What to do with ultra sandy soil?

[wisco61]

I am trying to figure out what the best method will be for preparing my native soil for MJ. The "soil" is probably 90% sand in my entire grow area, though it supports lots of growth, in particular briars. Anyways, I am wondering what I can get away with amending this sand. I plan on like 1.5'x1.5'x1.5' holes and can haul in amendments.

What percentage of sand will be acceptable in the final mixture and what should I add? I am thinking 40% sand, 25% peat moss, 25% perlite?, 10% ferts/water crystals/etc. Or maybe more ferts like some manure and less perlite/peat moss?

I can get to the plot weekly, and don't really care one way or the other about organic.

45 N lat, my location is the upper midwest, rain is fairly plentiful, and I have easily accessible watersources nearby.

This is one in the area planted with the above mentioned ratios. It is doing pretty good, but I always wonder if I could be doing better/easier.

 

[clydefrog]

hey wisco lookin good so far. i would up your ratio of peat moss to
at least 50%. that much sand in the mix could lead to problems with your root system (compacting)


or you could always go with grow bags or 5-gal buckets and make your own soil mixture. do a search, there are several threads about self watering buckets (Hempy buckets)

Hope this helps

clydefrog

 

[Gantz]

sounds like a job for containers or growbags since sand dries out very fast.

 

[Saibai]

Hi wisco, check out backcountrys sticky on soil...it should have everything you need. Good luck!

 

[PurpleBuddy]

I'm in with ClydeFrog and Gantz on this one...after growing for nearly 12 yrs in some very sandy areas I have switched over entirely to growbags in the last few seasons...much easier than the site prep which is needed if growing straight in the ground, plants become mobile, and the bags even help stave off moisture loss in the late summer...if you still want to put them into the ground then I agree, your ratio of peat moss should be higher, as well as a liberal amount of perlite and dont forget the water-polymers, I soak them first before adding them to my mixture in a medium strength organic tea (mainly kelp, bat guano, worm castings,fish emulsion and superthrive)...water polymers are essential if your directly in the ground in a sandy area, as you'll still have a fast drainage regardless of the mix in the hole, so keep that in mind...good luck, take care

 

[wisco61]

Hi wisco, check out backcountrys sticky on soil...it should have everything you need. Good luck!

Ya, I was looking for that, but it appears to have been unstickied. But, I was able to find it knowing backcountry was the author, its right here .

Thanks for all the other advice everyone! I think I am gonna put 4 or so out in 5 gallon buckets and see how those do. Though, from a security standpoint, I prefer in ground. Maybe I will bury the buckets.

 

[Guest]

Hi wisco61

I have a couple of spots i grow in that are in a river bottom and the soil is mostly sand. Its black sand because each year the river gets up and dumps a couple of inches of silt on it. If your sand isn't black then make it that way with a good compost. The compost holds the moisture that sand alone looses quickly. Sandy loam in a disturbed setting such as a delta, is one of the places cannibis thrives naturally. Turn it black with compost, adjust the ph and grow away.

But if that picture is current, what youre doing now looks to be working pretty good.

 

[jaykush]

if its all sand loose the perlite, not needed. add lots of organic matter ( peat, compost, etc...) it will increase the water and nutrient holding capabilities and increase native soil microbes for healthier plants.

 

[wisco61]

Thanks silverback and jaykush, you give me hope! The plan now is to plant in buckets this year, but start up some "black gold" ala the sticky from lou for next year. I figure if I start a couple piles now, it should be good and ready by next spring.

And the picture is current, its just we've had almost 6.6" of rain in June (average is 3.8"), so while they are getting enough water now, I am worried about what will happen with more normal amounts of rain.

 

[Saibai]

Ah yeah, thats right, its in Backcountrys sig, not stickied.
Good job and good luck

 

[Guest]

Hike some peat in...