there seems to be a ton of soil recipes on a ton of threads.
Anyone recommend a good simple base organic soil for first time organic grower?
From readings I can see the base would start
1/3 peat moss
1/3 EWC
1/3 rice hulls.. being in Colorado I can find it cheap and local
Dolomite lime to stabilize Ph.. 1 cup per cubic foot
Here is were my confusion has begun.
Do I start with a organic dry fert like Dr Earths All purpose 5-5-5 for a good base then add kelp, alfalfa and rock dust
or
Do I try and source everything without the ALL purpose base? if I do, what amendments would be recommended?
Very interested in creating a great base soil before I move on to a " super soil", something that will sustain growth/life while I figure out how to also create a good tea regiment.
Thanks for the help or feedback
Patanjali's made a good list to start, however, I am a real fan of Dr Earth as they make it VERY easy. That said, I also like to DIY and have stuff on hand to make additional tweaks if I feel it's necessary (which is to emphasize that I grow much by feel).
I've begun adding fish meal this year, we'll see how it does. Haven't been any hornets around to be attracted to it, otherwise in other years I have had problems with such amendments. You can also use Cal-Phos for additional Ca and P.
Out here the hulls take 2-3 years to break down, depending on soil life, moisture, etc.
Consider adding some form of char to your mix, and if you do so, consider making something like a fermented plant tea or nutrient solution to "charge" that char with.
Woot CO growers! ;)
Couple things, EWC/compost is the life of your soil - don't skimp. Keep in mind rice hulls are going to break down pretty quickly. If you could source a little pumice or lava rock to go in there, might be a good thing. For amendments I would suggest the following per cu ft:
1/2c kelp
1/2c neem
1/2c crab meal
1/2c oyster shell
1/2c gypsum
3-4c rock dust (glacial rock dust or basalt works well)
Done...
P-
Would you be including the oyster shell
with the dolomite, or instead of?
I also like to add at
least a cup of alfalfa (pellets or hay sweepings) to that mix, per foot/cu.