Best way to mix a pretty good ammount of soil?

[CarharttKidd]

Well, I'm thinking I might do a soil run here some time in the near future. I did the math and it looks like I'll need to mix up almost 57 cubic feet of soil for the project I got floating around in my head. What is the best way to mix up this much soil without making a disaster area?

The formula I've been thinking about is

7 cubic feet perlite
7 cubic feet vermiculite
6 cubic feet worm castings
4 cubic feet chicken manure
3 cubic feet compost (mostly mulch and mushroom compost)
30 cubic feet potting soil

How does this sound?

Also planning on using some urea, super phosphate, and green sand in the mix. Think I would be better off with blood and bone meal? How much of these would you suggest for this ammount of soil?

I would do a pre veg in a seperate area with a milder soil, but they would be on 18 for a little while (maybe as long as 4 weeks) when they got transplanted into this mix.

Im thinking 9x15 gal pots per 1k, 3x 1k (2 hps 1 MH) for this run.

 

[MTF-Sandman]

Might wanna try putting in on a tarp in the yard...then you can just pick up on the edges to mix the ingredients.

 

[whoami]

get big rubber maid tubs and mix in batches

 

[I.M. Boggled]

prorate the recipe and rent or buy a big cement mixer/ soil blender and a few tarps...

get a big ol noisy diesel one with a bad muffler and invite the whole neighborhood over for a "potting Party"...
they'll have ya up and growin' in no time at all....
kind of like the good ol' fashin barn raisin' days...be sure to serve lemonade..
shooot, i keep forgettin' we aint talkin' toe-maters here, hehe : D
on that note, Get an electric mixer (or a canoe paddle if on the economy plan)... a garage perhaps and a few big more or less big ol' tarps and mix away.
wetting down the perlite and vermiculite is always advisible particularly when working in confined spaces, the dust is very bad for the lungs as most people know.
57 Cu. Ft. of soil mixing sounds like a lot of work no matter how one does it

 

[CarharttKidd]

I guess I was just trying to build the soil like I have in the past for outdoor gardens. The vermiculite was an attempt to make the soil lighter and to avoid dry spots. If my memory serves me correctly, the potting soil I have used in the past is pretty close to 7.

1. Lime raises pH right?

2. Shouldn't I be using cottenseed meal to bring th pH down?

3. Does gypsum lower pH or just break up clay?

4. What about the ferts I proposed adding?

5. Used the tarp in the past. Total pain in the ass even for a half a dozen 10 gal. grow bags. I was affraid that was what I was going to have to do.

6. I guess I should use a soil pH test kit after I mix the mess up and adjust the soil to 6.5 ish right?

I like trees. Any tips pretaining to indoor soil trees would be helpfull.

Old pic to get your attention

 

[Maj.PotHead]

vermiculite dose retain moisture and dose a time release on it when plant needs also it provides space for roots to move. this could result in over watering problems because of moisture retention of vermiculite.

now perlite is much better suited for potted mj it dosent retain moisture but allows for much better root airation and movement then vermiculite. also with perlite its harder to have over water problems, now ifn your planting outside where ya wont be around plants alot and moisture retention is a must then vermiculite is your thing along with perlite.

the dolimite lime is to help keep soil's ph in check i use whitneys farms prilled dolimite lime in all my soil mix's 1 cup per 5gal soil. if extra is needed during the grow can allways crush the dolimite lime and scratch and water 2 tsp per gal soil into top of containers soil

 

[aeric]

Haha as soon as I saw that pic I remembered you from OG (i think so anyways). Still in that backyard with the crazy neighbors? lol. That one summer you had sounded rough, better luck this year. Sorry nothing to contribute on mixing soil, I pretty much hate it and do it in as small a batch as possible to make it easier...always thought automation (mixer) would be a worthwhile investment.

 

[Closet Funk]

Use a rubbermaid tub or a kids pool to mix up large quantities of soil. I saw the breeder from Subcool use a pool and it seemed to work well.

 

[Guest423]

yeah giant rubbermaids or plastic kiddy pools work best....or just rent a bulldozer lol

 

[Verite]

Yep works like a charm. Just find a nice small handled pot to use as your " 1 part " and start mixing batches.

 

[Space Ghost]

my method for mixing soil works pretty well but on a smaller scale, I can only do about ¾ of a cubic foot at a time, but anyway I put all the ingredients in a large trash bag and blow some air in it so there is the mix and then a big pocket of air, then just shake the hell out of it and let it sit for a few weeks.

works great for me, no mess, no fuss, no nothing except for mixed soil....

 

[CarharttKidd]

Aeric- Im taking an extended break. I got the hell out of that crazy neighborhood. I'm going to make sure the next run goes as smooth as possible. It will be some time before I grow again. I'm still getting all my ducks in a row. The next run has to be as stress free as possible. NO PARTNERS! Every time I have tried to give someone an opportunity, it has done nothing but set me back. Im getting my credit straight, stashing away more gear, and hunting for great tree genetics in seed form so I can go rent a place when the time is right and do this thing. When trim time comes, I got a boy that'll line me up with some hookers to do the job for me in a motel room. $100 a day and I get the pipes cleaned out too hell yeah.

 

[aeric]

That sounds like a plan lol. Agreed 100% on the partners thing.

 

[CarharttKidd]

I guess the kiddy pools and the electric mixer is the way to do it.

Damn, I wish I was set up on a nice hill right about now. No computer. No T.V. Just me, a beautiful lady, a mean ass dog, a shitty cabin, and 50 fast finishing girls up to my tits right now in quonset huts with 12 ft. sides. Someday. Mark my words.

 

[slyfoxberg]

i have used quite an array of soil this year in various degrees. some perlite, vemaculite, peat moss, MG potting, garden, and yard soil, some top soil, some shultzes mixes as well. i have a good mix and some good spots and will be re-using my soil for next year as well. also use raised beds and 5-7 gallon pots as well. i have actually looked at kidde pools and whatnot to grow my plants, but i just despise kids too much. lol.

 

[CarharttKidd]

I dont think a kiddie pool would provide plants with enough room for roots the way I like to grow. I like trees. I like to get the most off of each plant that I can. Kiddie pools would probably do well mixing soil and serve as great saucers for a few plants, but I just dont think they would give enough root room for a tree.

I hate kids too. Haven't you heard that adolescents song called I hate children?

 

[aeric]

 

[CarharttKidd]

Another child born to the house - I hate children
Raise him right so he won't be a mouse - I hate children
I hate it when they make lots of noise - I hate children
And i broke my neck tripping over their toys - I hate children

[Chorus:]
Shut your mouth you stupid little brat
what you need's a smack smack smack
If i had my way i'd give you all away

I hate the crying that they make - I hate children
Screaming and whining for a piece of cake - I hate Children
I hate getting up late at night - I hate children
To Check and see if the crying baby's alright - I hate children

[Chorus]

Now you're had you little monstrous kid - i hate children
It's of you that i'll be rid - I hate children
Do you see this toy it's called a gun - I hate children
And if you wanna live you'd better run - I hate children

[Chorus]

I hate children - I hate children
I hate Children - I hate children
Kill all children dead

 

[Sleepy]

Another child born to the house - I hate children
Raise him right so he won't be a mouse - I hate children
I hate it when they make lots of noise - I hate children
And i broke my neck tripping over their toys - I hate children

[Chorus:]
Shut your mouth you stupid little brat
what you need's a smack smack smack
If i had my way i'd give you all away

I hate the crying that they make - I hate children
Screaming and whining for a piece of cake - I hate Children
I hate getting up late at night - I hate children
To Check and see if the crying baby's alright - I hate children

[Chorus]

Now you're had you little monstrous kid - i hate children
It's of you that i'll be rid - I hate children
Do you see this toy it's called a gun - I hate children
And if you wanna live you'd better run - I hate children

[Chorus]

I hate children - I hate children
I hate Children - I hate children
Kill all children dead

wow...what would you like for father's day??

 

[Guest]

kiddy pool and a hoe.