I just picked up some compost, and the compost I got is made out of leaves, so it's pretty much 100% brown material. Can anyone suggest a good bacterial additive to add to my garden to increase the amount of bacteria in my soil? Also can anyone tell me how much of the bacterial additive I would add to my soil? I'm just worried that my plants won't thrive in my soil mix because they prefer bacteria-dominated soils rather than fungally-dominated soils. Thanks. Also, would 5L of perlite be enough for about 12 gallons of soil mix, or should I pick up another 5L bag of it?
Pretty much any dry amendment you add will get broken down by bacteria, at least partialy. Alfalfa or soy meal would be my first choice as long as I had time to let it cook for a bit. If I was in a hurry, kelp or neem meal. In a perfect world, you could probably use 2 parts of your compost, 1 part perlite or whatever you chose for aeration, and then amendments from the 'No till' mix in the amounts they list. *I don't think that whole fungal dominated/ bacteria dominated theory really holds water. I have grown some real nice plants in leafmold only, with no amendments. I think a soil with healthy populations of both fungi and bacterium is the right answer. For the record, I use home made leaf mold instead of peat. cheers os
In truth you need to be very clear what soil you bought as theirs many claims even on your local market true I've used perlite in many of my organic grows as its inert, but by far sand and gravel is far better as you get the free (P) when released ..lol Leafmold is a great organic start, just ensure its well broken before use I'll take all the fungi dom soils you have thanks good luck
That's interesting what you say about the fungally/bacteria dominated soils. I guess I don't have a reason for concern then. I read that in a book that people here recommended, so I just assumed that it was 100% accurate. And perlite costs a lot more than the compost that they sell locally, so I think I'm going to go light on the perlite. I think I'll buy 3 more 5L bags of it for my total of 24 gallons of soil mix. I don't wanna scrimp but this is a budget attempt at growing for me and my friend.
Ive used a compost that was mostly brown leaves and grass clippings in my soil mixes with great success. Although its mostly carbon brown material im sure there are plenty of Bacteria already present. To increase bacterial colonies try inoculating with EWC and add in some food (amendments) for the microbes. Keeping the pile moist and making sure there good airflow and oxygen will help provide good environment for the microbial life begin to colonize. If you really wanna get ambitious brew an ACCT and water your pile. Goodluck Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
You might be sourcing perlite from the wrong place. I get HUGE 4cf bags of #2 and #4 sized perlite for $18.00. Sent from my SM-N960U using Grasscity Forum mobile app
Well, I could take a look around. When I was picking up this perlite, I was thinking of budget, and I didn't really think that I would need more. I might be able to get a better deal on a bigger bag of it, but I very highly doubt that I would be able to get that good of a deal on it. Edit: Could you tell me where you get that deal, so I can see if there's a store like that in Canada that I can look for? That kind of a deal will be pretty helpful, because I'm not sure how much soil I'll have to replenish every run that doesn't shake off the rootball.
I tried those websites, but there isn't a lowes in my city, home depot doesn't have it, the other two are american, and canadian tire is where I got it before, and they only have an 8.8 L bag for $7.99. That's still technically cheaper than the deal I got though.
^^^THAT^^^ By the way, that's not a "deal", $18-$20 is the normal cost for a 4CF bag. ASK at feed stores or Landscape supply places or even building/contractor supply places (perlite is also used as insulation). You need to ask, because, even if they can get it, they rarely have it out on display because the bags take up a lot of floor/shelf space and slow movers to boot. I made a casual comment to my feed store owner about bags of vermiculite he had, but no perlite. He goes, the vermiculite was for regular customers that bought 5bags/month and how many bags of perlite did I want? He could add it to his weekly order from the distributor and get it the next week @$19/4cf bag. I bought 2 and order 2 more when the second bag is 1/2 gone. Those 5L bags from the garden shop will eat you alive $$$wise. Wet
Makes sense. I might go that route if I can find a way to transport it. The only ride I have is a bike and the staffers that work at the place I'm living at have started to bitch about how we shouldn't be getting things for "free".
LOL... Can't help with transportation or housing, just advice on where to look. I will admit that finding the 4cf bags of perlite was the most difficult thing to source when I moved from SoFl (greenhouse/orchid supply place), to SC, but eventually I got there. You will also. Wet
You can buy pumice which is like perlite at bulk soil places where you can buy wood chips, compost, top soil etc by the yard. It’s advertised as small white popcorn. Cost for me is $10 a half yard of $15 for a full yard. I bring a tarp and then just use the tarp to slide it into garbage cans to store. It will fly out of the truck so bring something to tie it down. Luckily I live a half mile away.
That’s awesome deal if i could get pumice by the yard id jump on that. I can get mulch, compost and woodchips by the yard but pumice/perlite and peat ive had to get in bags. Peat i use come in 3.5 c/f bales and is Canadian sphagnum. The perlite or pumice usually 4cuft bags.$18/ 4cf bag seems to be the standard no matter where i go.