Zen Garden 2025

[Zen_seeker]

What's the difference between 'worker' microbes and 'fertilizer' microbes?

AI explains it better than I. There are also the defender type microbes like we use in lacto/milk, but I’ll stick to your question.

Worker microbes are primarily involved in the breakdown of organic matter and the recycling of nutrients.
They perform various functions that support soil health and plant growth, including:

• Decomposers: They break down dead plant and animal material, releasing nutrients back into the soil.
• Soil Structure: They help improve soil structure by creating aggregates, which enhances aeration and water retention.
• Disease Suppression: Some worker microbes can outcompete or inhibit pathogens, promoting plant health.

Fertilizer microbes, on the other hand, are specifically involved in nutrient cycling, particularly in the fixation and solubilization of nutrients that are essential for plant growth.

• Nitrogen Fixation: Certain bacteria, like Rhizobium, convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use.
• Phosphate Solubilization: Some microbes can solubilize phosphorus from soil minerals, making it available to plants.
• Nutrient Mobilization: They help in mobilizing other essential nutrients, such as potassium and micronutrients, enhancing their availability to plants.

I should be able to spray by tomorrow late afternoon, so as not to get leaf burn.



Seems to be working.

The next morning… slowed down as it was only 20*-24*over night.




Edit: Stonemason had this to add offline. “I think the fertilizer microbes are dead microbe bodies from letting it brew to long, helps build soil structure. I could be wrong.”

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250807: GDP Autos Day 65

 

[Zen_seeker]

Preparing for mid afternoon foliar spray. I use the AI for searching and to double/triple check things. As an example I found three different ratios for mixing the JMS with water. 1:10 in the above instructions, 1:20 in the video I’m following, and 1:100 on web research. As I’m using a backpack sprayer I’ll see how thick the 1:20 is and go from there.


I use metric and imperial because most bottles of nutrients do as well as my containers.

I also tend to tell it to cut out the long winded explanations unless it’s something new to me and interesting.

 

[Zen_seeker]

After a bunch of debating I went with 500ml to 15 litres. Using the backpack sprayer I covered everything until saturated.



After spraying the GDP, vegetables, sunflowers, and all our gardens I still had enough to do the smaller bushes. This left me with just over 4 lites in the sprayer. Surprised it went so far.

This morning it was still looking good and bubbling away. This left me with about 4 gallons of JMS.

I used this to help recharge the soil by pouring 1 litre into each crate and the sunflowers, GDP Autos got it too.



Our inside TB sunflower is getting ready to open. Love how they grow in size to match their environment.

And now I find out we have an unexpected thunderstorm coming through.

I hate our meteorologists, can’t even get it right 24hrs into the future.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Still no rain. Always skips us or just doesn’t happen. Maybe Tuesday.



Plants had ProCal added to the last two waterings. Sounds like it won’t help much. Gypsum needs to be added to future soil mixes to help prevent. The heat and humidity is just too high for some of the plants. But the GDP seem okay.









Fighting heat stress and drought conditions. Most of the plants needed double watering last week.


My backup water bottle. Around 5 gallons.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250812: GDP Autos Day 69





Still filling out. Out of rain water since last week so I’ve been adding tap water to the barrel. I doubt we’ll see any rain but even if we do 1-3mm isn’t going to cut it.

Looks like another hot and humid night.

 

[Zen_seeker]

We finally got rain! It kept waking me as it happened over night but that’s okay. At least two rain barrels are full.

Six more Roma tomatoes had the BER. Two bell peppers got it as well. So far everything else is fine.

Watermelon leaves look a little yellow closest to the roots. First time growing them so I’ll have to look that up.

Cucumbers are swelling and growing again. All the heat had made some of the new ones shrivel and quit.

Day 70. The GDP Autos are looking great. I’m worried all the hot humid weather and now all the rain might cause bud rot. After shaking off excess water I’ve pulled open a few bud sites to let air get in there. I considered using the blower on them but the airs so damp would it make any difference?

Only a high of 30* today. Cloudy and humid.

 

[doublej]

We finally got rain! It kept waking me as it happened over night but that’s okay. At least two rain barrels are full.

Six more Roma tomatoes had the BER. Two bell peppers got it as well. So far everything else is fine.

Watermelon leaves look a little yellow closest to the roots. First time growing them so I’ll have to look that up.

Cucumbers are swelling and growing again. All the heat had made some of the new ones shrivel and quit.

Day 70. The GDP Autos are looking great. I’m worried all the hot humid weather and now all the rain might cause bud rot. After shaking off excess water I’ve pulled open a few bud sites to let air get in there. I considered using the blower on them but the airs so damp would it make any difference?

Only a high of 30* today. Cloudy and humid.

Like a leaf blower? If it were me I'd try something, not to turbos speed or anything

 

[Zen_seeker]

Like a leaf blower? If it were me I'd try something, not to turbos speed or anything

Already got it out. Handy tool.

 

[doublej]

Already got it out. Handy tool.
View attachment 111062

Yeah bud if go for it.....

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250813: GDP Autos Day 71









Pics are from yesterday morning after the overnight storms. Soggy but doing well. Hoping they will be done by mid September.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Already got it out. Handy tool.
View attachment 111062

I did this last Fall and it worked great. I hope to get some cover set up before late flower, this year. I've had several things planned that I haven't accomplished, though.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I did this last Fall and it worked great. I hope to get some cover set up before late flower, this year. I've had several things planned that I haven't accomplished, though.

I’ve used it in the past with my large in-ground plant Twin 2. It’s probably my most used tool these days. Wife loves it for clearing sidewalks/driveway.

I’ve got a list that keeps growing. Seems everything we replaced a decade ago is failing now. Most I can fix but can’t find parts.

We couldn’t find the special bulbs for the basement vanity light so we decided to replace it with just a regular bulb fixture. Found out the electrical box was hacked in and the drywall wasn’t even level or primed. It’s taken days to build it up and sand it because of all the humidity. I’m planning to paint it the matching wall color today.



Almost done.


I’d like to put crates in each corner of my garden to raise the greenhouse higher. More of a cover. Then I can drape material over the top as a sun shade when needed. Need to get the extra crates first.

Didn’t you drape a sun screen over your t-frames, you find it’s enough?

Edit: 20250816
All done. Nothing fancy or professional. It’s better than when I started and now we can use regular sized bulbs which is what my wife wanted. The wall and electrical box got improved but could have been better.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Hot but humidity is way down, strong winds from the south are making it a nice day.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

I’ve used it in the past with my large in-ground plant Twin 2. It’s probably my most used tool these days. Wife loves it for clearing sidewalks/driveway.

I’ve got a list that keeps growing. Seems everything we replaced a decade ago is failing now. Most I can fix but can’t find parts.

We couldn’t find the special bulbs for the basement vanity light so we decided to replace it with just a regular bulb fixture. Found out the electrical box was hacked in and the drywall wasn’t even level or primed. It’s taken days to build it up and sand it because of all the humidity. I’m planning to paint it the matching wall color today.

View attachment 111226View attachment 111227

Almost done.
View attachment 111228

I’d like to put crates in each corner of my garden to raise the greenhouse higher. More of a cover. Then I can drape material over the top as a sun shade when needed. Need to get the extra crates first.

Didn’t you drape a sun screen over your t-frames, you find it’s enough?

Yes. I just got the 30% sunshade. Pretty light cover, but it makes a huge difference. I haven"t measured temps outside versus under the shade, but it feels significant.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250817: GDP Autos Day 74





Main colas are water bottle size. Some side branches are drooping lower now.

Woke up to rain at 3am this morning. It’s good to have it as anything we haven’t watered is brown and/or shrivelled. We had less humidity the last couple of days but the gardens all needed double the water.

Picked up a large bag of gypsum, it was on sale so I didn’t pay tax just $30.

Started a new batch of JMS. I’d like to get the old soil in a few garden beds rejuvenated after doing another foliar spray. Later I’ll start a IMO and see if I can start making my own microbes over the fall/winter.


Stonemason mentioned I could farm the Mykos/Azos as well. I have one tote left so I can give that a shot too.

Something called the collection or Seed IMO is a way to keep microbes in the soil alive a few years so that’s another step I’ll try. Just needs rice and brown sugar. After that IMO3&4 can be started.

I’d like to head back to the woods once again and get the better soil mid week when the area isn’t so busy. It’s darker and richer, even had Trillium growing the last time I was there.

Still haven’t made up my mind on which seeds to pop next. Never had this many options before. After losing half our crop to males the last two runs I’m thinking fems are step one.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend people’s.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

I'm jealous of those big colas. Very nice! I'm early in flower outdoors, but need to figure out what to use to encourage bud development. Last year I had decent sized plants, but small colas. I'd guess some of it was not trimming enough to focus growth where I want it, but I also need to study up on nutrients. Especially if outdoors needs something different.

I love following your KNF efforts. You've jumped right in and are doing some neat stuff . It's something I plan to work on in the future.

 

[ninjadip]

20250807: GDP Autos Day 65


View attachment 110429

View attachment 110430

View attachment 110431

Man I've been missing out on this thread! These girls look amazing

 

[Zen_seeker]

I'm jealous of those big colas. Very nice! I'm early in flower outdoors, but need to figure out what to use to encourage bud development.

I normally top a plant at least once but as these came from G$ I took his advice and didn’t muck with them. Gives me a chance to see how they do on their own as well. It’s my first time growing autos so I had/have no idea what to expect. Because of our strange spring and summer none of our plants are growing normally this year so can only guess that these are smaller than normal but they sure did pack on the buds. Hard and heavy too.

The soil is just normal Sunshine Mix #4. I only started top feeding with Gaia, mykos and worm castings. One JMS foliar and a milk shower are the extra efforts.

Last year I had decent sized plants, but small colas. I'd guess some of it was not trimming enough to focus growth where I want it, but I also need to study up on nutrients. Especially if outdoors needs something different.

I lollipop outdoor plants, really helps if it gets nasty and humid. The autos had so little growth there was no need.

My huge plant a few years ago I had to trim to stop WPM outbreaks. H2O2 and milk showers kept that at bay. Got lucky. Most others lost their outdoor that year.

I love following your KNF efforts. You've jumped right in and are doing some neat stuff . It's something I plan to work on in the future.

I’ve had an interest in it since Stonemason joined the old forum. It’s taken…4+ years to get this far. Mostly because of what’s required to get things started not being handy or local. My issue is I like instructions A-Z for when I try things, experimenting comes later. But KNF/Jadam is more free and open to trying things.

Space is the other issue. A lot of these things need time and space to do their thing before use. Then you need to store it. Each year I’ve tried one or two things. Now I’m ready to put some of it to use.

IIRC the FFJ (Fermented Fruit Juice) is the bloom booster for KNF. It’s an easy recipe that just uses a lot of brown sugar and a few weeks to make.

Double check Stonemasons KNF thread to see if the FFJ is right.

 

[Zen_seeker]

JMS is hopefully still brewing. Temperature dropped from 30*+ to 14* today.

I’ll be doing a morning JMS foliar spray shortly after i finish posting.
Update: That’s done, looked good.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

- Pesticide/Fungicide -
I’m going to give Stonemasons Jadam sulphur recipe a try too. I just need to grab some Lye. I scaled down the recipe to make just under 2 litres. You only need a few TSP/TBSP as this is strong stuff that can wipe out WPM in 24hrs.

Anyone else that doesn’t need 5 gallons here’s the 2 litre recipe.

You will need to make or buy Castile soap to complete the spray, don’t use the above directly.

- Jadam Sulphur Spray recipe -
The following is per gallon of water.
10ml/2tsp - Jadam Sulphur
90ml/3oz - Castile Soap

That’s it. Use only on places where outbreaks have occurred. This isn’t for preventative measures. Over use will destroy plant cells as well.

Here’s the guide:

This is the DIY Castile Soap:

 

[ninjadip]

JMS is hopefully still brewing. Temperature dropped from 30*+ to 14* today.

I’ll be doing a morning JMS foliar spray shortly after i finish posting.

- Pesticide/Fungicide -
I’m going to give Stonemasons Jadam sulphur recipe a try too. I just need to grab some Lye. I scaled down the recipe to make just under 2 litres. You only need a few TSP/TBSP as this is strong stuff that can wipe out WPM in 24hrs.

Anyone else that doesn’t need 5 gallons here’s the 2 litre recipe. View attachment 111526

You will need to make or buy Castile soap to complete the spray, don’t use the above directly.

- Jadam Sulphur Spray recipe -
The following is per gallon of water.
10ml/2tsp - Jadam Sulphur
90ml/3oz - Castile Soap

That’s it. Use only on places where outbreaks have occurred. This isn’t for preventative measures. Over use will destroy plant cells as well.

Here’s the guide:

This is the DIY Castile Soap:

How do you feel about neem oil as a preventative? I've had success with this and the plants usually like it in moderation

 

[Zen_seeker]

How do you feel about neem oil as a preventative? I've had success with this and the plants usually like it in moderation

It’s prohibited up here. Only place you can find it is Amazon. Not sure why they sell it as it’s illegal to use.

G$ has told me about it. Sounds like nasty stuff that’s a last resort.

 

[ninjadip]

Why

It’s prohibited up here. Only place you can find it is Amazon. Not sure why they sell it as it’s illegal to use.

G$ has told me about it. Sounds like nasty stuff that’s a last resort.

Is it illegal? I'll have to look it up, thanks didn't know

 

[ninjadip]

Why

Is it illegal? I'll have to look it up, thanks didn't know

Interesting to say the least, didn't know it was so controversial. Seems the biggest issues are lack of testing, standardization, and the variance between species/genetics of the trees, even when they look the same. I only use it in the grow stage, at about week 2-3, two applications, at least a week apart and then never have issues in flower. I'll have to research more

The Reality - Neem - NCBI Bookshelf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234647/

 

[Pipecarver]

I got to show off my new grow lights, should be here Wednesday
I have Red, Blue, Green and thought wtf....??? Black???...lol

 

[Zen_seeker]

I got to show off my new grow lights, should be here WednesdayView attachment 111539
I have Red, Blue, Green and thought wtf....??? Black???...lol

You’re making your own rainbow of lights!

I know you get good results with the reds and blues. Not sure about the green but why not.

Are the black lights real UV or just the type for showing off the cool velvet posters we had in the day? I had this one until I was married.

Sorry your trip was so short bud but glad to have you back with us.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Beautiful day. Been up by 6am or earlier the last few weeks. Today was one of the days that makes it worth while. Got everything sprayed and watered before 8am. Sun doesn’t hit the gardens until 10’ish due to the tall hedge.



All the sunflowers have heads started if not already flowering.

I’ve got my hole for the spearmint dug out and gave it a good soak of JMS. Even tossed the old earth soul into the hole for good measure. But I’ll wait for the smaller bees to move along before transplanting. They don’t bother me but why rush it if I don’t need too? Must be at least six of them crawling all over the flowers and hopping from stem to stem.

Oh, we have a few pot plants too.
Nothing on them at the moment. Wind is really blowing.







Guess that’s it for today. Need to feed them but that can wait. Enjoy the rest of your day folks.

 

[Pipecarver]

You’re making your own rainbow of lights!

I know you get good results with the reds and blues. Not sure about the green but why not.

Are the black lights real UV or just the type for showing off the cool velvet posters we had in the day? I had this one until I was married. View attachment 111554

Sorry your trip was so short bud but glad to have you back with us.

Thanks its good to be home too. I was reading about cannabis photography and they mentioned Black lights so I instantly amazoned and $20? sure why not Ultra violet uvc, googling said yes plants can use it but there's no talk about black light booster bars...enhancing a grow but eh, I'm going to bite on UVC lights but I'll wait until I'm in late flower to buy and use them.

My tents cleared out I can get in and mount my side lights and I'll add 1 Black light along with the green and 2 side lights at the back of my tent. Blues, Reds & full spec on top