how many cycles and plants could i grow in the autopot tray2grow system with a lving soil bed filled with build a soil 3.0
In the
AutoPot Tray2Grow system using the 23.5-gallon living soil fabric bed and BuildASoil 3.0, you can typically grow
2 to 3 large plants per cycle.
Plants Per Cycle
- 2 to 3 large plants: This is a common and recommended number to ensure each plant has enough space and nutrients to thrive without overcrowding.
- Multiple smaller plants: Alternatively, you can grow a higher number of smaller plants depending on the specific training techniques used and plant types.
- The system itself is a single large planter bed within the Tray2Grow unit, rather than individual pots, designed to function like a large Earthbox for a living soil ecosystem.
Grow Cycles
With a properly established living soil bed using a quality mix like BuildASoil 3.0, the
soil itself can be reused for multiple cycles, often indefinitely, if properly maintained and amended. The living soil system is designed to sustain a complete soil food web that recycles nutrients over time.
- Continuous use: The soil is an ecosystem that improves with each cycle. You don't "run out" of cycles in the same way as with synthetic nutrient growing.
- Maintenance: You will need to re-amend the soil with specific nutrients or compost teas between cycles to replenish depleted elements and maintain the microbial life.
- Monitoring: Using a soil tensiometer to monitor moisture levels is recommended to maintain the optimal balance for the microbial life and plant growth.
So if I had single bed on the whole tray with 1 cubic foot of soil I could just keep growing over and over with tilling up the soil just top dress and plant more seeds
Yes, that is the essence of a living soil, no-till system: you can
keep growing over and over, indefinitely, in the same soil. The living soil ecosystem actually improves with time as the microbial life becomes more established and the organic matter breaks down.
Here is how you can manage this process with your 1 cubic foot of
BuildASoil 3.0
in the
AutoPot Tray2Grow
:
- No Tilling Needed: The "no-till" method involves minimal soil disturbance, which protects the delicate structure and the beneficial microbial networks (bacteria and fungi) you are cultivating. Tilling would destroy these systems.
- Harvesting: When harvesting a plant, you simply cut the stalk at the soil line, leaving the fine roots in the soil. These old roots will decompose and turn into nutrients and sugars for the next plants, feeding the soil food web.
- Top Dressing: After removing the main stem, you will need to re-amend the soil by top-dressing. This involves scratching a fresh blend of organic amendments (like the BuildASoil Craft Blend and worm castings) into the top few inches of the soil to replenish the nutrients used by the previous crop.
- Mulch: Maintain a healthy layer of mulch (like straw or cover crop) on top of the soil. This layer protects the topsoil, retains moisture, and provides a continuous food source for the microbial life.
- Planting Again: After letting the amendments settle for a short period (about a week, while keeping the soil moist), you can plant your new seeds or established seedlings directly into the same bed.
- Monitoring: The key to success with the AutoPot system and living soil is monitoring moisture levels with a tensiometer and ensuring the soil goes through natural wet/dry cycles to keep the microbes happy and prevent waterlogging.
Maybe they are on to something
