Soil question

Susanne

Susanne

Well-Known Member
I need to know if I need to start with new soil each year.

In 2015, I started with new soil in 15 gal pots. I didn't plant in 2016, and 2017, I used the same pots/soil. Even with nutrients, I had severe problems. I also over fertilized, so I don't know if it was the soil to begin with (the leaves were yellowed and falling off, so I thought it was nitrogen deficient) and when messed up, it REALLY lost the leaves. So, I don't know if it was the soil or not.

So, last year, we started with new soil (this is 10 pots worth....).

My question: Do I need new soil again this year?? It's a lot of money, but if it's going to make a difference, I'll do it. The soil was Fox Farm (I think..eek). But, it was considered "hot" by others I talked to; that it had too many nutrients in it to begin with, so I wonder if it's better to start with "bare"/unfertilized soil.

Thanks for help in advance!

Hope everyone has a great year!
 
SatIndy

SatIndy

Well-Known Member
Hey Susanne :) To be clear, I am on my first grow & learning too. But I've watched a ton of videos and read a lot. The info I've gathered, is that soil is never re-used and simply recycled to the garden. And if there were problems with the soil before, you'd still have the same problems - so I'd start from scratch. I know, right? $$$ ;-)

As far as "bare"/unfertilized soil... I think that's the way to go. But, again, I don't have much experience and will watch this thread to see if anyone answers b/c I want to know too. :leaf:
 
18B

18B

Well-Known Member
Go to home Depot buy their sohum soil...just add non chlorinated water throughout...good to go until you can learn about soil, soilless, organic gardening vs synthetic gardening etc.
 
Aussieaceae

Aussieaceae

Well-Known Member
Susanne,

If you over fertilized with bottled nutrients, id say it'd be pretty hard to amend properly, without knowing exactly what's causing the problem.

If your soil went fine this time around, i'd consider adding 30% or so of quality compost, and a little more drainage. Probably a little lime too.

Good luck in the new grow.
 
Coloradoclear

Coloradoclear

Well-Known Member
So you need 150 gallons of soil (10 pots/15G). I am a soil grower myself and I recycle my potting soil into my garden soil. If this is an outdoor grow, you may be able to simple amend the existing native soil and plant directly into the native soil. You may also be able to find bulk or wholesale potting soil. You can do some research on making your own.
 
Coloradoclear

Coloradoclear

Well-Known Member
Just remember once soil goes outside it is never safe to bring back to your indoor grow without being sterilized. Outside bugs do AMAZING indoors . . . Another lesson learned the hard way!
 
Susanne

Susanne

Well-Known Member
Coloradoclear said:
Just remember once soil goes outside it is never safe to bring back to your indoor grow without being sterilized. Outside bugs do AMAZING indoors . . . Another lesson learned the hard way!
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I always grow outdoors. thanks, though. I just want to know if I can use the same soil from last year, or need to get fresh.
 
Coloradoclear

Coloradoclear

Well-Known Member
Susanne said:
I always grow outdoors. thanks, though. I just want to know if I can use the same soil from last year, or need to get fresh.
Click to expand...
From your post, you said that the soil has been over fertilized and produced a poor crop . . . I would not use that soil again.
 
lemmy714

lemmy714

Well-Known Member
Susanne said:
I need to know if I need to start with new soil each year.

In 2015, I started with new soil in 15 gal pots. I didn't plant in 2016, and 2017, I used the same pots/soil. Even with nutrients, I had severe problems. I also over fertilized, so I don't know if it was the soil to begin with (the leaves were yellowed and falling off, so I thought it was nitrogen deficient) and when messed up, it REALLY lost the leaves. So, I don't know if it was the soil or not.

So, last year, we started with new soil (this is 10 pots worth....).

My question: Do I need new soil again this year?? It's a lot of money, but if it's going to make a difference, I'll do it. The soil was Fox Farm (I think..eek). But, it was considered "hot" by others I talked to; that it had too many nutrients in it to begin with, so I wonder if it's better to start with "bare"/unfertilized soil.

Thanks for help in advance!

Hope everyone has a great year!
Click to expand...
Re-using soil is fine. A lot of people think the soil gets better as it gets older. However, it needs to be re-amended with nutrients and rock dust. I would also add some fresh compost/castings to the old soil as well. That being said, new soil will always be best.
 
Susanne

Susanne

Well-Known Member
lemmy714 said:
Re-using soil is fine. A lot of people think the soil gets better as it gets older. However, it needs to be re-amended with nutrients and rock dust. I would also add some fresh compost/castings to the old soil as well. That being said, new soil will always be best.
Click to expand...
Looks like I'm going to be springing for some new soil after all. My poor hubby won't be happy to know he has to lug out all those bags to the grow site once again :razz:. He doesn't even use it! Neither of us get "high" anymore, but I used cannabis for medical purposes..... nausea, pain and sleep mostly. So, growing it has been a blessing! I love trying new strains each year.

thanks for your thoughts :cool:
 
3AM

3AM

Well-Known Member
Susanne said:
Looks like I'm going to be springing for some new soil after all. My poor hubby won't be happy to know he has to lug out all those bags to the grow site once again :razz:. He doesn't even use it! Neither of us get "high" anymore, but I used cannabis for medical purposes..... nausea, pain and sleep mostly. So, growing it has been a blessing! I love trying new strains each year.

thanks for your thoughts :cool:
Click to expand...
Glad you found your solution. In the future, I'd recommend looking into No-Till and composting. Composting is a beautiful thing every soil grower should be doing (in my opinion) for several reasons and No-Till is good for reusing your soil. I prefer reamending my soil, but it'll get you to your endpoint and give you an idea for options.

Either way, good luck with your next grow!
 
18B

18B

Well-Known Member
3AM said:
Glad you found your solution. In the future, I'd recommend looking into No-Till and composting. Composting is a beautiful thing every soil grower should be doing (in my opinion) for several reasons and No-Till is good for reusing your soil. I prefer reamending my soil, but it'll get you to your endpoint and give you an idea for options.

Either way, good luck with your next grow!
Click to expand...
I agree 100%.
 
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