Creating Super Soil for Indoor and Outdoor Gardening

Jul 18, 2024

Creating Super Soil for Indoor and Outdoor Gardening

Introduction

  • Host: Chris, aka Mr. Grow It
  • Guest: Derek, aka Chronic from Homegrown World
  • Episode: Garden Talk Podcast, Episode 71
  • Topic: Discussion on super soil, compost teas, pH, ppm, container size, water sources

Derek's Background

  • Gardening for 13 years
  • Grows a variety of plants (tomatoes, lettuce, herbs, medicinal plants, etc.)
  • Educator for medicinal plant medicine and mycology
  • Active on YouTube, Instagram, and his own podcast

Super Soil Basics

  • Definition: A nutrient-rich soil mix that supports plants from start to finish
  • Origins: Popularized by Subcool, known as a legacy mix
  • Components: Balanced aeration, nutrients, acidity; includes microbial life
  • Simplistic Ratio: Derek uses a 1:3:2 NPK ratio (Nitrogen:Phosphorus:Potassium)

Custom Super Soil Mix

  • Uses a base of cocoa or peat moss
  • Incorporates aeration components (perlite or pumice)
  • Adds organic earthworm castings
  • Uses pre-made organic soil blends (Roots Organic 707)
  • Aims for a balance to avoid burning plants

Super Soil Recipe

  1. Base: 5 cups of cocoa
  2. Aeration: 3-3.5 cups of perlite
  3. Earthworm Castings: 2.5-3 cups
  4. Additional Soil: Roots Organic 707 blend
  5. Microbial Additions: Great White Mycorrhizae or Mike's Mycorrhizae
  • Preps cocoa by soaking in dechlorinated water (pH 5.5-5.7) with kelp extract
  • Lets the soil mix sit for 1-2 weeks to activate microbial life

Compost Teas

  • Importance: Enhances plant health and soil nutrient availability
  • Vegetative Stage Tea: High in Nitrogen
    • 1 cup bat guano
    • 1.5 cups earthworm castings
    • 1 cup blood meal
    • 0.25 cup bone meal
    • Steep for 24-48 hours
  • Flowering Stage Tea: High in Phosphorus and Potassium
    • Similar mix but adjusted ratios for higher P and K
  • Dilution: Mix tea at 50% strength for feeding
  • Adjust ppm and pH accordingly

pH and ppm Management

  • pH targets: 5.7-5.9 during early stages, adjust as needed
  • Cocoa Concerns: Cocoa can leach nutrients, affecting pH and ppm
  • Test runoff to monitor nutrient levels

Container Sizes

  • Indoor Growing: Recommendations
    • 1-gallon, 3-gallon, 5-gallon pots
    • Consider grow tent size and plant height
    • Avoid exceeding a 7-gallon pot
  • Outdoor Growing: Recommendations
    • Use tan or white pots to avoid root burn
    • Sizes can range up to 50 gallons depending on plant size
    • Ensure good aeration and moisture control

Seedling to Planting Process

  • Start seedlings in smaller containers (e.g., Happy Frog soil in solo cups)
  • Transplant through stages (solo cup > 1 gallon > 3 gallon > final container)
  • Use methods to manage root growth and ethylene hormone production

Water Sources

  • Options: RO water, distilled water, tap water, rainwater
  • Tap Water Considerations: Dechlorination, pH adjustment, ppm levels
  • General Advice: RO systems are best, but dechlorinators can help manage high ppm tap water

Final Advice for Beginners

  • Keep it Simple: Less is more; avoid over-complicating your soil mix
  • Test the Waters: Experiment cautiously without excessive nutrients

How to Find Derek

  • Instagram: @homegrownworld
  • Offers educational content and answers questions

Podcast Wrap-Up

  • Encouragement to subscribe and engage with the podcast
  • Closing remarks and thanks