The next stop is the paint department . We need a quart of flat white paint , but we don ’ t need top quality . We are doing two coats regardless , so go mid-range and spend around 15 dollars . Also , pick up a roller and paint tray , which will set you back another ten bucks . After you have these items , go to the lumber department and get the least expensive 4x8-foot quarter-inch plywood . Fiberboard is totally okay if it is the cheapest . Buy two sheets , which will be around forty dollars for both pieces of wood combined . The lumber people have a big saw and will give you two free cuts with each purchase . Have them cut your plywood so that you now have two 4x6-foot sheets . Save the 4x2-foot scraps because you can always use them for something . Also , get two sets of inexpensive hinges for around five dollars .
Our grow light is the only thing we may not want to purchase locally , as this garden is on a low budget . If we had more money , we would buy lights at our grow supply store . If your budget is tight , go on your computer and look for an iPower brand MH / HPS dimmable , digital grow light on Amazon . Buy the model that is 1,000 watts and get one without the air-cooled hood . If you were able to follow my advice and use an air-conditioned room , you won ’ t need it . Make sure you order the full system with a metal halide bulb and a high-pressure sodium bulb so we can give our plants the proper light for their entire lifespan . The cost is $ 172 plus shipping — unless you can get free shipping .
Next stop , the indoor garden store . Here in Springfield , MO , only one place sells the plant food that I use ─ Dyna-Gro . I ’ ve used it since the late eighties and nothing else . The company is located in California , and it has a full line of products formulated specifically for cannabis production . When you use this plant food , you won ’ t need to know how to identify nutrient deficiencies because your plants won ’ t ever have any . This magic elixir is formulated in a lab , so you aren ’ t going to be an organic farmer , but it is manufactured under very high standards and is 100 % safe for fruits , vegetables , and our precious cannabis crop .
Last summer , out of curiosity , my sister and I grew two pots of banana peppers side by side . One pot was given simple organic food , and the other was fed with Dyna-Gro . When our crop matured , the Dyna- Gro outperformed the organic four-to-one with much bigger peppers . Though we didn ’ t conduct a double-blind study or provide proper documentation , I still feel that our experiment proves that Dyna-Gro kicked ass , and I ’ m sure you will think so too .
The Springfield store where I buy my garden necessities is called AmGrowS , “ American Grower ’ s Supply .” They carry the full line of Dyna-Gro products and everything anyone growing cannabis would ever need . John Jouett , the owner , and Kelci ( see their photo on page 14 ) will gladly help you with any questions you might need answered . John is a highly experienced grower and a licensed medical caregiver . Although they specialize in teaching novices , even someone like me can learn new tricks when I talk to them . Remember , we are growing our crop on the lowest budget possible , but if you can afford to do it now or as you gain more experience , you might want to go somewhere like AmGrowS and upgrade your system . Because my funds are extremely limited right now , I ’ m still using cheap lights . When you see my buds in next month ’ s issue , you will see why I am okay with that . Trust me , my buds are nice .
We need two products from the Dyna-Gro line . Let ’ s get a quart of Dyna Grow and one quart of Dyna Bloom ( photos above ), which will be enough for several crops . While at the garden store , we will also pick up some soil . There are dozens of suitable soil options available . I am looking for something that contains no fertilizer because I want to add everything myself . I also want soil that is light and spongy so that I have good drainage and moisture retention . Pick up what I am using to save you time looking for something . Put a 3.8 cubic foot bail of Pro Mix HP into your cart or have someone help you — it weighs 60 pounds ( photo on left ). The “ HP ” stands for high porosity , which meets our needs . It will be light and spongy , giving us nice healthy roots that receive lots of nutrients .
The Dyna products will cost around $ 53 , and the soil will be another $ 64 . You can also pick up some two-to-five-gallon containers if you want , but I got mop buckets at the dollar store and drilled holes in the bottom . My cost was six dollars . You can also pick up a PH tester , but if you follow my lead , you won ’ t need one . Buying one will cost about 20 bucks , and I added it to our budget . Including the tester , we spent $ 412 . Add tax and make it $ 440 , which is way under our budget . You still have $ 160 left from our original $ 600 , which you can use to help pay for the extra electricity you will use . You might also use some of it to get some seeds or clones . This will depend on legality and availability , which varies greatly from place to place . I have no advice on this matter . If I were you , I would spend any unspent funds at your local dispensary because it will be a few months before you have your own buds .
Have fun shopping for your supplies . Watch for the next issue and more home-grow secrets revealed .
Jay Richardson is a highly experienced home cultivator adept at producing top-quality edibles in a home environment . You can find his growing tips and cannaeducational information monthly in The EVOLUTION Magazine and on his youtube . com /@ bobosbotanicals / featured channel , where he also adds a humorous touch . His sense of humor is displayed on his new novelty tee shirts , available at www . ThatBadassShirt . com .
April 2023 45