Are you tired of constantly purchasing new soil and fertilizer for your indoor garden? Look no further than Dr Greenthumbs TurboDirt. Not only does it provide the optimal environment for your plants precious roots, but it can also be reused for multiple growing cycles, making it a cost-effective and sustainable choice for your indoor gardening needs.
In this post, we'll explore the benefits of reusing TurboDirt and provide our customers with tips for successfully doing so!
Benefits of Reusing TurboDirt
When you reuse TurboDirt, you not only save money on soil and fertilizer, but you also reduce waste and lower your carbon footprint. By reusing the soil, you eliminate the need for frequent shipping and packaging, which ultimately leads to a reduction in freight costs and greenhouse gas emissions. But let’s be honest, you as a grower will also save money – which can’t be seen as a bad thing!
What is TurboDirt?
Dr Greenthumbs TurboDirt is a premium soil mix that contains a blend of organic ingredients and nutrients to promote healthy and vigorous plant growth. Unlike traditional indoor growing media like coco coir or rockwool, TurboDirt does not need to be thrown out after each growing cycle. Its unique blend of organic ingredients, such as bat guano, worm castings, peat moss and kelp meal (to name just a small few!) makes it an ideal choice for long-term gardening. Our full ingredients list for this product can be found on the product listing!
How to Reuse TurboDirt
To reuse TurboDirt, you have the choice of remixing the soil out of the pot and re-adding organic matter and nutrients, or you can proceed to a No-Till garden style and top dress your nutrition and compost. When preparing the soil between harvests, options such as removing old plant roots and adding additional nutrients can be considered. However most gardeners are really seeing the benefit of leaving the majority of the matter within the soil.
For optimal growth and yield of your plants, it is crucial to add the right nutrients to your soil. Dr Greenthumbs TurboDirt is already enriched with organic ingredients and nutrients, but to ensure the long-term health of your soil, we recommend adding our specially formulated fertilizers, Go & Grow and Bud & Bloom.
These 100% organic dry amendments are the perfect choice for reusing TurboDirt for multiple growing cycles. To use, simply add ¼ cup of each to 30L of used TurboDirt, and mix well. Alternatively, for a No Till approach, you can top dress the soil with these amendments. The combination of Go & Grow + Bud & Bloom used in equal amounts, will result in an All Purpose fertilizer blend that will keep your plants thriving.
During the vegetative cycle, if you notice your plants requiring additional nutrients in either the vegetative or flowering stages, top dress the soil with these products. This will provide a much-needed boost to your plants and keep them healthy. In the same fashion, Bud & Bloom can we used throughout the flowering cycle. Full usage instructions are included on these products.
Remember, organic nutrients take time to break down and release into the soil, so it is best to address any deficiencies in between cycles to allow time for these nutrients to take effect. By using Dr Greenthumbs Go & Grow and Bud & Bloom, you can ensure the long-term health and vitality of your TurboDirt and your plants.
Tips for Maintaining Soil Health
Maintaining the health and vitality of your soil over time is essential for the success of your plants. One important aspect of soil maintenance is proper watering and fertilizing. Wet and dry fluctuations can have negative effects on your roots' ability to take up nutrients, so consistency is key.
Luckily, gardeners have a few options for achieving consistent watering. One approach is to use a low-pressure stream provided by a "pump sprayer pack". These packs are affordable, easy to use, and deliver water evenly across the soil's surface as you move the jet back and forth. This is an easy and effective way to keep your soil hydrated.
For larger gardens, automatic gravity-fed systems like Blumats can work wonders. These systems ensure consistent watering and take the guesswork out of the equation. And for those interested in other styles of growing, TurboDirt Water Only Soil has shown to perform exceptionally well in Self Irrigated Planters and Earth Boxes.
By paying attention to watering and fertilizing, you can help ensure that your soil stays healthy and vibrant for years to come.
Potential Risks and Drawbacks
Maintaining soil health is crucial for successful gardening with TurboDirt, and while reusing it is beneficial & suggested, there are potential risks to keep in mind for people who may be a bit more "willy nilly". One such risk is nutrient depletion which can occur if customers fail to add back the recommended nutrients. This can lead to deficiencies in plant growth, which is an issue that gardeners must address if they want to get exceptional results.
Another potential risk is soil-borne pests like fungus gnats and detrimental arthropods, which can infest the soil and damage the plants (slaters, earwigs etc). But there are ways to mitigate these risks with some simple observations and by keeping a few simple products on hand. For example, gardeners can add additional nutrients as recommended above, or use natural pest control methods. For example, for calcium and magnesium boosting, "Ocean Grown Cal Mag" can be used very successfully, while "Diatomaceous Earth" is effective for suppressing soil-dwelling pests such as Fungus Gnats or problematic Arthropods.
By staying vigilant and taking these precautions, gardeners can enjoy the benefits of reusing TurboDirt without any drawbacks for many years and growing cycles!
Tips and Tricks for Successful Reuse
To successfully reuse TurboDirt & in addition to the above tips & tricks, we recommend utilizing the use cover crops and monitoring your soil's quality and readings for moisture levels, pH, and EC fluctuations.
Cover crops can add several benefits when reusing TurboDirt:
- Soil structure improvement: Cover crops can improve the physical structure of the soil by reducing compaction, improving aeration and drainage, and preventing erosion.
- Nutrient cycling: Cover crops can take up nutrients from the soil and store them in their biomass, which can then be released back into the soil when the cover crop is incorporated.
- Organic matter addition: Cover crops can add organic matter to the soil, which improves soil health by increasing water-holding capacity, providing a food source for beneficial microorganisms, and enhancing soil structure.
- Weed suppression: Cover crops can help suppress weed growth by outcompeting weeds for resources and shading the soil, making it difficult for weed seeds to germinate.
Monitoring pH in TurboDirt is important to ensure optimal plant growth and nutrient uptake. The pH of the soil affects the solubility and availability of nutrients to the plant. If the pH is too high or too low, certain nutrients may become unavailable to the plant, which can lead to deficiencies and poor growth.
For example, if the pH of the soil is too low (acidic), essential nutrients such as phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium may become less available to the plant, even if they are present in the soil. On the other hand, if the pH is too high (alkaline), certain micronutrients like iron, zinc, and copper may become less available.
By monitoring pH, growers can make adjustments to ensure the soil is within the optimal range for their plants, which can lead to healthier and more productive crops.
In addition, it's important to properly store and label used TurboDirt to keep track of its age and nutrient levels. Storing the soil in a cool, dry place can help preserve its quality for future use.
Reusing TurboDirt is a cost-effective and sustainable way to grow healthy plants in your indoor garden. With proper care and maintenance, TurboDirt can be reused for multiple growing cycles, reducing waste and lowering your carbon footprint. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this post, you can successfully reuse TurboDirt and enjoy the benefits of a thriving indoor garden.
