My first 3 years growing (other than back in the 80’s/90’s) were on a 3rd floor northern-facing balcony. I used buckets filled with a mix of potting soil, manure, black earth, anything that I thot looked good. Perlite? Na. Check pH levels? What are they? Once in a while I’d give them that Miracle Grow blue stuff, 20-20-20. Just planted the clones and let them grow. And they did. Wasn’t ideal growth, but ended up with smokable weed.
Wasn’t until the mid-way thru the 3rd year that I joined a forum and started to realize that you can optimize your grows with cannabis-specific nutes and lights and soils and…and…and it never ends!
Do all of the above what the others have suggested - solid advice from some great growers. But if you really can’t afford much, just go with what you got! You will learn a lot, with end up with something to smoke in the fall, and then you can plan and save for next year’s plants. I would suggest starting your seeds in smaller pots with a “mild” soil mix so you don’t burn the seedlings, and once they have established a good root system then you can transplant them into the hotter soil.
Just think of all the guerilla growers who plant out in the woods, bet they don’t spend a ton of time or money on soils and nutes!
Thank you everyone for all the advice and kind words. I’m searching online to see if I can find a big bag of perlite that’s affordable, but if not I will use everyone advice here.
I noticed that coco coir is pretty cheap, is that something that can be mixed into soil for better drainage?
Coco is inert and has a different pH need than soil. Soil is 6.2-6.8 and Coco is 5.6-6.2. Soil is drench to drought, and coco is daily watering and feeding in the correct amounts.
Coco and soil do not play well together. You could go the all Coco route if it is an affordable option for you.
Hey @Fishi is this for an outdoor grow or indoor? I assumed outdoor since you need a lot of soil. And how many plants are you thinking of growing? In pots or in the ground (sounds like in ground to me)?
Gromie, dont be embarrassed, you are not the only broke grower on here. I actually was about to add some of the yellow and white bags of composted manure to my grow spot. Now im second guessing. I did it last year with pretty dang good results, but i didnt use a whole lot.
I grow in the ground and i added 1 bag of compsted manure to my soil before planting . My first successful grow. I topdress with homemade compost ,and worm castings. And also brew teas to feed. The cheapest way i have found and for me, works great. Thanks for all your advice. I hope many growers follow it.
I’ve used all but the last pic. @Fishi
The green bags are loaded with peat and acidic.
The cow is not aged very much and is loaded with urea. I let mine sit a season before use.
The top soil is a good way to add organic material and minerals for drainage and nutrient uptake. Helps soil to absorb moisture
$35/yd hear for sandy loam.
We prep out spots in the Fall usually. That way the sodium in the manure has time to dissipate and manure enrich the soil.
I’ve found a large bag of perlite that’s affordable that I can mix with my other soil. It will cost a bit more overall, but I decided it’s worth the extra cost.
I agree with @Budbrother if you mix it with your compost while your making it so it can brake more down with all the good stuff but I wouldn’t mix straight with planting medium
