How to reused organic soil
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Richard Drysift
Well-Known Member
Start by adding compost, namely worm castings. That’s like the most important ingredient and the most overlooked. Then you’ll want to be sure you have some mineral inputs. Lots of options but if I was stranded on an island with only a few mineral inputs I would want to have on hand dolomite lime, crushed oyster shell, and garden gypsum. Thirdly you’ll want to add forms of fertilizer. Again there’s way too many to list but using the desert island analogy I would aquire blood meal, kelp meal, and fish bone meal along with some composted chicken and/or cow manure. About as basic as you can get.
Optionally and especially if it is the first time you are amending a previously bagged soil you can amend with more exotic minerals like soft rock phosphate, and glacial rock dust or basalt. These break down and release so slowly that amending with them each time is sort of like overkill. One time is enough to last for a year or more.
Optional fertilizer amendments that are worth acquiring are insect frass and neem seed meal. Frass has a very high value NPK for a small amount, & a little goes a long way. Neem is not only good N it can help deter leaf munchers like thrips when amended to the soil.
You want to add lots of things in small amounts. Diversity is almost more important than quantities. You do not have to be deadly accurate with ratios or amounts but try to choose one measure for consistency... let’s say something like 1/2 cup of each amendment for 30-40 gal of soil. I use handfuls; the amount I can grab without it falling through my fingers. The exceptions are compost and fertilizers like manure. You can put up to 1/3 of your mix as compost but that will probably make it real heavy so then you’ll want to add coco, perlite, vermiculite, and/or more base soil to lighten it up and reduce compaction. Some fertilizers are hotter than others so you’ll need to amend accordingly. Pay attention to npk values.
Once you have what you need dump the soil you want to recycle into a tote bin or similar vessel and toss it all in there. Turn it over with a shovel and be sure it is well hydrated. Let it set for 30 days “cook time” to normalize ph. Should be ready to use after a month. While it’s cooking you can give compost teas or even the sludge left over from brewing them to the recycling soil to maintain microbial activity but this is also optional.
Optionally and especially if it is the first time you are amending a previously bagged soil you can amend with more exotic minerals like soft rock phosphate, and glacial rock dust or basalt. These break down and release so slowly that amending with them each time is sort of like overkill. One time is enough to last for a year or more.
Optional fertilizer amendments that are worth acquiring are insect frass and neem seed meal. Frass has a very high value NPK for a small amount, & a little goes a long way. Neem is not only good N it can help deter leaf munchers like thrips when amended to the soil.
You want to add lots of things in small amounts. Diversity is almost more important than quantities. You do not have to be deadly accurate with ratios or amounts but try to choose one measure for consistency... let’s say something like 1/2 cup of each amendment for 30-40 gal of soil. I use handfuls; the amount I can grab without it falling through my fingers. The exceptions are compost and fertilizers like manure. You can put up to 1/3 of your mix as compost but that will probably make it real heavy so then you’ll want to add coco, perlite, vermiculite, and/or more base soil to lighten it up and reduce compaction. Some fertilizers are hotter than others so you’ll need to amend accordingly. Pay attention to npk values.
Once you have what you need dump the soil you want to recycle into a tote bin or similar vessel and toss it all in there. Turn it over with a shovel and be sure it is well hydrated. Let it set for 30 days “cook time” to normalize ph. Should be ready to use after a month. While it’s cooking you can give compost teas or even the sludge left over from brewing them to the recycling soil to maintain microbial activity but this is also optional.
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
Good advice as usual, just wondering why you never recommend pumice or lava rock?
Richard Drysift
Well-Known Member
I just don’t use pumice it’s lava rock because perlite is so cheap and easy to find but sure either is good for aeration.
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
I can only assume it's not red??
LMAO. Smile. We all could use one.
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
I'm guessing you're talking about the lava rock. I use this, but it's not cheap.
Premium Small Black Lava Rock for Gardening - Natural Soil Enhancement – BuildASoil
Enhance your garden soil with our premium Small Black Lava Rock, perfect for replacing perlite. Rich in nutrients, our natural lava rock dust promotes healthy plant growth, improves drainage, and aerates soil. Ideal for garden enthusiasts seeking organic and sustainable soil solutions.
buildasoil.com
I use more pumice though since it's a little cheaper. Both sizes.
Pumice for Sale - Bulk Pumice for Soil by BuildASoil
Use this pumice as direct replacement for perlite last longer than perlite and has more minerals. Pumice is a perfect addition to potting soil.
buildasoil.com
I also mix a little of either in with the EWC or compost when I top dress.
You can get $5 off going through this link in case someone want to order from them. It only works if you don't already have an account though.
BuildASoil: Organic Living Soil, Fertilizers, and Soil Amendments
Everything you need to grow no-till with organic living soil. Our mission is to support organic gardeners and to provide the best products and information on how to use them. We carry pre mixed super soil, living soil, organic soil fertilizers, organic water soluble nutrients, soil minerals...
i.refs.cc
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
$1/bag at wallyworld for natural grey. Beat it to 3/8" or smaller in a container wearing gloves and safety glasses. Way cheap and easy.I'm guessing you're talking about the lava rock. I use this, but it's not cheap.
Premium Small Black Lava Rock for Gardening - Natural Soil Enhancement – BuildASoil
Enhance your garden soil with our premium Small Black Lava Rock, perfect for replacing perlite. Rich in nutrients, our natural lava rock dust promotes healthy plant growth, improves drainage, and aerates soil. Ideal for garden enthusiasts seeking organic and sustainable soil solutions.
I use more pumice though since it's a little cheaper. Both sizes.
Pumice for Sale - Bulk Pumice for Soil by BuildASoil
Use this pumice as direct replacement for perlite last longer than perlite and has more minerals. Pumice is a perfect addition to potting soil.
I also mix a little of either in with the EWC or compost when I top dress.
You can get $5 off going through this link in case someone want to order from them. It only works if you don't already have an account though.
BuildASoil: Organic Living Soil, Fertilizers, and Soil Amendments
Everything you need to grow no-till with organic living soil. Our mission is to support organic gardeners and to provide the best products and information on how to use them. We carry pre mixed super soil, living soil, organic soil fertilizers, organic water soluble nutrients, soil minerals...
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
If your lava rock is actually feeding something it is due to contamination. Think about that a moment.I'm guessing you're talking about the lava rock. I use this, but it's not cheap.
Premium Small Black Lava Rock for Gardening - Natural Soil Enhancement – BuildASoil
Enhance your garden soil with our premium Small Black Lava Rock, perfect for replacing perlite. Rich in nutrients, our natural lava rock dust promotes healthy plant growth, improves drainage, and aerates soil. Ideal for garden enthusiasts seeking organic and sustainable soil solutions.
I use more pumice though since it's a little cheaper. Both sizes.
Pumice for Sale - Bulk Pumice for Soil by BuildASoil
Use this pumice as direct replacement for perlite last longer than perlite and has more minerals. Pumice is a perfect addition to potting soil.
I also mix a little of either in with the EWC or compost when I top dress.
You can get $5 off going through this link in case someone want to order from them. It only works if you don't already have an account though.
BuildASoil: Organic Living Soil, Fertilizers, and Soil Amendments
Everything you need to grow no-till with organic living soil. Our mission is to support organic gardeners and to provide the best products and information on how to use them. We carry pre mixed super soil, living soil, organic soil fertilizers, organic water soluble nutrients, soil minerals...
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
Show me the link.
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
What I paid last fall. Honest. I saw my local store was loading outdoor section in shipping containers in the parking lot today. Just plain lava rock.
And lava rock is inert. No nutritional value. Went to med coco-coire. Better aeration and nute stability.
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
If you don't have a link, it didn't happen.
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
Here's your link. The remnants of 5 bags of supposed natural wallyworld lava landscape rock.
You got a link? You got swindle most times.
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
That link isn't working for me, lol.
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
Only cause I'm bored. Do you have a link to that in action? Curious how $'s per pound lava is better than pennies per pound. Not that I foolishly use anymore. Actually the petunia plants drain well with it. But enlighten me to the over priced world of I honestly dont know. LMAO.
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
The black lava rock is actually $.80 per # if you buy the small bags. But I might need to put you back on the ignore list. You're not helping the OP, and neither am I at this point.
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
I'm helping. Avoid lava rock and sales pitches. Gave an easy proven fix. You gave what? Block yourself from corrupting any further grows. If you have a link it is because you lack the experience. Needed a link. I saw it on the net. First opinion I would chose. Then a flashy sales pop up? Ha Ha.
My sincerest apologies to the op. What is your medium and water supply. It matters to start. Then not so much unless tweeking nute uptake. Apologies again.
Rufus T. Firefly
Well-Known Member
If you make the right soil you don't need to amend.
Wattzzup
Well-Known Member
Bust out your soil recipe for us then. Thanks in advance.