Which Base For a Fresh Mix

[MindSoup]

Hello Chums 

 

I've been re using my soil for about a year now, and was having concerns about possible build up of carbonates and sodium etc as I have very hard water, after reading OT1s thread on re using compost it has confirmed that suspicion. So the time has come to grab a new bag.  

 

I do like the look of Big Rootz/Life Soil type products but they're expensive and I already have most of the amendments I need (Life Cycle, WCs, Biochar) so I'm looking for recommendations on a good base mix to start a fresh batch of super/living soil. I'd prefer something peat free although New Horizon and Sylva Grow have both left me a bit disappointed in the past, is there a better alternative out there? Peat content wouldn't be a complete deal breaker if it really is just the best option.  

 

I do have a big block of compressed coco as well if that serves any purpose. 

[Wooden Monkey]

@MindSoup can’t recommend this stuff enough 

 

 

[MindSoup]

@Wooden Monkey I was literally just on their website after seeing a link posted by OT1 .  Good to have some extra confirmation though because the idea of using wool seems really strange to me. I'll give it a go 

 

Edited December 14, 2021 by MindSoup

[Wooden Monkey]

Just now, MindSoup said:

@Wooden Monkey I was literally just on their website after seeing a link posted by OT1 .  Good to have some extra confirmation though because the idea of using wool seems really strange to me. I'll give it a go 

 

 

Beautiful bit of muck that, nice and rich and black. No wool in sight mate 

[Guest]

A second vote for the wool compost it's fantastic stuff. Have been using it in the garden for years.

[MindSoup]

Brilliant thanks guys. 

[chilled artist]

would that stuff be ok to use on its own??

[BilgePump]

Miracle gro all purpose peat free is the best I've come across so far at the garden centre (work) as far as straight out of the bag texture goes , haven't ph'd any yet though so it might be around 8 like sylva grow ( I somewhat doubt it though)

M.g premium is only 50% peat and fairly good with regards to results.

My issue with evergreen/miracle gro is the fact Scott's are bastards and I don't want to give them my money, they own levingtons too for reference purposes.

 

Westland's New Horizon is too hit and miss from pallet to pallet , one minute it's banging and then it's like dirty road scalpings 

 

I've been hearing things about composted wool as a growing media lately , the knit yer own cornflakes brigade who frequent the g.c have started asking for it , a quick oogle brings up a company called dalefoot , looks interesting they've got a pretty extensive range Inc specialist tomato compost *makes mental note*

 

I'm currently using 100% sphagnum moss peat formulation compost (in all honesty I've got about 450L stored in the dry waiting) but inevitableness dictates I'll have to make the swap in a few years regardless so it's all valuable research/info.

 

I wonder if the Coco content of a lot of these new peat free blends will see normal gardeners struggling with traditional feeds and amendments n suchlike? 

 

Edited December 14, 2021 by BilgePump
Left this unsent in the typing box for half an hour, oops

[MindSoup]

@chilled artist It does look to have quite a bit in it already, so I'll probably go easy on the Life Cycle, I imagine it would be fine to use on its own, but a bit of WCs and Biochar will help, add some mycorrhizal in the mix. 

Edited December 14, 2021 by MindSoup

[MindSoup]

@BilgePump look up 

 

How do you get on with the spagnum? Is MG organic? 

Edited December 14, 2021 by MindSoup

[BilgePump]

I did look up 

 

I actually love it mate , I'm using Erin malloy's multi purpose , it's cheap as fuck at £20 for 210L , it's got a similar texture to all mix minus the perlite.

 

I've tried a sedge peat blend (bord na Mona) but it's black and heavy , easily waterlogged and prone to compaction whereas this Erin sphag' is much more like moist Coco to handle but with a bit more texture and excellent drainage.

 

None of the mg blends are truly organic no, as in they don't come with soil association certification and some still have peat in them.

 

Sustainable media is a nightmare once you look at it in any depth , replacing peat with Coco for example can't be the green alternative we've been hoping for when you look at how much effort goes into processing it and the wider impact.

 

[MindSoup]

Yeah I have to agree with you on the coco, it's hardly much better, although it's not going to run out like pear I suppose. 

[DutchFox]

3 hours ago, MindSoup said:

Hello Chums 

 

I've been re using my soil for about a year now, and was having concerns about possible build up of carbonates and sodium etc as I have very hard water, after reading OT1s thread on re using compost it has confirmed that suspicion. So the time has come to grab a new bag.  

 

I do like the look of Big Rootz/Life Soil type products but they're expensive and I already have most of the amendments I need (Life Cycle, WCs, Biochar) so I'm looking for recommendations on a good base mix to start a fresh batch of super/living soil. I'd prefer something peat free although New Horizon and Sylva Grow have both left me a bit disappointed in the past, is there a better alternative out there? Peat content wouldn't be a complete deal breaker if it really is just the best option.  

 

I do have a big block of compressed coco as well if that serves any purpose. 

 

i assume you need the soil for indoor grow...

 

just safe the old soil ( with or without chem vertiliser thats no problem )

 

make this mix :

 

50% used or new potting soil

50% used or new coco

 

or if you have clay

 

45% used or new potting soil

45% used or new coco

10% clay into very small bits

 

then mix 1 teacup of dried chickenmanure with 10 liter soil.  ( no more and no less !!!  )

 

leave it in the garden in pots or a place in the garden.

 

your earth worms there will go in the soil because the rain will activate the dried manure and multiply.....if you do it now...by may ...you will have the best ever living soil money can buy  

 

and this soil competes with the best soil mixes there are in the shop....

 

its so simple and cheap....but some just dont beleave it  ....  

 

ps if you have 2 sets of pots....its easy to exchange after indoor cycle....  

ps the purpose of the coco is to bring air into the soil.

Edited December 14, 2021 by DutchFox

[MindSoup]

Hey @DutchFox funnily enough I was thinking I might just dump it on by GG plot as part of a no till bed with a bunch of that coco block and the soil beneath is clay so I can easily add a bit of that too. 

Edited December 14, 2021 by MindSoup

[Wooden Monkey]

@MindSoup what about just composing yourself?

 

I’ve been making my own for a couple of years now. I use everything from the kitchen apart from meat and dairy (but planning on trying bokishi Compost next year so I can use everything) also get coffee grounds from a local shop, ash from a neighbour off a wood burner and my fire pit, oak sawdust from a mate, shred all the brown cardboard that’s delivered to the house and I’ve got an electric chipper for everything from the garden plus grass clippings. The worms love it and it’s starting to look real good

 

 

Also a great way to get rid of root balls and stems etc……