I would like to start the process of creating living soil. I have black and gold organic soil to start with. Suggestions on inexpensive ways to create ongoing living soil?
Growlog link: https://growithjane.com/growlog/bubba-kush-1-tiyz
If you don’t have a growlog please answer these questions.
What strain are you growing? Is it Auto, Fem or Reg?
Are you growing Indoor or outdoor?
Are you using nutrients? Which ones? How much?
Welcome @Mrpassionat5280.
That Black and Gold looks good though this is the first I’ve heard of it. But it seems to contain most components of others. You may want to consider commercial mycos to boost your microbe content. Or you can diy with KNF.
Anyway I believe the important point to consider is container size, the bigger the better. It’s been opined that a minimum 15G fabric pot is necessary. It’s your call on that. Other inexpensive options are worm bins for a source of castings. Kelp meal is pretty inexpensive and good for teas and topdress. Other than that, I scout around wooded areas and look for felled rotting trees. That black dirt you usually find underneath is gold. And of course, there is always good old compost.
HTH.
As well, you may to consider using mulch to help with moisture loss as this will kill your microbes. You can never let living soil go dry especially at the top few inches.
I can tell you what NOT to use once your living soil is up and alive…liquid synthetic nutes! I wiped out all my colonies with one feeding of cal/mag. Non compatible nutes, oops missed that memo.
Anyways, I use the gaia green line and add things like, earthworm castings, molasses, great white mycos, manure or bat guano…just look at gaia green on amazon to get an idea of what is used to amend living soil, then get whatever brand you can source locally. You want microbes and bacteria, you can use the shotgun or sniper method. Lots of sources to read. I love it!
Im still a beginner growing this plant, but have planted more then a few food forests, which means building living soil, so take this for what its worth. Living soil is kinda my jam…obviously not synthetic nutrients.