You might find the structure of garden soil interesting. A good fifty percent of what we think of as garden soil is just vacant space. Another forty-five percent is made up of eroded rock particles. Organics, dead and alive, make up the rest, about 5%.
What the garden soil is made of is the garden soil composition. Some soils are clay-based, others are sandy, loamy or silty. Just as different materials have different characteristics and properties, so to do the components of soil influence the soil's properties.
Understanding the concepts of structure and compsition allows the grower to create the optimal growing medium. Doubling the amount of organic material is simple, as we're only moving from 5% to 10%. We can ensure that there is adequate room between the soil particles to keep air and water available to the roots.
Plants like a wide range of environments and do better in some than in others. A plant that thrives in wet, acid soil won't do well in dry, alkaline soil. Marijuana likes well drained soil on the lighter side, with a PH between 5.9 and 6.4.
Clearly, what you want is a soil with a ph of about 6.0, that drains well. Digging soil up out of your backyard might work, but it probably won't have everything you need. Buying commercial potting soil will get you closer, but it's still not perfect. The easiest solution is to make your own soil.
This is quite easy. Good structure and composition are the goals. The internet has many good recipes to help you.
You can start with commercial potting soils. Add vermiculite or perlite to improve drainage. You improve moisture retention with peat moss. The marijuana will thrive.
You can also add organic material to improve the nutrient values. Examples that are suitable are chicken or steer manure, or compost or worm castings. Fresh manure may be too strong, so use composted stuff. Check the ph of the finished product before you plant.
What the garden soil is made of is the garden soil composition. Some soils are clay-based, others are sandy, loamy or silty. Just as different materials have different characteristics and properties, so to do the components of soil influence the soil's properties.
Understanding the concepts of structure and compsition allows the grower to create the optimal growing medium. Doubling the amount of organic material is simple, as we're only moving from 5% to 10%. We can ensure that there is adequate room between the soil particles to keep air and water available to the roots.
Plants like a wide range of environments and do better in some than in others. A plant that thrives in wet, acid soil won't do well in dry, alkaline soil. Marijuana likes well drained soil on the lighter side, with a PH between 5.9 and 6.4.
Clearly, what you want is a soil with a ph of about 6.0, that drains well. Digging soil up out of your backyard might work, but it probably won't have everything you need. Buying commercial potting soil will get you closer, but it's still not perfect. The easiest solution is to make your own soil.
This is quite easy. Good structure and composition are the goals. The internet has many good recipes to help you.
You can start with commercial potting soils. Add vermiculite or perlite to improve drainage. You improve moisture retention with peat moss. The marijuana will thrive.
You can also add organic material to improve the nutrient values. Examples that are suitable are chicken or steer manure, or compost or worm castings. Fresh manure may be too strong, so use composted stuff. Check the ph of the finished product before you plant.
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