Super soil is a cultivation methodology where the growing medium is engineered to supply all necessary nutrients from the start, eliminating the need for bottled liquid fertilizers. This approach transforms the soil into a biologically active, self-sustaining ecosystem that feeds the plant organically throughout its life cycle. By pre-loading the medium with concentrated amendments, the grower aims for a simple “water-only” regimen. This technique relies on a diverse microbial population to slowly break down and release minerals in a form the plant can uptake.
Essential Components for Super Soil
Creating a functional super soil begins with selecting a quality base media that provides structure, aeration, and water retention. Many growers start with a high-quality organic potting mix, often containing ingredients like peat moss or coco coir, along with perlite or vermiculite for drainage. Using a base that is not “hot” or pre-fertilized is preferred, as it allows for precise control over the added nutrient load. The goal is to build a foundation that supports the microbial life responsible for nutrient delivery.
The next layer introduces the primary nutrient amendments, supplying the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) required for plant growth. Nitrogen sources, which support leafy vegetative growth, often include blood meal or high-nitrogen bat guano. Phosphorus supports healthy root development and flower formation, and is often supplied using ingredients like bone meal or high-phosphorus bat guano. Using multiple sources for the same nutrient ensures both fast-acting and slow-releasing nutrient availability throughout the entire grow cycle.
A third category of components focuses on enhancing the soil’s biological and mineral profile, establishing the “living” soil aspect. Worm castings are a staple addition, serving as a mild, balanced fertilizer rich in organic matter and beneficial microbes. Trace minerals and pH buffers are necessary to ensure long-term nutrient availability and proper uptake. Dolomite lime, for instance, provides calcium and magnesium while stabilizing the soil pH, preventing acidity that can suppress microbial activity. Other micronutrient sources, such as kelp meal and azomite, provide a broad spectrum of trace elements that support overall plant health.
Step-by-Step Mixing and Curing Process
The preparation of super soil involves thorough blending, followed by a mandatory curing phase that transforms the raw ingredients into a living medium. The mixing process requires combining the base soil with all the concentrated dry amendments in a large container or on a tarp. The goal is to achieve a completely homogenous mixture, ensuring high-concentration amendments are evenly distributed throughout the soil volume. This prevents pockets of dense nutrients that could cause severe localized nutrient burn when roots encounter them.
Once thoroughly mixed, the curing phase must begin, allowing the soil’s microbial ecosystem to activate and start the decomposition process. This period allows the soil biology to break down the concentrated, raw amendments into mineralized forms that plants can absorb. This biological breakdown process makes the soil safe for plant roots and prevents nutrient burn. Without this curing time, the highly concentrated ingredients would overwhelm and damage young plants.
Optimal curing requires the soil to be moist, but not saturated, and stored in a dark, shaded environment, such as a covered container or large drum. The moisture level must support microbial activity without becoming anaerobic (lacking oxygen). The curing period typically lasts between four and eight weeks, depending on the ambient temperature and amendment concentration. During this time, the soil should be aerated or “turned” every few days to maintain oxygen flow, encouraging beneficial aerobic bacteria and fungi to thrive.
Using Super Soil for a Water-Only Grow Cycle
Applying cured super soil requires a specific layering technique because the highly amended, or “hot,” soil is too potent for seedlings or newly transplanted clones. Therefore, the super soil is placed only in the bottom third of the final growing container, where it serves as a nutrient reservoir. The top two-thirds of the container are then filled with a milder, un-amended organic potting mix or a lighter base soil.
This layering ensures that the young plant’s sensitive roots grow through the mild topsoil first, establishing themselves before reaching the concentrated nutrient zone. By the time the roots penetrate the lower layer of super soil, the plant is mature enough to handle the full nutrient load required for the vegetative and flowering stages. Using containers, such as five-gallon fabric pots or larger, is recommended to ensure the plant has access to a sufficient volume of nutrients to last the entire growth cycle.
The central tenet of this method is the “water-only” approach, which significantly simplifies the grower’s routine after initial preparation. Water management involves consistently supplying the plants with clean water that is pH-neutral or slightly acidic (typically 6.0 to 7.0). External liquid fertilizers or nutrient supplements should be avoided, as they can disrupt the established microbial balance and lead to nutrient lockout or burn. If deficiencies appear late in the cycle, a simple microbial tea or mild organic top-dressing can be used, but the soil is designed to perform without these additions.