Ok, I know higher quality soil would be ideal, but stuff be getting expensive anymore and I feel I’ve graduated from dependence on augmented soil (ffof) to just using regular soil and jacks321 now that I’m almost out of the Fox Farms stuff…
Here’s the real question…I bought a couple of bags of cheaper soil from Dollar General ( no added anything i.e. fertilizers) and intend to just use the jacks from the get go
As long as the soil is relatively free of twigs and bark and all that crap, I should be fine using it since I have the jacks 321?
Do a slurry test before using it and see how hot it is. I’m in FFOF currently. I used it just so I could use Jack’s when the PPM’s get under 1000, but still not there.
Coco Coir
Its reusable and with Jacks 321 its a perfect match.
I have bought the same soil in a different brand and it dries out very fast. That regional mix soil is sold under several different brands. If you wind up using it add a bunch of perlite to prevent caking. I have some herbs in it outside and it needs water every day. Indoors might do better.
Go to your local agricultural extension agent and see what they charge for a soil test. It used to be free years ago probably not now.
But they can tell you exactly whats in it and what you should amend.
You can do like @Spiney_norman said. Coco coir isn’t expensive. A 2 pack of Canna bricks will do 3 or 4 - 5 gallon pots. You can wash it after harvest and reuse it. It is feeding every (other) day, though. The start the plants get is incredible though. You can expand it with full strength Jack’s 321 and it’s the same feed ratio every watering.
My big worry would be if it is buffered in the correct PH range for cannabis. Doing a slurry test for both TDS and PH will tell you about all you need to know. You may have to add some dolomitic lime or maybe nothing at all.
My seedlings have doubled in size (in half the time) compared to beginners (started 3 weeks earlier), when I found and started using FFOS. New digital PH pen is awesome. Those two factors are important, I am learning.
I’m on 3rd grow with my coco gonna get new after this run tho but before u do any planting inside I’d moisten the soil and bake it in the oven at like 200° for like 45 mins to make sure there r no unwanted pests gonna hatch on u. If I was u I’d see about getting a small bag of perlite to add to it so it does not become one big ole clump on u and the roots can breathe a bit better. I have some stuff here I planned on using on a grow with @MeEasy but I believe it’ll be too much to send it to u to use and if have to wait it out a few weeks to let it all get going in the soil. Wonder how much it would cost to ship like 8 plus pounds to u from Michigan. It’s earth dust kit u can amend the soil and let it bake before planting.
