My “Supersoil” Compost Mixture (never fails over 30 yrs)

[freebird919]

Ok, I never do this but y’all have been more than kind. Of coarse you can find most of this anywhere on the net but I think I have a few secrets to add.

Ingredients: soil from undisturbed woodlands (get as much as you can). Soil with thick rotted leaves and bark. If you sink into it while walking, you found it. You can also find businesses to deliver but carefully inspect and ask questions about where obtained and investigate and verify. Huge amounts of coffee grounds (your own, friends & family then truckloads (in time) from Starbucks, and others). Seek out farmer granting you aged manure (just about any, rabbit, hoarse, cow and pig). Yours, family & friends appropriate kitchen clean veg waste (any others from yard and garden) adding always! Huge amounts of maple leaves chopped, weed whipped or otherwise (or other leaves but NOT oak). Old wood chips (just enough to add brown). Some branches (to add oxygen in). Turn it all regularly for a month or two then add gallons of worms (red and nightcrawlers). Water when extremely dry (worms need it to breathe). Keep turning without too much disturbance to worms (they’re eating, pooping and breading). Add any ingredients of plant life rotten or otherwise, bone meal, blood meal, black cow (these found “on sale”) tea bags, pig bread (obtained from bakery discard) & etc. The more differing ingredient type (diversification) the better. Time, heat, rain.
My piles are so large they’d take a large backhoe to turn but that’s the worms job, for the most part now. When done this way, or better, you have SUPER SOIL (my way) and in any amount you choose. And I could tell you but you’d think I’m exaggerating how big my plants get and how they produce. It’s real. This is one case where bigger is better, if you can, or find a friend or family member where you can pile and experiment. Edit: Biochar, my woods usually need cleaning and hardwood branches and some trees are burnt leaving some small burnt chips. Add them in with small amounts to the turning and you’ve just added biochar.

Do this and you get this w/no to little nutes. Still have to see later in grow. It’s my first of this kind.

 

[carlosescobar]

why do we grow in stuff with wood chips ? what are benefits, all i know is that anything wood will hold onto a lot of calcium,
looks good by the way, I am thinking of creating something a bit more loaded.

 

[freebird919]

why do we grow in stuff with wood chips ? what are benefits, all i know is that anything wood will hold onto a lot of calcium,
looks good by the way, I am thinking of creating something a bit more loaded.

Good compost must have brown. Doesn’t have to be chips it’s just I almost always have very old chips around and only add in the minuscule. They also add oxygen in their bulk. It’s like, the more proper variety, the better. Just like in nature. Copy nature always! Then be smart and let hundreds of reds and European crawlers do the work. But rest assured, doing as I do is real work. I mean work (better if you have machinery). If after doing all I say and what you know, add bone meal, blood meal & etc. I do whatever I think necessary and when done, thirty years of growing extremely successfully (I’m being just truthful, that’s all), the recipe works! You realize I’m writing about compost right? I pretty much sift everything out before planting!

 

[Ninjadogma]

why do we grow in stuff with wood chips ? what are benefits, all i know is that anything wood will hold onto a lot of calcium,
looks good by the way, I am thinking of creating something a bit more loaded.

Wood chips are bad. Bark fines are good. They provide structure, help keep coco and peat from collapsing and improve lateral water movement to prevent pocketing, and they increase oxygenization in the root zone. They also support the biome. Fungi love feeding on lignin.

I use EB Stone Soil Conditioner Mix as a source of my bark fines. There's no nutrients in it besides what the fines produce decomposing... It's strictly for structure and performance.

 

[the rrock]

Are the bugs a byproduct that comes with the soil or just there.Do you do anykind of root drench to kill the eggs/larvae or Were they already there. Im growing outdoors now and gonna use soil from an old growth redwood forest,Ive been growing steadily since 78' and this will be a first(alot of ash in soil as there was the CZU fire 6`-7 years ago) any thoughts as the soil is really spongy from centuries of old redwoods decay.

 

[orggrwr]

Why do you not use Oak leaves? I use leaves from the woods around my house which are mixed hardwood but probably around 50% Oak in various stages of decay. Never had a problem. Just curious about your reason for not using them

 

[freebird919]

Wood chips are bad. Bark fines are good. They provide structure, help keep coco and peat from collapsing and improve lateral water movement to prevent pocketing, and they increase oxygenization in the root zone. They also support the biome. Fungi love feeding on lignin.

I use EB Stone Soil Conditioner Mix as a source of my bark fines. There's no nutrients in it besides what the fines produce decomposing... It's strictly for structure and performance.

Probably is bad in planting. Yes, don’t do it. Very small, old & crumbly amounts w/yes, bark in compost with all else, turning, lots of time (sometimes a year), sun, warmth, rain and add those worms! When ready to plant, screen it. It’s not rocket science, it’s copying nature. K.I.S.S. method.

 

[freebird919]

Why do you not use Oak leaves? I use leaves from the woods around my house which are mixed hardwood but probably around 50% Oak in various stages of decay. Never had a problem. Just curious about your reason for not using them

If that’s all you have, fine. Just takes twice or more the time for decomposition due to tannin and structure. They resist decomposition. Maple & others so much faster! Worms love them almost as much as banana peals!

 

[freebird919]

Are the bugs a byproduct that comes with the soil or just there.Do you do anykind of root drench to kill the eggs/larvae or Were they already there. Im growing outdoors now and gonna use soil from an old growth redwood forest,Ive been growing steadily since 78' and this will be a first(alot of ash in soil as there was the CZU fire 6`-7 years ago) any thoughts as the soil is really spongy from centuries of old redwoods decay.

I’m so far removed from that area all my life, I can’t testify about that. First thing I’d do is check ph, get in touch with locals & internet research. It’s an interesting question. I helped build a three story A-frame (5,000 some sq ft) in Gold Beach, OR and hiked around woods finding felled trees in creeks with branches growing out of them like trees. Couldn’t kill’em. I think it’s probably quite doable. Thing with living soil & compost, it almost has to have variety in the build. Nature does nothing with single, simple design. She’s complex. Real good, built with complexity compost/living soil is the same. K.I.S.S., copy nature. Hope you find out!

 

[orggrwr]

Cool. I just take a rake into the woods and and collect the leaves so a lot of it is already partially decomposed. Also sure to get some good leaf mold in with it. Mix in some grass clippings and whatever scraps and weeds i have. In warm weather it usually takes around 2 months for usable compost. I use a lot so I usually have 2 piles going. As soon as one is ready I start another. My biggest problem is raccoons and the occasional bear digging through it for the fruit and veggie scraps. More than once I have gone out to find my compost pile spread all over the place.

 

[grayoldnproud]

Cool. I just take a rake into the woods and and collect the leaves so a lot of it is already partially decomposed. Also sure to get some good leaf mold in with it. Mix in some grass clippings and whatever scraps and weeds i have. In warm weather it usually takes around 2 months for usable compost. I use a lot so I usually have 2 piles going. As soon as one is ready I start another. My biggest problem is raccoons and the occasional bear digging through it for the fruit and veggie scraps. More than once I have gone out to find my compost pile spread all over the place.

If you have a chipper, use it. The increased surface area of the smaller pieces help expedite the decomp process. @Ninjadogma makes great point!

 

[Hossgrows]

Most good greenhouse/nurseries will have a woodland mix like u speak of, than can be purchased by the truck load. Then u amend it to your liking.

I just dig holes and mix the dirt with peat moss, composted manure, fish carcasses, kitchen scraps, bio char from burning brush and smoker, grass clippings, and leaves from my maple tree (tilled in each spring)

This year I'm trying ProMix BX, instead of the peat moss.

Here's this years seedlings growing in ProMix BX. 7 weeks old today
Nutes... Miracle grow, dry organic

No fungus gnats or pathogens

I'm too old for all that running around. And, usually too stoned to want to. . Rock on brother

 

[freebird919]

Are the bugs a byproduct that comes with the soil or just there.Do you do anykind of root drench to kill the eggs/larvae or Were they already there. Im growing outdoors now and gonna use soil from an old growth redwood forest,Ive been growing steadily since 78' and this will be a first(alot of ash in soil as there was the CZU fire 6`-7 years ago) any thoughts as the soil is really spongy from centuries of old redwoods decay.

Forgot about question. Yes, there’s going to be bugs. They like the compost. Some use extreme chemicals (at least I think so) to rid the soil. But take the necessary time, build heat, and after long term, nothing much left for gnats. Yes, you’ll still have some cause you’re going to keep adding mass to compost. I take at least a year, sometimes two building the perfect soil. Then I deal with remaining bugs by stickers, fly catchers and squishing a few. Never been a real hassle for me. I think it’s the time I take. Long term thinking. Just the way it is. Sorry, doesn’t seem to answer that. Just my area, my conditions and my build ingredients?

 

[freebird919]

If you have a chipper, use it. The increased surface area of the smaller pieces help expedite the decomp process. @Ninjadogma makes great point!

grayokdnproud has it down. Takes time, copy nature. Get to Starbucks and get those coffee grounds. Trust me, coffee grounds!

 

[freebird919]

Most good greenhouse/nurseries will have a woodland mix like u speak of, than can be purchased by the truck load. Then u amend it to your liking.

I just dig holes and mix the dirt with peat moss, composted manure, fish carcasses, kitchen scraps, bio char from burning brush and smoker, grass clippings, and leaves from my maple tree (tilled in each spring)

This year I'm trying ProMix BX, instead of the peat moss.

Here's this years seedlings growing in ProMix BX. 7 weeks old today
Nutes... Miracle grow, dry organic View attachment 2633823
No fungus gnats or pathogens

I'm too old for all that running around. And, usually too stoned to want to. . Rock on brother

Love your style and approach. It works!

 

[freebird919]

Most good greenhouse/nurseries will have a woodland mix like u speak of, than can be purchased by the truck load. Then u amend it to your liking.

I just dig holes and mix the dirt with peat moss, composted manure, fish carcasses, kitchen scraps, bio char from burning brush and smoker, grass clippings, and leaves from my maple tree (tilled in each spring)

This year I'm trying ProMix BX, instead of the peat moss.

Here's this years seedlings growing in ProMix BX. 7 weeks old today
Nutes... Miracle grow, dry organic View attachment 2633823
No fungus gnats or pathogens

I'm too old for all that running around. And, usually too stoned to want to. . Rock on brother

It’s true nurseries have, but that for my soil it’s just the very beginning and a year at least in the making. No chemicals and no nutrients.

 

[orggrwr]

If you have a chipper, use it. The increased surface area of the smaller pieces help expedite the decomp process. @Ninjadogma makes great point!

Yeah for the leaves and stuff I put them in an old trashcan and grind them up with a weed eater, don't have a chipper unfortunately.

 

[orggrwr]

Forgot about question. Yes, there’s going to be bugs. They like the compost. Some use extreme chemicals (at least I think so) to rid the soil. But take the necessary time, build heat, and after long term, nothing much left for gnats. Yes, you’ll still have some cause you’re going to keep adding mass to compost. I take at least a year, sometimes two building the perfect soil. Then I deal with remaining bugs by stickers, fly catchers and squishing a few. Never been a real hassle for me. I think it’s the time I take. Long term thinking. Just the way it is. Sorry, doesn’t seem to answer that. Just my area, my conditions and my build ingredients?

I don't have much problem with soil pests either. Natural compost outside will definitely have the bad bugs but also the predators that keep their numbers in check.

 

[freebird919]

Yeah for the leaves and stuff I put them in an old trashcan and grind them up with a weed eater, don't have a chipper unfortunately.

Yep, sometimes do the same. Lately, for a few years, I compile very large piles, 5 feet tall, 8 feet round, (many trees around yard and then there’s the woods) and take the whipper to the piles. End up with a bit bigger than tea grounds. Almost. It’s all good but those remain quite dry over time without rain. And we’ve been in drought over the years. Have to water compost piles! What? Yep. Why? To keep it all working but also for worms. They need water to breath.

 

[freebird919]

I don't have much problem with soil pests either. Natural compost outside will definitely have the bad bugs but also the predators that keep their numbers in check.

Exactly! Try to explain that to ppl who buy the stuff instead or have not the patience or time it takes to do it right. Can’t blame anyone. Lots of work and ppl be busy. It’s a hobby for me. Such truly wonderful stuff!