What Is Living Soil?
With the rise of boutique cannabis comes the demand for alternative ways of growing. Cultivators have diversified away from more common growing methods to sustainable alternatives. Living soil is a growing method rapidly gaining popularity across the U.S., but what is it and how does it benefit a cannabis plant?
It is common to see cultivators use a substrate such as a coco fiber to grow their plants and feeding nutrients in a mix. However, a rise in demand for organic and sustainable growing methods has led many to look into alternatives such as living soil.
According to an article published by MJ Biz Daily, "Living soil is often thought of as planting material that centers on compost and has an active microbiology and biodiversity, which can include worms and their castings, protozoa, healthy bacteria, amoebas, kelp extracts, and even glacial rock dust."
Living soil creates an ecosystem for the cannabis plant to thrive in. If done correctly, the need for commercially produced nutrients is eliminated in favor of organic composts and teas to adjust the soil. Predator bugs, such as worms, provide protection for the roots from pests that feed on them.
The desired result is a food web that mimics a cannabis plant's ideal habitat in nature. In an article published by Cannabis Business Times, "Using organic living soil in your indoor cannabis growing facility is a sustainable, low-waste growing method, as well as a beautiful example of how scientific application and Mother Nature can work together. This balance creates a mutually beneficial web of life that can create smooth, high-quality cannabis that some growers...believe is a difference you can taste."
In an industry with a consumer market that heavily values sustainability, not only can methods such as living soil be a smart investment for your wallet, but also a great marketing point. In a previous article, we discussed ways CBD brands could curate content that promotes transparency and trustworthiness with consumers. The same rule can be applied to medical and recreational cannabis brands.
Living soil is a niche within the cannabis cultivation segment of the market gaining popularity as brands focus on sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint. By creating an ecosystem for the plants, growers are able to provide a nurturing environment that is eco-friendly. Additionally, it opens up new content that promotes sustainability and eco-responsibility that consumers will appreciate.