Living Soils and Growing Better Cannabis
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? In the modern age, we can sometimes lose sight of the miraculous processes happening all around us, perfected through millennia of evolution occurring without us humans having to lift a finger. Earth’s soils are one such example; in what we consider a handful of regular ol’ dirt is actually a microcosm of organic creatures and processes that help grow our food and regulate our planet.
These “living soils” are called such because of the vast web of biodiversity housed (living) within them, down to the most microscopic levels. Just like there is helpful bacteria in your gut biome, microbial life in the soils create a plentiful food web that feeds plants, fungi, and our bodies. Basically, Mama Gaia has got soil science down pat. But do we?
For the discerning cannabis cultivator, living soils mitigate negative impact to the environment and reduce reliance on potting soils or fertilizers that have to be packaged and transported via the use of fossil fuels. The folks who know will also tell you it simply grows better weed.
The science of why is not as simple. Life in the soil helps cycle nutrients through constantly shifting eco-systems, which in turn manifests as complex flavors, aromas, or other profiles in a plant fed from that soil. When food or cannabis crops lack complex nutrient diversity, you get the bland grocery store apple that doesn’t taste anything like the ones from grandma’s backyard. It is the intricate profiles from the soil that give your favorite strains its scent or effect. For a deeper dive on this process, check out Whole Grow’s explainer on living soils and cannabis.
In recent decades, however, industrialized cannabis has turned to hydroponics and synthetic soil inputs to produce massive yields. These methods, as many legacy growers will argue, have turned back on the organic stewardship principles that provide the best conditions for cultivation for human consumption. As a result, we lose vital nutrients that help cannabis do its job to heal, rejuvenate, or inspire.
For growers of any size, investing in soil biology can see major returns over time. On top of not having to take soil in and out of an operation, as it will be reused, living soil in a no-till environment will need significantly less water over time. Water consumption in drought areas can also be lessened by investigating what organic compounds in the soil will help retain moisture. So living soils aren’t just better for the plant and planet, but also yield savings in time, money, and labor required on the part of the cultivator. Similarly, in an industry that is becoming increasingly aware of its own massive carbon footprint, a commitment to sustainable soil-grown cannabis can be leveraged as a competitive edge or a testiment to an organization’s ethos.
So how does one go about bringing the soil to life? There’s no one-size-fits all answer, as the ideal recipe for your own living soil may vary based on where you grow and what environmental conditions exist there. A quick Google or YouTube search can instruct anyone how to source their own starter inputs, mix layers, and feed the soil over time. We like Stewart Maxwell’s not-so-secret potting soil recipe, which is chock full of stuff like feather meal, moss, and compost to give your plants the sophisticated diet they deserve. Whether you’re all in, or just curious about feeding your soil, there’s a wealth of information online and in books that can point you in the right direction for your budget, crop size, and locale.