soil ...??? where to start

Ok so first off I'm new to this its my first time ever trying to go something . With that being said I see so much talk on here about how good or bad miracle gro is I have a few seeds that I spent good money on . So I want the best soil I can get for them . Or can any one tell me how to put together my own soil that will be good for all the cycle or if I should jus stick wit the miracle grow I have out side . I want to be able to add fertilizer an nuts from time to time during feeding please help

I hate Monsanto like poison. They make Scotts and Miracle Grow. People can use what they want but I even avoid posts mentioning Miracle Grow (this one exception).

Usually, there are plenty of premixed potting soils available from local companies. What is available here in Vt won't be found anywhere else. But here are a dozen good commercial potting soils / grow mediums include Dr. Earth, General Organics, Pure Earth, Botanicare, Vermisoil, Sun Land, Vital Earth, Roots Organic, Royal Gold, Sunshine Advanced, Black Gold, and of course, Fox Farm. Or, make your own. Such as, 15% perlite, 25% compost, 50% peat or coco fiber or mix, the other 10% amendments.

No matter what kind of potting soil you use;
I recommend mixing potting soil & seed starter soil, (about 50% each) to start new seeds.
100% seed starter soil is ok, but damn! it drys out fast.

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Originally Posted by Shovelhandle

I hate Monsanto like poison. They make Scotts and Miracle Grow. People can use what they want but I even avoid posts mentioning Miracle Grow (this one exception).

Usually, there are plenty of premixed potting soils available from local companies. What is available here in Vt won't be found anywhere else. But here are a dozen good commercial potting soils / grow mediums include Dr. Earth, General Organics, Pure Earth, Botanicare, Vermisoil, Sun Land, Vital Earth, Roots Organic, Royal Gold, Sunshine Advanced, Black Gold, and of course, Fox Farm. Or, make your own. Such as, 15% perlite, 25% compost, 50% peat or coco fiber or mix, the other 10% amendments.

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So can I find any of these at Lowe's or homedepot or do I have to order on line that's all we have where I'm from we don't have any grow shops

I'm sure you have a greenhouse or a nursery - you could even try your local southern states. I know they have Southern States stores in your state - I'm not sure about your town.

Last time I was in southern states, they had a ton of organic stuff & I even picked up some Neptune's Harvest fish & seafood based nutes - no idea if that's good for cannabis seeds or not.

I also saw that our local greenhouse sells Fox Farm products - they also had root stimulator & a few other curious items that I'm sure people have been asking for.

I'm a firm believer of a weak root stimulator solution (spray bottle) for runt seedlings.

Seedlings with a lot of hybrid vigor don't need it. IMO

So can I find any of these at Lowe's or homedepot or do I have to order on line that's all we have where I'm from we don't have any grow shops

It is no wonder downtowns are struggling here in the USA. Everybody is thinking "Big Box" stores are "it". What about hardware stores, nurseries, greenhouses and farm stores?

Sucks if all you have is HD or Lowes. If you have to do the Internet thing, there are lots of small shops that have online ordering and are happy to ship. I found a great local hydro shop on the 'Net -- no need to ship, I can just drop in and they pretty much have it all.

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Originally Posted by Token LaRoche

Sucks if all you have is HD or Lowes. If you have to do the Internet thing, there are lots of small shops that have online ordering and are happy to ship. I found a great local hydro shop on the 'Net -- no need to ship, I can just drop in and they pretty much have it all.

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We have a small feed an seed store like 20 miles from my house but its small I guess ill have to give them a try for my soil mix

Where I live the local ACE hardware stores carry Fox Farm. They also have jiffy pellets, rockwool cubes. I think a little lighting for growing also, but not much.

Try a smaller store, maybe they can even special order it for you or something. :)

Are the plants going to be potted? If so, very easy to check the pH of the run off. Your water will have a huge impact on the pH. What works for one person may not work for you. Fox Farm is very popular. Don't pack (compress) the soil. With time all that airy space will be taken up by roots. If doing it outdoors, keep track of the season and lighting. Be prepared to contend with bugs.

Get a few books, Jorge Cervantes is popular... money spent on books will save you $$$ later. Above all learn your local laws and be prepared for cops and criminals. Soil is more forgiving than other methods, but it will take a fair amount of your time.

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Originally Posted by thomas2681

We have a small feed an seed store like 20 miles from my house but its small I guess ill have to give them a try for my soil mix

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Before I discovered the local place, I was buying everything on Amazon (and seriously, I live in a big metro area, so there's no excuse). You can outfit a large pot plantation via Amazon -- it's all there but the seeds. And a lot of the Amazon sellers are small local shops (just not local to me).

Soil is a bit of a problem mail order cuz of the weight. I'm growing in Coco Coir and a big brick of that (5 Kg?) usually sells for about $12. It's more like $25 on Amazon because of the shipping. Locally, I can get it for $12 + tax, but not at the big box places because they don't sell it.

Ya do what ya gotta do...

Oh, and if you go with the Fox Farms nutes, be real careful. Because I'm growing in coco + perlite, I use their hydroponic schedule (there is zero food in my "soil"). Big Bloom, Grow Big and Tiger Bloom. I've been mixing it half strength for the entire grow after an early scare with some burn. The FF stuff is strong and if you use their schedule as-is, you'll probably kill your plants.

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Originally Posted by Token LaRoche

Oh, and if you go with the Fox Farms nutes, be real careful. Because I'm growing in coco + perlite, I use their hydroponic schedule (there is zero food in my "soil"). Big Bloom, Grow Big and Tiger Bloom. I've been mixing it half strength for the entire grow after an early scare with some burn. The FF stuff is strong and if you use their schedule as-is, you'll probably kill your plants.

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Thanks tor all the info I'm probably going with ff after seeding

I agree, most nutrients are pretty strong at the recommended dosage. That said, I'm a little heavy handed when I pour anything. I just try to use it less often.

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Originally Posted by Shovelhandle

I agree, most nutrients are pretty strong at the recommended dosage. That said, I'm a little heavy handed when I pour anything. I just try to use it less often.

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I haven't mixed anything but half strength (total noob, tho) on the FF nutes and am thinking for the next round I might mix an even lower (third?) strength so I can use it more of the time. Not sure if that will make a difference. In the last month, I've done 5 real feedings, 3 waterings and one flush. Flush was on the schedule, not because of problems.

My huge assumption is that when I see "burn" on healthy leaves, I automatically assume that I've overfed the plants, so I back down on the food. Never sure if I'm right.

I water-water-feed. That's usually every three days a watering/feed. I believe you'll have better tasting product if the plants never get overfed/burned tips. I am using Age Old Bloom, an organic nutrient solution and I use it 100% as directed with no burn. I'm in week six tomorrow so I'm done feeding, just water.