Soil is obviously very important for Organic growing. For many years I bought Super soil, amended it with organic dry products and used bloom teas for good results. When I was done the 5 gallon plastic pots would be taken out back and dumped out, the containers cleaned and scrubbed and the whole process begun again.
Why? Why was the soil "used up"? I tried to re- use the soil with bad results. What's the difference between organic soil and living soil? Three big things. Now I use fabric pots to allow the plants to air prune, I don't use any teas instead I use worms and beneficial insects and third I protect and feed the soil with heavy mulch.
The MYCORRHIZIAL layer that you build is very important. Fungus and bacteria breaking down nutrients and buffering against all threats. From PH problems to pests and mold, your living soil will know what to do. Your soil is effectively "smart" soil.
The MYCORRHIZIAL layer is like a communication and nutrient pathway. It can call to arms chemical defenses against any normal threats that make the plant a hard target for pests and mold. This is essential because of the bug vs bug pest control approach. The soil is further supported by a living food web.
Worms are a must for living soil. They quickly break down nitrogen in the soil and leave behind castings that plants love. They are the king's of the domain. There will be multitudes of insects living and dying throughout the soil. They leave frass (poop) and their bodies behind to enrich the living soil. The more insect life the better.
This soil does not need anything but mulch and the plants own chop and drop. The insect world thrives when left alone. The worms prune the roots and fertilize them in return, the nemotodes and insects fill all the biological niches. When you cut the plant down for harvest the roots will quickly become fertilizer for the future crop.
The soil is being built, it becomes better with each succession. You should be cultivating your soil as much as your plants in this natural system. You will be happy with the results and the savings.
This method has proven to save time money and produce better results. More than organic a true permaculture approach. Best of luck on your grow, next time I will bring in the mother plants and do some cloning.
Steem on 🐋♨️🐡