First off, VS, if I end up derailing your journal too much, I won't take offense if you tell me to take a hike!
I think it would be good to try and find something for you to try and see if you like a growing style where you don't need to do much other than train the plant IF you want to.
I think this is a great point. I'm just starting to feel like I have a good initial handle on growing generally and growing in coco specifically, and my goals with this grow will not be to maximize what I get from the format, but rather to dip a toe in - not only to growing in soil, but also to growing outside. Once the fall comes I'll be back in my coco in the tents. But who knows, maybe what I experience this summer will drive me to other experiments in the fall.
You can talk to
@Guy Cavallero, he is canadian and he sourced everything I used. He might be able to give you an idea of what everything on my list ran him cost wise.
If you go to where you mix your own soil, you can get multiple runs out of it so the cost drops greatly the more you run your soil. If you are going to end up walking down the path of making your own, I suggest you consider getting into vermi-composting for sure.
Thanks, and thanks
@Guy Cavallero for reaching out.
I just want to add this disclaimer.....out of everything that Guy bought.....its enough (not counting future base soil...but if you get into vermi-composting you can use some of your old recycled soil to use the base for your vermi-composting to build your base soil in the future) to do multiple batches of soil.
For me a batch gives me about 60 gallons of soil.....and I think I can get close to 3 batches of soil from that. Each batch can then be re-amended a couple times each. With a good vermi-compost set up, you could probably get 4-5 runs through with a little bit of re-amending. In the long run, it can be extremely cost efficient.
That's the thing though Van - I'm not in any way going to be making a commitment to soil, so whatever I run should effectively be contained in this grow, or with a little extra left over for experiments in the fall.
If I find that I want to continue on with soil, I think I'd quickly look to go this route and turn to you and the folks in here for advice - but for now I think my commitment needs to be just for this summer's run.
I may not have been very clear. KIS also sales a water only soil. But I was referring to their nutrient kit that allows you to cut shipping costs out as long as you can source the aeration, compost, and peat. That way you don't have to pay to ship all that stuff. They are a pretty amazing company and what they stand for is why I use them. And as Van said, it will be very easy to re amend that soil for another use. Reducing the costs even more! And I could be wrong but depending on your area I would not really trust a "water only" soil other than those that have been formulated for our target plant
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It's probably less that you were unclear and more that I missed it,
@LaquerHead.
Your line of thinking makes total sense to me - our plant has specific needs that a do-it-all solution doesn't fit.
I'll have a look at the site again and see how shipping looks, and then it's in my back pocket if I decide to mix up my own.
Dobe, i too was intrigued by the Kindsoil....until i found out about shipping. My version of Stanks' soil ran me around $650 CAD, I bought everything locally other than a couple of amendments.....to save on shipping. That made me about 230L.. Pm me if you want locations for everything I purchased.....dont wanna step on any sponsor toes.
If youre thinking about a soil.....Theirs also a mushroom farm in Campbellford that gives away mushroom compost if you bring pails. I have directions depending on your location.
Thanks
@Guy Cavallero - I'm not looking to go that big quite yet, maybe once I have this grow under my belt.
I will PM you back though - doesn't sound like I'm close to you but I get down your way from time to time and could always make a dedicated trip. I think Campbellford is a couple of hours from me in the direction of Toronto? That said I bet we have the same or similar vendors close by. I've been buying from some local farmers for years, I should ask them for tips.
If you want basic newbie soil and you have a HD nearby, go with Dr Earth Pot of Gold if they carry it. I use that for all my outside plants (autos included) and mix it about 70/30 with rinsed perlite. I nute my autos starting around 18 days. I don't use "water only" soil because I want to give my autos specific nutes at specific times. Autos are on such a different clock from photos that you need to live on their timetable.
Thanks
@InTheShed, I'll go have a look at what they have. I have a HD very close and it has a large garden center, but there's also a large privately owned garden center with a lot of stock very close by, so tracking things available in Canada down shouldn't be hard.
I might have to hit you up for more specific advice on feeding when I get closer to this run - I know when to boost what in photos but have no auto experience.
I would suggest larger pots...7 or 10 gallon for outdoor autos.
Maybe call the garden center nearby and ask them if they source/sell any local composted soil mixes from farms in the area. Sometimes they will deliver a half truck for $200 and then you have plenty for a year! If it is legal in your area straight up ask them if they sell some super special soil for your autos...
I think I might ask - the nearby garden center has some salt of the earth types who likely won't take any offense at the question, and I'm legal medically but it's also being legalized recreationally here this summer. They'd be smart to have their people in a position to answer these kinds of questions.
I was thinking 3 gallon because I expect the autos to run for about 3 months, and have heard 1 gallon per month as a basic recommendation. Do you think otherwise
@Blew Hiller? I threw it out there to get feedback such as this. My only frame of reference is photos in coco indoors, which is a completely different ballgame.
Thanks for all of the feedback guys. I'm completely neutral going into this, not really tied to anything other than using autos to neatly define the timeframe.
Just saw you mention you’d learnt a lesson there... wondering what that could be...
...420 can be a little overwhelming with advice but at the end of the day your plant is a weed and will flourish with a solid growing medium and weekly watering. 
