Looking to Learn ( and you guys are the best)

[1guy1plant]

As my last indoor grow was an epic failure ( major soil PH issues) and I can't start another grow until August (security issues) I thought I would start an out door raised vegetable garden focusing on tomatoes, basil and okra. My thought is it will give me a chance to mix up a semi organic soil mix and test it out , learn a few things, then move some of it indoors after I have it dialed in. Also, it is killing me not having any thing growing right now. I need something to do after checking my closet grows 10 times a day for the last 8 months. I may need rehab after this is over.

Right now I am thinking I will use outline the bed with concrete blocks and probably about 5 ft by 10ft then add enough soil mix to raise bed about 2ft. Right now I am thinking.

2 parts top soil
1 part cow manure
1 part mushroom compost
1 part peat moss


I want to keep it simple. Everything will be bought at home depot or lowes. I will probably keep using fox farm nutes as needed. I have a few questions that I would appreciate some help with. I am sure that I will have more.

1. Should I add or subtract anything from the above mix?
2. If I add dolomite lime my understanding is that it will raise Ph to 7 but will it also lower Ph to 7 if my soil Ph is say 8?
3. Should I kill all grass with round up first in the area or just turn it up and add soil mix to top?
4. Do you recommend putting down any kind of pest control granules down then put soil mix on top or mix it in soil mix?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

[thetreeman]

Id consider adding something for aeration, could use coarse sand, but vermiculite or perlite would be better probably. Also get some espome organic ferts and add them at half recommended strength or 1cup / cubic foot total of soil.

Here is a good post you might find helpful...
http://forum.grasscity.com/organic-growing/1116550-easy-organic-soil-mix-beginners.html

 

[TimeTraveler]

I'd avoid the roundup if possible. Perlite or asbestos-free vermiculite would be great for aerating the soil.

I'd also look into adding some earthworm castings, biological inoculate, and some great white myco. All three would be excellent for improving the soil life and ecosystem, which is crucial to a good organic grow. Also, hit up Eyes on Fire for tips, or search for his threads in here; he's very knowledgeable about organic growing and has posted some awesome, informative threads on the science behind it.

 

[1guy1plant]

Thanks for the replys guys. That was a great article weedman.

 

[1guy1plant]

My vegetable garden is in. I feel like it is my methadone clinic until I can grow again.



My plan is to dial this soil in over the next 90 days. It is approximately 1 part top soil, 1 part peat moss, and 1 part mushroom compost and 1 part cow manure compost. All from home depot. I have 4 tomato plants, 4 okra plants, 1 basil plant and 1 jalapeno plant.