Super soil Prep

i don't know much about super soil but from what i read you would use a lid on the trash can, and then that should keep the bugs out.

A trash can works, just open it once in a while to let it breath

Originally Posted by PaulN'Chuck

Im making a batch of super soil and I read I need to leave it outside in the heat for 30 days. I planned on using a 45 gal trash can but Im worried about bugs. Any advice? Any way to avoid them?

I don't think the heat is necessary. You will want it not to be cold so the microbes stay active. By cooking the soil what you are really doing is letting the microbes in the soil break down the additives that are in the super soil so that they are available for your plants when you put them in the soil. If you don't do this, available nutrients can be lower as the microbes utilize available nitrogen to break down the organic material .

any chance Sub himself will chime in? Any other TGA member?

I leave mine in my garage where the temps usually stay in the mid 70's all summer except on the hottest days ( 95+ fahrenheit outside ambient temp ) where it reaches the mid 80's. My tops fit loosely so I sprinkle some diatomaceous earth around the lip and then cover with the lid and put a brick on top. I also usually leave it for two full months as I try to plan ahead so I am in no hurry for the finished soil. Most but not all pests are more interested in feeding on your plants not your soil.

Temps the soil will cook slow cold or fast hot your not going to kill microbial life it will go dormant during the breakdown process the rebound after. I am up in arms about leaving it outside I think it is a good thing but......here is what I have seen;

I leave mine in a 55 gallon drum outside open. I have all kinds of little critters crawling around my floor little spiders abound but only around the plants.

While I just had three plants break out with spider mites 1 with webs and 2 with just a couple creppy crawlies. I had a spider mite problem last year because I could not control the temps. I have a swamp cooler and I turned off the water do to humidity and I think that is when they got in. I also have a dog that occasionally sneaks in or I may not clean myself well enough after giving her needed attention. So that I belive is my fault regardless.

I just pulled them and have not had a problem since. I think all the other life is an ecosystem of checks and balances. With that said let me say something I just noticed. I make my soil and leave it out with the good bugs I have no complaints. Although I also then combine that soil with some more compost, cocoir, and ewc to thin it for cuttings. It was moist and I started getting the occasional gnat then masquitos in the coco. So the fresh moist mix goes inside.

Originally Posted by PaulN'Chuck

Im making a batch of super soil and I read I need to leave it outside in the heat for 30 days. I planned on using a 45 gal trash can but Im worried about bugs. Any advice? Any way to avoid them?

you can't avoid bugs. Mix a good amount of broken up mosquito dunks, coco coir(favorable to bacteria that feeds on larvae mouths) and DE into the mix. Use tea on regular basis or innoculants are even better. Add a layer of DE to the can after dispensing etc, you're a farmer now and you must think like one.

So it doesnt have to be outside??? If it can grow a web of good bacteria in room temperature I will just leave it inside. Anybody here leave their super soil indoors to cook?