What Tent Kits Don’t Include — But You’ll Need
Buying a grow tent kit feels like a huge step forward. Honestly, it is. Kits cover the big-ticket items like the tent, light, and fans. But what most new growers don’t realize is that tent kits rarely include the everyday tools and consumables you actually need to start growing.
This guide walks through the things that usually get forgotten until you’re halfway through setup. None of this is about buying the fanciest gear. It’s about having what you need so your first grow doesn’t stall out over something simple.
Soil & Growing Medium
One of the first decisions you’ll make is soil. It’s also one of the most intimidating decisions for new growers.
Beginner-Friendly Soil Options
I often recommend FoxFarm soils to beginners, not because they’re “easier,” but because they’re readily available. You can find them at garden centers, hardware stores, and online without having to navigate a specialty grow shop where you may not understand what you’re buying yet.
That accessibility alone makes FoxFarm a solid starting point for first-time growers
Premium Living Soils
If you’re looking to step up into higher-quality, biologically active soils, The Soil Makers and BuildASoil are both excellent options. These are soils designed to support microbial life and long-term plant health, and they’re especially popular with autoflower growers who want consistency without constant feeding.
Pots & Containers
Most growers start with fabric pots, and for good reason.
- Fabric pots allow air pruning, which helps roots branch instead of circling
- Plastic pots retain moisture longer, but don’t promote the same root structure
The Watering Reality Check
Here’s something most beginners don’t realize until late veg or early flower:
Hand watering gets old fast.
As plants get bigger, the amount of water they need increases dramatically. Many growers eventually upgrade to sub-irrigated planters like:
- City Pickers
- EarthBoxes
- AutoPots
These systems reduce daily watering and help keep moisture levels consistent — especially helpful for busy growers or anyone growing more than one plant.
Nutrients: Salt vs Organic
This is where growers tend to split into two camps.
Salt-Based Nutrients
Many growers start with FoxFarm Trio nutrients. They’re widely available, relatively affordable, and easy to follow — which makes them a common entry point.
They work, especially while you’re learning how plants respond to feeding schedules.
Organic & Living Soil Feeding
Organic feeding can feel intimidating at first, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
My baseline organic approach usually includes:
- Worm castings for microbial activity
- A veg-stage top dress
- A flower-stage top dress
For example:
- Veg stage: BuildASoil Craft Blend
- Flower stage: BuildASoil BuildAFlower
- Soil Makers Water-Soluble Nutrients for bloom support
- Fungal compost from Soil Makers to boost biological activity
These inputs work especially well in living soil setups, where soil health matters just as much as nutrients.
Seeds: Don’t Let SEO Choose Your Genetics
One of the biggest mistakes new growers make is buying seeds from the first site that pops up on Google. High search engine rankings don’t always mean high-quality genetics. It often just means strong SEO or marketing efforts.
Where to Start
If you’re brand new, it’s safer to start with well-known, reputable breeders like:
- Night Owl Genetics
- Mephisto Genetics
These companies have long track records and consistent results.
At Growing Autoflowers, we also enjoy:
Vetting Craft & Artisan Breeders
For smaller or newer breeders, your best tools are:
- Social media pages
- Discord servers
- Grow journals from testers
Look at what real people are growing, not just marketing photos. The overall vibe of a breeder’s community tells you a lot.
Watering & Mixing Tools
These are small purchases that make a big difference.
- Watering can (gentle flow matters)
- Spray bottle (a simple Windex-style sprayer works great)
- Buckets for mixing nutrients or soil
- Measuring syringes or cups
You don’t need fancy versions. Just make sure they are functional. You will most likely find better gear as your grow style develops.
Harvest, Drying & Storage
This is an area people completely forget about.
At minimum, you’ll want:
- Pruning shears
- Drying hangers or racks
- Mason jars or Grove Bags for curing
- Small hygrometers for monitoring humidity
Planning ahead here prevents rushed harvesting decisions later.
Miscellaneous Items You’ll Be Glad You Bought
These are the “oh yeah, I needed that” items:
- Gloves
- Garden ties or plant wire
- Labels or a label maker
- Mason jars (also useful for pH pen calibration liquids)
- Notebook or grow journal
- Headlamp or small work light for dark tents
None of these are exciting, but all of them make growing easier.
Buy What You Need, When You Need It
You don’t need everything on day one. Most of these items are:
- One-time purchases
- Reusable across multiple grows
- Useful no matter how your setup evolves
The goal here isn’t to overspend. It’s to avoid hitting unnecessary roadblocks.
If you already bought a tent kit, bookmark this page and come back to it as your grow progresses. Chances are, you’ll recognize a few of these items when the time comes.
