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Living soil concentrate

Original Recipe

Prepare a living soil mix before you plant. Original Recipe brings organic nutrients, beneficial microorganisms and fungi together in one concentrate. Mix it with organic potting soil using the layered Super Soil Method or the fully mixed Living Soil Method.

See how to use it ↓

$25.951 lb · Free US retail shipping

Original Recipe product packaging, 5 lb shownEnlarge image
Packaging pictured: 5 lb. Selected size: 1 lb.
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$25.95 each
Concentrate calculator: how much do I need?

Enter your whole pot’s size, even if you are only mixing concentrate into the bottom third. This is for a new mix with organic potting soil.

1 lb of concentrate in total

16 oz by weight · 3.2 oz of concentrate by weight per gallon of total container volume.

Lowest-cost bag combination in this catalog: 1 × 1 lb ($25.95).

Choose 1 lb →

Mix all the measured concentrate into the bottom third of the container; fill the upper two-thirds with plain potting soil.

Read complete directions →

For a fresh soil mix only. For top feeding, compost tea or reused soil, use the separate directions or ask NLS.

Typically ships within one business day after payment.

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Choosing your size

The selected size is the weight of NLS amendment in the bag, not a bag of finished potting soil.

Choose an amount for your container size and application method. Your selected package size is shown with the price.

Read Original Recipe directions

WHAT IT BRINGS TO YOUR GROW

Why choose Original Recipe?

One blend to measure

Combine our blend of organic amendments with your potting soil instead of assembling the amendments separately.

Two ways to prepare your pot

Choose an amended bottom layer or mix the concentrate throughout your potting soil.

Use beyond a new mix

The directions also cover top dressing and compost tea for plants already growing.

FIND YOUR FIT

Is it right for your grow?

Choose Original Recipe for our original formula when preparing a new soil mix. Growing autoflowering plants? Compare Autoflower. For a mix without animal-derived ingredients, explore Katie’s Vegan Soil.

Compare all products ↗

SIMPLE STEPS

How to use Original Recipe

You need organic potting soil and your NLS concentrate. Choose one way to mix them below. Do not plant in concentrate by itself.

SEE HOW IT WORKS

Original Recipe: visual guide

Go at your own pace
Original Recipe bag
Original Recipe
Weigh
Use a scale
Use a scale for ounces by weight.
Step 1 of 4

Check the size of your pot. Use a scale to weigh 3.2 oz of NLS concentrate for each gallon the whole pot holds. For a 5-gallon pot, use 16 oz (1 lb).

Amount to use3.2 oz of concentrate by weight per gallon of total container volume.

Choose this method OR the whole-pot method. Do not do both. Picture your pot in three equal layers: the NLS mix goes in the bottom layer.

Super Soil Method — mix into the bottom layer

3.2 oz of concentrate by weight per gallon of total container volume.

  1. Check the size of your pot. Use a scale to weigh 3.2 oz of NLS concentrate for each gallon the whole pot holds. For a 5-gallon pot, use 16 oz (1 lb).
  2. In a separate container, mix that concentrate with enough organic potting soil to fill the bottom third of your pot. Stir it well.
  3. Put the mix in the bottom third of your pot. Fill the rest with plain organic potting soil. Do not add more concentrate to this top layer.
  4. Plant in the plain soil at the top. Then water your plant.

Choose this method OR the whole-pot method. Do not do both. Picture your pot in three equal layers: the NLS mix goes in the bottom layer.

Living Soil Method — mix through the whole pot

3.2 oz of concentrate by weight per gallon of soil you are preparing.

  1. Measure how much soil you will use. Weigh 3.2 oz of concentrate for each gallon of soil. For 5 gallons of soil, use 16 oz (1 lb). If a 5-gallon pot holds only 3 gallons of soil, use 9.6 oz. Do not count the empty space.
  2. Mix the concentrate evenly into the organic potting soil. Fill your pot with this mix.
  3. Make a hole in the mix about the size of a 16-fluid-ounce drinking cup. Fill this hole with plain organic potting soil. Put your plant in this plain-soil spot, then water.

Choose this method OR the bottom-layer method. Do not do both. The plain-soil spot gives your plant a place to start.

Top feeding — sprinkle on the soil

1 tablespoon of concentrate per plant.

  1. Measure 1 tablespoon for each plant. Sprinkle it on top of the soil, then water.
  2. Repeat every few waterings. If you have already added other plant food, ask NLS before adding more.

Use these steps for Original Recipe, Autoflower or Katie’s Vegan Soil. Girl Flower Power has different directions.

Compost tea — mix the concentrate with water

Per gallon of water: 2 tablespoons of concentrate. Optional but recommended: 2 tablespoons of unsulfured blackstrap molasses.

  1. Add 2 level tablespoons of concentrate to 1 gallon of water. Do not use heaping spoonfuls. If using molasses, add 2 tablespoons of unsulfured blackstrap molasses.
  2. Let the mix sit for 2–8 hours. Stir it now and then. If you need to adjust the pH (how acidic the water is), use a target of 6.5.
  3. The first time, use a half dose. Ask NLS how much of the finished tea to give your plant before you pour it on.
Full Original Recipe directions & labels ↗

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