need a decent soil mix for outdoors.... i have available localy. at the big box stores perlite.... peatmoss...... manure compost... organic potting soil..... not MG blood and bone meal.... dynomite lime.. I"am thinking 50% potting soil 25%compost 12.5% peatmoss 12.5% perlite 10 cups each of blood and bone 10 cups of lime let it sit for 30 days? makeing about 80 gallons of soil does this sound correct? or if you have something better
What up Jones If you can get pumice instead of perlite without breaking your bank you may want to think about it. It weighs less than pumice so it costs less to ship, which is why it's cheaper but perlite tends to have high levels of natural fluoride, which end up leaching into the soil over time. Usually not too big of a concern for us with short cycle crops but it's something to think about, especially if you've seen plants with fluoride poisoning...yikes Other wise your mix look like a good start, don't forget some kind of kelp and alfalfa products-pretty much standard around here; and I'd grab some minerals and crustacean/oyster shell meals if can get 'em. A complete, diverse soil will contain all the necessary macro and trace nutrients and require nothing more than h2o and some teas every few weeks. ps- that seems like a bit too much lime to me but I'll see if someone else knows for sure. i use gypsum here in sd due to all the clay in my yards and have never really used too much lime. Have fun and happy growing!!!
You can add some Lava sand and also Green sand for minerals, too. It's what I use 10 Cups of either added to your mix sounds good Both are high in minerals and retain some moisture I add it to my compost and top-dress my lawn with it And here's the dry kelp meal I use
I"am sorry not lime i need gypsum..or somthgin to lower PH .... The local soil is sandy with clay, gray in color and solid... I"am planing on planting on the swamp edge.. the waters 7.3 .. should i cut my perlite in half? I"ll see about getting som kelp meal and alfaalfa meal.. how much per gallon.? or per CuFt? Thanks I appreciate the help. Ya I"am gonna look for some green sand.... and I"am gonna need to get a box of bat guano to make teas.. Thanks guys any input or advise is appreciated..