Frequently Asked Questions

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We recommend following the 30/30/30/5/5. 30% compost, 30% MSB aero char (or perlite), 30% peat,5% nutrient amendments, 5% local soil(forest floor).

Local soil will provide the many Indigenous Microorganisms that are made to survive in your area.  Mixing with our blend will activate all microbes into super charge mode.  

Yes, adding anything organic in moderation is great for your soil also keeping it moist not saturated.  Under and over saturating your soil will cause unwanted fungi and bacteria to grow.  The best way to combat this is to ensure your soil has proper drainage.  What this means is that if you pour water on top of the plant it absorbs into the soil.  You can add our special blended bio char which we call “aero rater” to your soil.

The first thing you will want to test is the PH of your soil.  Make sure to test several areas around your garden.  If you notice you have a problem area in your grow area most of the time it is due to improper PH levels.  PH imbalances mostly occur when there is an abundance of one source of organic material.  For example, low PH commonly occurs under pine trees because pine needles are very acidic.  Next, we would recommend testing for macro nutrient NPK Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.  There are many test kits that will give you a general idea of what is in the soil.  For anything further, we recommend having a soil lab test your sample.  

No, not unless you are growing in a pot.  Most ground worms will migrate quickly to your area.  The best worms to purchase are nightcrawlers for aeration.  They tend to travel deep into the soil and carry nutrients along the way.  Red wigglers are best used for breaking down organic material. They tend to only stay in the top three to six inches of soil.

The easiest way is to make a trench about 6-12” from plant using your finger about 1” deep, sprinkle your nutrients based on suggested feeding schedule, then cover with soil.  For best results you should take your nutrients and mix with 1 cup of organic compost and then top dress or simply spread around your plant.   

The liquid that is in wet nutrients is water so why pay to have water shipped.  Also, water soluble and wet nutrients are washed away with each watering or rain.  Dry nutrients break down at a much slower rate allowing the plant to receive more

This really tends to be personal preference.  With wet nutrients you will have more instant plant available nutrients.  Wet nutrients are easier to amend deep into the soil.   We at MSB provide both as certain circumstances require one over the other. Wet are used when watering in is the only option.  Dry are used in more soil planting operations. 

1.Nitrogen: Nitrate which is the form of nitrogen that plants use which helps your plants grow strong by affecting the plant’s leaf development. Nitrates also help produce chlorophyll which helps give plants their pretty vibrant green color. Your plant may have a nitrogen deficit if the leaves are yellowing or lightening, or the plant is slow growing having fallen out of super charge mode.  

2. Phosphorus: Phosphorus is important for the root structure of your plants and shields your plants from environmental stressors and harsh environments.  

3. Potassium: Potassium helps your plants grow strong throughout the life of your plant but most importantly in the plant’s early stages of growth. It helps your plant retain water and shields your plant of insects. 

There are many nutrients needed for plants but there are seven essential micronutrients in plants. Some nutrients control the permeability of a cell membrane while others control the osmotic pressure, buffer action, etc. Boron (B), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Chlorine (Cl) are some of the important micronutrients in plants. Lack of any of these nutrients affects growth and development. 

If your plant is lacking Boron it is likely to have a deformation of the leaves which also may appear discolored which is a sign of Chlorosis.   If your plant is lacking Chlorine the leaves of the plants may be wilting and can also show signs of chlorosis.  If your plant is lacking Copper, the tips of the leaves will be twisted and plant dehydration in has likely set in and overall Chlorosis will be present.  If you plant is lacking Iron, you will notice Chlorosis between the veins of the new leave If your plant is lacking Molybdenum, you will see chlorosis in the older leaves. If your plant is lacking Manganese, you will see chlorosis develop between the veins of the new leaves. If your plant is lacking Zinc, you will notice that your younger leaves may be growing slower than normal. 

There are five main different types of soil microbes: bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, protozoa and nematodes. Each of these microbe types have a different job to boost soil and plant health.   Bacteria Crucial to soil, Bacteria is the main processor converting organic nutrients into plant available nutrients. In fact, the Food and Agriculture Organization once said “Bacteria may well be the most valuable of life forms in the soil.” W at MSB believe this is the most important component and the number one reason we include it in all of our Better series blends many beneficial types of bacteria.   Actinomycetes   are formerly classified as fungi. Some actinomycetes could harm the plant while others living in the soil can act as antibiotics for the plant.  At MSB our blends will include specialized amounts of beneficial Actinomycetes to help defend any predators in the soil.     Fungi live in the root zone providing plants with available nutrients. Fungi also plays an important role in the uptake of nutrients into the plants root system providing sugars, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.  We at MSB have selected a specialized Mycorrhizae fungi set to help protect and feed your plants with the upmost nutrition.   Protozoa is the predator of bacteria. When consumed it releases nutrients to the plant that the bacteria were consuming.  We at MSB in certain blends include specialized food that will feed the protozoa causing a supercharged soil.   Nematodes are small worms that live within the plant and soil. Some are predators while most are beneficial in keeping the plants healthy.  We at MSB in certain blends include specialized food that will feed the Nematodes causing a supercharged soil.