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Underthesun
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Well, maybe I read this a little late. I went ahead and mixed a cubic foot of soil up, with all my amendments and paid no attention to weight. Then just read this. I could get the soil I just mixed tested or I could mix another cf of what you are calling the base mix. I assume the base mix for what I'm doing is just my 1/3 compost and 1/3 peat, leaving out the other 1/3 of the aeration mix? After that test then I should ammend?Here is how to take the test:
Sample the soil from at least 5 different locations. if you can take more that is better for a representation of your soil.
Use a plastic cup or shovel to scoop it up.
Place all the samples into a bucket.
DO NOT use a container made of metal!
Mix well.
Take out 2 cups and put in zip lock baggie.
Seal it well. Write your name, email and sample name on the baggie with a permanent marker.
Go to http://loganlabs.com/doc/submissionworksheet.pdf, download and print soil submission worksheet.
At bottom of form write Base Test Plus EC, Mo,Co, Se, Si
Example name for sample: Soil Mix 1.
Instructions for filling out worksheet are here:
http://www.loganlabs.com/doc/submissionworksheet.pdf
Ask if you have any questions!
Note: The first time you work with Logan Labs you have to pay upfront. Additional tests they will bill you after doing the test.
Make check to logan labs for $30.00
Mail Worksheet and soil sample to:
Logan Labs
P.O. Box 326
Lakeview, OH 43331
After logan labs completes the test. They will email you back the soil test result.
I can then give you recommendations for amendments based on your soil test.
That is the bare minimum to know what is going down with the soil chemistry for long term release.
Are you using soil less???? Peat based or coco. no top soil in it.
To account for a lightweight soil based on peat or coco coir and to make the most accurate amendment recommendations.
Take it a step further for accuracy!
weigh the soil to calculate the actual weight of your soil less.
Step to account for soil weight:
Ideally you should weigh a one gallon bucket of soil. Take a one gallon bucket and lightly pack it with soil. Weigh the soil and write down the weight.
Dry the soil out. Do this in sun or dry in the oven at 250f.
Write down the weight of one gallon of soil. Post up the weight of the soil moist and then dry.
For me to make a soil amendment recommendation I need your:
1. Soil Test.
2. Soil Weight
3. Size of your containers, beds or farm.
4. Any amendments you already have and want to use.
I will then give you a free soil amendment recommendation in this thread. Unless it is against the TOS??
The normal fee for this service ranges from $30.00 to $100.00. All depends on who you hire.
Trying to help others get on top of using math to calculate there soil mixes. Then get superior results. Generally organic growers are behind the curve and do not follow the latest practices.
People growing in hydro and using water soluble salts use math and do calulations for recipes.
They share recipes based on math. The same math can be applied to organics and soil/soil less.
Yet I see all these mixes that appear to be some frankenstein recipes that are not done based on calculating the inputs used.
Hope that helps you and anyone else reading the thread. Start testing and stop growing blind.
Here is the mix I just made and was planning on testing. Should I add any of the amendments prior to testing, like the rock dust or basalt? This mix was from buildasoil's site, and I added a few things I had laying around that I didn't think could hurt, such as the biochar and azomite. Also, should I let this mix sit for a week or more prior to testing?
1 cf = 7.5 gallons (I'm just eyeballing here)
1cf mixture for testing, prior to full mix.
1/3 compost (2.5 gallons)
1/3 peat (2.5 gallons)
1/3 aeration (2.5 gallons)
1/3 compost:
25% worm castings (0.625 gal)
15% leftover compost from last year (0.375 gal)
60% cold compost (1.5 gal)
1/3 aeration:
50% rice hulls (1.25 gal)
50% perlite/ recycled glass rocks (1.25 gal)
Add (for 1 cf)
1/2 cup kelp
1/2 cup neem cake
1/2 cup crab meal
1/2 cup basalt
1/2 cup glacial rock dust
1/2 cup azomite
1 cup gypsum
1 cup oyster flour
2 cup biochar