🌱 Preparing smartSOIL – your foundation for growing
Congratulations – your complete system is in place, the lamp is hanging, the ventilation is purring and the smartTRAY is eagerly awaiting its grand entrance. Before the first plant takes root in your new setup, you still need to prepare the most important building block: the soil.
Because without a lively, healthy basis, even the most modern system becomes a sham. With our smartSOIL you create the perfect start – full of nutrients and microorganisms that mimic the real natural soil structure. You don’t need fertilizer here, the microbiome does the work for you.
🏗️ Step 1 – Fill in the right amount
The amount of smartSOIL depends on the size of your growBOX:
- XS/Small: 50 L smartSOIL
- Medium: 100 L smartSOIL
- Large: 150 L smartSOIL
- XL: 250 L smartSOIL
👉 No pi times the thumb experiments: Stick to the quantities so that soil life can get off to the best possible start.
đź’§ Step 2 – Add water
Soil life needs moisture to get going. The rule is simple: 10 % water from the amount of soil.
- 50 L smartSOIL → 5 L water
- 100 L smartSOIL → 10 L water
- 150 L smartSOIL → 15 L water
- 250 L smartSOIL → 25 L water
It is best to use stale tap water or rainwater – this will prevent chlorine from disturbing the hard-working microorganisms.
🌀 Step 3 – Mix & leave to rest
Mix smartSOIL and water thoroughly – evenly, but not too muddy.
Then cover the smartTRAY and leave the soil to rest for 14 days.
What happens during this time?
- Fungi spread their fine hyphae and form networks.
- Bacteria multiply explosively and release nutrients.
- Your substrate is transformed into a living biotope, ready for strong roots.
👉 Don’t worry: while the soil is preparing, you can already take care of the germination of your seeds.
If you are not working in a tray, but in fabric pots, the process remains the same:
- Fill in the required quantity of smartSOIL .
- Pour in 10 % water.
- Mix everything thoroughly.
- Cover the pot and leave it to rest for 7-10 days.
As the volume is smaller, a slightly shorter maturing time is sufficient here.
🌱 Why the rest period is so important
The two weeks are not an idle period, but the kickstart for your microbiome. During this time, fungi, bacteria & co. form a stable network that will later reliably supply your plants with nutrients. Think of it like an orchestra: Only when everyone is in tune does music come into play.
Optional: To give the microbiome in your soil an additional microbial boost, you can add compost tea once after the resting phase.
🧾 Brief summary
Pour smartSOIL into the tray (or fabric pots), add 10 % water, mix everything thoroughly and leave the substrate to rest for 7-14 days. This wakes up the soil life – and prepares the perfect start for your plants.
