This will be my 1st real bro. I'm growing in a 4 by 4 tent . Using a HLG 650R for veg and flower. I will dial the light down for veg. The only other time I have tried this I used Coco And bottled nutrients. I was doing well but I had to end the grow about 3 weeks in so I learned very little. I'm considering soil because it seems that it might be easier tha Coco for my 1st actual grow.
I'm considering using Fox farm's ocean forest. I've read that people add things such as earthworm castings and microbes and even mix with water day before to get nutrients To start breaking down so that plants can up take them. Can somebody suggested a good mix to get me started? And is it a good idea to cook your soil 1st? Thank you to this great community.
I think I have something that may help you decide. I feel like I did a pretty good job writing out the pros and cons for soil vs coco in this article: https://www.mrgrowit.com/post/2018/03/13/soil-vs-coco-coir-whats-better-for-growing-cannabis If you go the soil route, this video may help you not make some mistakes:
When you say "earthworm castings and microbes and even mix with water day before to get nutrients", I believe you're referring to tea brewing. Here is a good introduction video to that:
Hope this helps. Let us know what other questions you have.
I think it's really cool that you would link to someone else's video because they had a good example of what you were trying to explain. I've actually watched the 1st 2 videos prior to this. What I was referring to when adding water to the soil prior to it being used I think you called it cooking. I think you added all your amendments and then wet it down and cover it up with a tarp. My understanding was this was to get the microbial to start breaking down the nutrients so they could be used in plant form.
@Mednugs Oh yeah i'll definitely link to other sources. I'll be the first to admit I don't know everything and that I'm still learning. Even though I've been creating cannabis grow content for 5 years now, I certainty haven't covered everything about it. There is so much to know that I think it's impossible for someone to know everything. I feel like even those growers who say they have been growing for 30 years don't know everything. I digress.
Yes, you're absolutely right when you explain microbes breaking down nutrients so they are in plant form.