OLDSCHOOL58 Magic Organic Mix for 5-gallon Buckets 3 parts Canadian sphagnum peat mix, coco coir or Pro-Mix 1 part large chunky perlite 1 part worm castings 1/2 cup greensand 1/2 cup of dolomite lime 1/3 cup of Peruvian seabird guano 1/4 cup Epsom salts Mix it all together and soak it all down for at least a day or two before you plan to use it to get all the contents blended up and oxygenated. It should be wet throughout but not over-saturated. The first few waterings should be done with plain water as the fresh planting mix is fairly "hot" (nutrient-rich). Let water sit out for at least 24 hours to evaporate chlorine that will kill off your beneficial microbes. Airstones at the bottom of the bucket with an air pump will speed up this process as well.
OLDSCHOOL58 Organic Teas Early on, a compost tea is perfect for both watering and foliar spraying. Fill a nylon stocking with your chosen ingredients, which can include compost, guanos from both seabirds and bats and a little bit of molasses to feed the microorganisms. Fill the bucket with water and use an air pump and air stone bubblers to oxygenate the water for a few hours (this helps remove chlorine and other potential pollutants). Now, dunk the nylon sock into the water and steep for two days while stirring occasionally and allowing the airstones to bubble throughout the process to keep everything aerobic (oxygenated). Now you’re ready to use the tea. Let it sit for a half hour or so to settle and then strain it into another bucket. You can feed this tea directly to the plants roots by saturating the growing mix in your buckets and/or spray the leaves for the added benefit of suppressing foliar diseases. Use the tea immediately. for an hour or so
