No load, just straight pro mix. I have started saving the dirt from the last several. Not growing this summer, so thought I would get a few really big pots, load the used promix in them, set them out back and let a bunch of water wash through it, then into kiddie swimming pool to dry with slow fan blowing across it. If successful, will work up a bit more sophisticated "dirt recycler" setup
Oh, when little clones, water, weak mix, then by second or third water it's straight up 1 teaspoon per gallon, every water. Straight tap, no ph or it will mess it up. Straight tap last couple of weeks.
I usually empty my old soil and perlite in my vegetable garden. I’ve had neighbors ask about the perlite. They didn’t know I grow inside. I just told them that the perlite helps the soil breath. There is no more room in my garden. I’m gonna use some of it in the “inground” plants outside but I haven’t yet re-used it but think that it’s possible for sure with the right nutrients. I also worry about bringing bugs in my tent and reusing soil is a risk to me. I hate bugs in my tent…
Well, my plans don't have that covered, bugs...I guess I could spray it down with pyganic once dry? If it's a fail it will go into flower beds.
Not sure if it is easily available where you live, but I've found biochar to be an excellent alternative to perlite.. Have you tried it yet? ( I guess one could make it DIY too..)
I put all my indoor media in my outside garden, 20 years ago a next door neighbor and her kid were
Quite
I’ve never tried biochar. I’ll give it a look up. Do you or anyone you know use it?Not sure if it is easily available where you live, but I've found biochar to be an excellent alternative to perlite.. Have you tried it yet? ( I guess one could make it DIY too..)
Other than that, been enjoying your thread and subbed it too to get the latest updates.. Keep growing !
when I finish my inside grow, the pots of dirt roots and all get stored behind the shed until Mr Sub says WTF? Then I gotta find a place for it. I’m sure loaded with spider mites or other things before I would use it again
I use it and I am sure legions of growers use it or at least have tried it.I’ve never tried biochar. I’ll give it a look up. Do you or anyone you know use it?
thanks for the kind comments and visiting the garden. I’m glad you are following along. We have fun here too so feel free to join in
I’m reading about it now. Thanks Kimes and have a sweet dayI use it and I am sure legions of growers use it or at least have tried it.
Do check it out, there's tons of good info on internet as it gains more popularity due to increased interest in old ways and organic growing, climate change etc..
Not that I wouldn't use perlite, for my purposes vermiculite works better and bio char is superior compared to both perlite and vermiculite, depends on the need really. Plain "uncharged" biochar soaks nutrients from soil before giving them back slowly, so I either precharge them with nutrient solution or even better just mix it with moist wormpoop for a week or so before using it. They sell precharged biochar but it is pricey.
up to 1/3 of total soil mixture seems to be the upper limit to me, they recommend 10-20% though
it has millions of micropores, perfect home for beneficial microbes and fungi to make homes..
Many thanks for a warm welcome!
In one batch of soil mix ( Fox Farm) I added 30% perlite, when I finished the grow like always I add it to the outside garden soil. The 30% perlite was very obvious. I don't add as much anymore.
I do about the same but haven’t changed anything. I like that mix. I found a spot in my back flowerbed I can put it
That perlite in big piles of used soil used to be probable cause for a grow op. I guess the paranoia never stops. If my recycle idea doesn't take flight, I will put it in flower beds in front of house and cover with mulch
Stop by anytime. Everybody’s welcome in SubGirls Garden.
they have a giggle fest 
