Tweaking The Plan:
Well, fast forward to April 30 and the above "plan" is undergoing some "tweakage". It would appear some of my estimations and assumptions were premature and a few were directly associated with simply 'talking outta my ass"...Sorry, no other way to put it...The only thing going according to plan right now is the first part about the sun. I got that right. As far as the rest, it's turning out to be pure babble...lol
Sleepy Hollow has some short comings. 1st-Rocks, rocks rocks! 3' x 3' holes will not be possible. I'm backing off to 2'-6" x 2'-6". I know 6' doesnt sound like much but trust me, in this crap, it's a lot.
Test holes reveal another issue. At apprx 2' depth, along with the rocks, the soil is predominately clay. Not quite pottery quality but dang close. I had hoped to mix the native soil from the holes with Pro-Mix (50/50) thereby minimizing bag soil costs and usage but the holes may have to be 100% Pro-Mix. And, with all the rocks in the hole sides, I'm going to line the holes with landscape fabric. If not done, I'm concerned the lateral roots will suffer from restriction. In essence, it will be a container in the ground. I can live with that.
The good news is (I think): There is a natural spring on my property located apprx 100 yards from Sleepy Hollow and it flows underground down the hill side, to the seasonal creek bed. While I was aware of the spring, I had no idea it seeped that far. I discovered this after digging one of the test holes to a depth of 2'-6". The next morning, the hole sides were wet with about a 1/2 cup full of water lying at the bottom. This may be a really good thing if the seepage amount remains constant thru the summer. That is, if a sample from the spring itself doesnt reveal any nasties in the water. it goes without saying, that would suck majorly.
More later.....CC
As I read thru the 'outdoor growing" posts here at IC, it is undeniable that over the years, the methods and styles of growing have changed immensely. One of the biggest changes IMO, is how we as growers, ultimately put our med plants into soil. There was a time when we planted med plants the same way we planted a vegetable garden. We tilled the soil or just dug a hole and planted the plants. Today, with so much more knowledge and technology available in regard to Cannibis, we have learned how to expedite and simplify the process and yet still maintain quantity & quality.
And in light of that, I give you: Container Growing. I suppose it was inevitable and necessary. Inevitable because with increased knowledge of the plant itself evolve products to take advantage and enhance that new found knowledge. Necessary simply because that is progress and progression is the name of any game.
Good or bad, simply stated, container growing is a method which removes, for the most part, the guess work from growing in the soil, literally located beneath our feet. While container growing isnt a slam dunk affair, it enables those who's gardening skills are limited, to buy a bag of soil and a container and at least have a fair shot at success. Or five bags and five containers or 10 bags and 10 containers and so on.
I guess what I'm saying is simply: Something's gained but something's lost.." You can work man-made soil in a container or dig a hole and work Mother Nature's soil. The first can be easier but still doesnt guarantee results but neither does working Mother Nature's soil. But, working Mother Nature's soil can give a sense of satifaction knowing youre doing something man has been doing since time began and that's something that doesnt come in a bag of soil...I find that thought pretty cool. Maybe not too realistic with where we're at today sure, but still, pretty cool...CC
So, onward, upward and down to business-
Tweaking The Plan:
Well, fast forward to April 30 and the above "plan" is undergoing some "tweakage". It would appear some of my estimations and assumptions were premature and a few were directly associated with simply 'talking outta my ass"...Sorry, no other way to put it...The only thing going according to plan right now is the first part about the sun. I got that right. As far as the rest, it's turning out to be pure babble...lol
Sleepy Hollow has some short comings. 1st-Rocks, rocks rocks! 3' x 3' holes will not be possible. I'm backing off to 2'-6" x 2'-6". I know 6' doesnt sound like much but trust me, in this crap, it's a lot.
Test holes reveal another issue. At apprx 2' depth, along with the rocks, the soil is predominately clay. Not quite pottery quality but dang close. I had hoped to mix the native soil from the holes with Pro-Mix (50/50) thereby minimizing bag soil costs and usage but the holes may have to be 100% Pro-Mix. And, with all the rocks in the hole sides, I'm going to line the holes with landscape fabric. If not done, I'm concerned the lateral roots will suffer from restriction. In essence, it will be a container in the ground. I can live with that.
The good news is (I think): There is a natural spring on my property located apprx 100 yards from Sleepy Hollow and it flows underground down the hill side, to the seasonal creek bed. While I was aware of the spring, I had no idea it seeped that far. I discovered this after digging one of the test holes to a depth of 2'-6". The next morning, the hole sides were wet with about a 1/2 cup full of water lying at the bottom. This may be a really good thing if the seepage amount remains constant thru the summer. That is, if a sample from the spring itself doesnt reveal any nasties in the water. it goes without saying, that would suck majorly.
More later.....CC
