Prepare Soil

Marijuana Horticulture

by Jorge Cervantes

Help reduce the stress by growing seedlings in tall containers which will produce a strong root system and a plant that has a better chance of surviving in tough conditions. Adding water-absorbing polymers in the plant mix is an excellent defense against desiccation, too. The crystals expand up to 15 times when watered, making moisture available to the roots for longer periods of time. Slow-release crystals will allow an extended period between watering. This is very helpful if your patch is in a remote location that you cannot visit often.

Mountain areas can have poor soil and will need to be improved before planting for best results. Dig holes at least 18 inches wide by 18 inches deep for each plant. Place a handful of blood meal on the bottom and three to four inches of soil on top of it before transplanting the cuttings or seedling, then water heavily. A little effort preparing the planting holes will result in healthier plants and a heavier harvest.

n an incline, planting holes must be terraced into the hillside and be large enough to catch runoff water. Dig extra gullies to channel runoff to growing plants, and make a “dish” around the plants t hold water.

Plants remain smaller in rocky terrain but often go unseen because they are grown where no on expects to see them.

Clay forms an excellent underground planting container. After a good rain, dig large planting holes. Fill holes with lots f good dirt and compost. Backfill in layers; for example, fill a three foot deep hole with an eight inch layer of steamed bone-meal and soil. The balance is made up of a thin layer of topsoil mixed with a rich compost-manure-straw mixture, rock phosphate, and seaweed meal. Mound compost and soil about a foot above ground level. It will settle during growing season.

Prepare to plant by digging a big hole and placing boards at the bottom to stop downward water flow. Add compost, peat moss, coco peat, good soil, organic nutrient, polymers, and dolomite lime – all will help soil hold water – then top with a concave bowl of soil that will catch rain and irrigation water.