Bigger holes are much better?

Phreakshow · Mar 15, 2025

I've never made large holes for my plants. At least not significantly large. Though I know it's small I was planning on making a cubic foot holes this year to see if my plants perform any better. My question is how do you prep 4 cubic feet of soil? I bag at a time in a large tote? I will be using Gaia Green for nutes supplemented with worm castings and some bat guano. I will be using Happy Frog soil with perlite. Also
I'm mentally challenged (or just generally to stoned) to figure out how big a hole I need width and depth wise. Be interesting to see how this affects growth.

BearWater · Mar 15, 2025

I like using a tote to mix.

Are you talking holes for an outdoor plant?

LoveGrowingIt · Mar 15, 2025

Phreakshow said:
I'm mentally challenged (or just generally to stoned) to figure out how big a hole I need width and depth wise.

The best size depends on the structure of the surrounding soil. Does it drain well (percolation)? For example, a larger hole might be better with clay soil that doesn't pass water well. Is the soil fertile, like loam? Has the soil been worked previously or is it undisturbed earth?

Phreakshow · Mar 15, 2025

BearWater said:
I like using a tote to mix.

Are you talking holes for an outdoor plant?

Yes outdoors.

Phreakshow · Mar 15, 2025

LoveGrowingIt said:
The best size depends on the structure of the surrounding soil. Does it drain well (percolation)? For example, a larger hole might be better with clay soil that doesn't pass water well. Is the soil fertile, like loam? Has the soil been worked previously or is it undisturbed earth?

My soil is not very fertile. It just seems like really rocky dirt. Soil is undisturbed. It's pretty baren really. Very little to no grass at all. Wouldn't the rock in the soil help with drainage. Its just new holes I'm making hoping i can somehow get more sun. I grew two 6 and a half foot plants last year along with two 5' plants that were wide. I dont expect to get taller really just more full bodied plants. My results are already pretty fair so far. This will be my second year in dirt not pots.

BearWater · Mar 15, 2025

Phreakshow said:
Yes outdoors.

I had my trench dug at about 2.5 feet wide and about 3 feet deep. Then that got back filled with the “growers mix”.

Galgrows · Mar 15, 2025

If i were to do that ( which i won't to damn old ) i'd lay a large tarp out and dump the ingrediants on it and mix. Dig you damn big hole LOL if it's decent soil mix it with your new ingrediants. Have fun and be prepared for 12ft trees.

Galgrows · Mar 15, 2025

Lots of my old friends did that and dealt with large amounts of composted poop and soil mixes along with rock for air. But also comes with big work to keep those plants healthy in flower. Everyone loves seeing them but very few find the work it takes " fun "

Phreakshow · Mar 15, 2025

Galgrows said:
If i were to do that ( which i won't to damn old ) i'd lay a large tarp out and dump the ingrediants on it and mix. Dig you damn big hole LOL if it's decent soil mix it with your new ingrediants. Have fun and be prepared for 12ft trees.

My 6+ foot plants were hard to keep an eye on. I dont want to have to use a ladder to check them. I dont want Redwoods I want pine trees. Maybe I'll go for 1 plant in a bigger hole and see what I come up with. Sounds more conservative by what you say.

LoveGrowingIt · Mar 15, 2025

Phreakshow said:
My soil is not very fertile. It just seems like really rocky dirt. Soil is undisturbed. It's pretty baren really. Very little to no grass at all. Wouldn't the rock in the soil help with drainage. Its just new holes I'm making hoping i can somehow get more sun. I grew two 6 and a half foot plants last year along with two 5' plants that were wide. I dont expect to get taller really just more full bodied plants.

You can get an idea of the "perc" by digging a small hole and filling it with water. Watch to see how fast the water drains out of the hole. That will tell you how porous the soil is.

The main problem with rocky soil is it's hard to dig by hand. It might drain okay. It depends on what's between the rocks. The soil on our lot is fill from where a harbor was dredged out of the sea. The soil is fertile, but it's extremely hard to work because there are so many rocks. I don't know how cannabis roots would like rocky soil, but I would guess it wouldn't.

Phreakshow said:
My results are already pretty fair so far. This will be my second year in dirt not pots.

That's encouraging. So, a hole about the size of a 10- or 20-gallon pot might work. That would be one way to decide how big a hole to dig. Most outside plants grown in pots that I've seen are in pots of that size or larger.

Phreakshow · Mar 15, 2025

LoveGrowingIt said:
You can get an idea of the "perc" by digging a small hole and filling it with water. Watch to see how fast the water drains out of the hole. That will tell you how porous the soil is.

The main problem with rocky soil is it's hard to dig by hand. It might drain okay. It depends on what's between the rocks. The soil on our lot is fill from where a harbor was dredged out of the sea. The soil is fertile, but it's extremely hard to work because there are so many rocks. I don't know how cannabis roots would like rocky soil, but I would guess it wouldn't.

That's encouraging. So, a hole about the size of a 10- or 20-gallon pot might work. That would be one way to decide how big a hole to dig. Most outside plants grown in pots that I've seen are in pots of that size or larger.

I know I'm probably being dumb but I didn't grow in pots because of cost. Like everyone I'm on a tight budget. To buy the amount of soil it takes to fill those pots is difficult to me. I know big buy in and just use again. I don't know maybe I should do pots.

Phreakshow · Mar 15, 2025

Galgrows said:
If i were to do that ( which i won't to damn old ) i'd lay a large tarp out and dump the ingrediants on it and mix. Dig you damn big hole LOL if it's decent soil mix it with your new ingrediants. Have fun and be prepared for 12ft trees.

What size pots do you use?

Jimmie · Mar 15, 2025

You had pretty good plants last season if I remember correctly. More good soli the better.

Phreakshow · Mar 15, 2025

Jimmie said:
You had pretty good plants last season if I remember correctly. More good soli the better.

I just always feel there can be improvements. I'm the only person that smokes. I grow way more than I need but I love sharing.

Bigalmoby · Mar 15, 2025

Phreakshow said:
What size pots do you use?

I’m in Missouri our ground here sucks all rock hard to dig I would love to be able to put one in the ground I would need a backhoe
I had most of mine in 5 gallon last summer way to small of a pot so I’m doing 15 gallon this summer dirt is expensive what I’ve saved on bud I put back in dirt and nutrients new pots so not saved much $ yet
Good luck for sure makes for something for me to follow along can’t wait to see your grow

Bigalmoby · Mar 15, 2025

All my 5 gallon gave me 1/4 pound dried average 6 plants
My 50 gallon one plant gave me 4 pounds dried
Size makes huge Difference
They do get big and heavy

LoveGrowingIt · Mar 15, 2025

Phreakshow said:
I know I'm probably being dumb but I didn't grow in pots because of cost.

Well... I was just attempting to answer your question in your original post. I suspect you wouldn't need to buy a pot, though. All you need is to know how much soil they hold. Those 5-gallon buckets from Lowes that cost $5 work well for measuring soil.

Phreakshow · Mar 15, 2025

LoveGrowingIt said:
Well... I was just attempting to answer your question in your original post. I suspect you wouldn't need to buy a pot, though. All you need is to know how much soil they hold. Those 5-gallon buckets from Lowes that cost $5 work well for measuring soil.

I meant nothing by my reply other than I'm dumb and know it sometimes. I'm sorry i came across like that. I know you answered my question and very much appreciate your help. Thank you!!

Phreakshow · Mar 15, 2025

LoveGrowingIt said:
. Those 5-gallon buckets from Lowes that cost $5 work well for measuring soil.

You are awesome. Like this!

LoveGrowingIt · Mar 15, 2025

Phreakshow said:
I meant nothing by my reply other than I'm dumb and know it sometimes. I'm sorry i came across like that. I know you answered my question and very much appreciate your help. Thank you!!

You're certainly not dumb! I'm fine, except I have a head cold, and happy to help.

Bigger holes are much better?

Bigger holes are much better?

Phreakshow

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Bigger holes are much better?

Bigger holes are much better?

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If you were a hotdog would you eat yourself?

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