How to Use Nature’s Living Soil for an Inexpensive Outdoor Grow (Autoflowers & Photoperiods)
If you’re looking to grow outdoors without breaking the bank, Nature’s Living Soil makes it easy, organic, and rewarding. With just water, sun, and some quality soil, you can grow sticky, flavorful, high-yielding cannabis in your backyard or garden — whether you’re growing autoflowers or photoperiod strains.
This guide breaks down the basics of using Nature’s Living Soil Concentrates with some grower-friendly strategies to get the most from your plants.
🛠️ What You’ll Need (for Both Autos & Photos)
Seeds: Autoflower or photoperiod cannabis seeds
Nature’s Living Soil Concentrate:
Use Autoflower Concentrate for autos
Use Original Concentrate for photoperiods
Organic Potting Soil (like Fox Farm, Coco Loco, or Happy Frog)
Containers: Minimum 5-gallon pots for autos, 7–15 gallons for photoperiods
Clean water (dechlorinated)
Optional but helpful: Soil Revival, pH/moisture meter, mulch
🪴 Setting Up Your Outdoor Grow
This is great for beginners and autos.
Mix 3.2 oz of NLS concentrate per gallon of base soil (that’s ~1 lb for a 5-gallon pot).
Thoroughly blend it and fill the whole container.
In the center, make a small buffer zone (~solo cup size) of plain soil to start seeds or transplants.
Water thoroughly and let sit for 24 hours before planting.
OPTION 2: Layered Super Soil Method
Ideal for photoperiods with longer veg periods.
Mix 3.2 oz per gallon of soil for your concentrate blend.
Fill bottom ⅓ of the container with the super soil mix.
Top off with plain organic potting soil (top ⅔).
Plant your seedling in the topsoil. Roots will grow down into the nutrient-rich bottom zone later.
👉 This layered method helps prevent nutrient burn for young plants.
🌿 Strategies for Growing Autoflowers
Pot Size: 5–7 gallons is plenty — autos like consistency.
Light: Put them where they’ll get full sun (8+ hrs/day).
Transplanting: Avoid it if possible — start directly in final pot.
Feeding: Just water! Use Soil Revival every 2 weeks as a boost. Add Girl Flower Power as a top dressing or compost tea for rapidly growing plants.
Training: Go easy — low-stress training (LST) only if necessary.
🕒 Lifecycle: 10–12 weeks from seed to harvest. They don’t wait!
🌞 Strategies for Growing Photoperiods
Pot Size: Go big — 7 to 15 gallons outdoors.
Veg Phase: Let them grow through spring and early summer with long daylight.
Flower Trigger: Flowering will naturally begin as days shorten in late summer.
Training: Topping, LST, or SCROG will all help maximize yield.
Boosting Buds: Top-dress with Girl Flower Power once flowers begin to form.
🧪 Try a compost tea with NLS during flower for extra flavor and potency.
💧 Watering Schedule (Rule of Thumb)
Container Size Seedling Stage Veg Stage Flower Stage
5 Gallon ½ cup/day 2–3 cups every 2–3 days ½ gal every 2–3 days
7–15 Gallon 1–2 cups/day ½ gal every 3–4 days 1 gal every 2–3 days
💡 Use a moisture meter or stick your finger in the soil — water when the top inch is dry.
🌡️ Outdoor Environment Tips
Ideal Temps: 70–85°F (day), 55–70°F (night)
Humidity:
Veg: 50–70%
Flower: 40–50%
Mulch: Use straw or leaf mulch to retain moisture and protect microbial life
Pests: Neem oil spray or companion plants (like basil or marigolds) can help deter insects organically.
💪 Bonus Tips for Outdoor Success
Start Early: Germinate indoors and transplant after the last frost.
Full Sun = Bigger Buds: South-facing garden spots are gold.
Wind Protection: Stake tall plants and use tomato cages or netting.
Top Dress Mid-Grow: If you’re vegging photoperiods for longer than 8 weeks, add a little more NLS or compost on top.
🌻 Summary
With Nature’s Living Soil, you can create a thriving, budget-friendly organic garden. Autoflowers love the simplicity of the all-in-one mix, while photoperiod plants benefit from the nutrient-layered super soil. Add a little Soil Revival to the mix and you’ll be growing plants that are flavorful, resilient, and all-natural.
— Nature’s Living Soil