What do you do with your potting soil when you re-pot a plant? Do you reuse it or discard it? It seems wasteful to throw it out, surely you can keep using it?
Laura from Gillespie, IL
Never discard potting soil, it can be reused year after year. (12/30/2008)
By Marjorie
As usual, I agree with MCW. You can reuse it. I find I need to use more plant food cause whatever it comes with has been used up, but the dirt is still good. (12/30/2008)
By Judi
I keep a large container near my potting bench with a bag or two of good potting soil. When I discard a plant I just put the soil from that pot into this container. I then add peat moss, vermiculite and compost and work it really well. I add some of the long lasting fertilizer like Osmocote when I re-pot anything. Been working for quite a while! (01/05/2009)
By Linda
Yes, you can reuse it. I always add new fertilizer when replanting a plant anyway. But, be sure to fluff--not sure how else to say it-- the dirt. Often it can get compacted and it sure helps the next plant to have the soil mixed up and fluffed ? Sounds funny- you get the picture.
By Lori Cobb
I always use the soil on my lawn to fill in holes that may have developed. Works great when added with some grass seed. (01/06/2009)
By Karyn
I usually mix it into the bag of new soil then just go from there. That way you have a fair mix of old and new soil. (01/06/2009)
By Sarah Leach
You need to be careful when "fluffing" the soil, make sure you are wearing a mask and gloves.
(01/06/2009)
By Sharyl
Empty last year's soil from the pots. Add compost or manure to the soil. One bag of compost or 1/2 bag of manure to a wheelbarrow full of soil. Reuse the soil with your new plants.
To reuse seed starting mix, heat up the soil in the microwave to kill any fungus, etc. Make sure your microwave is in the garage or outside when you do this because it sure does smell, but you won't have the seedlings die off. (01/06/2009)
By sms
Yes, you can, and I have re-used potting soil. If you have any doubts that the potting soil in question is past the expiration date, or was previously used you can re-use it. Take your potting soil and spread it on a cookie sheet and put it in a 275 degree oven for about 20 minutes. If you think that there may be any parasites that need to be killed, spray the soil with a light misting of water and proceed the same way for 20-30 minutes at the same temperature. I've had great results using both methods. (01/08/2009)
I generally put new soil in when I am re potting plants, but put the old soil out in the garden so it doesn't go to waste. (01/09/2009)
By Sherry
I either put it in my compost bin or put it in the bottom of pots and top up with new when transplanting plants to bigger pots. (01/09/2009)
It depends on how long your plants have been in the potting soil. Unless the plant has only been in the soil for a short period of time, it has probably used up the nutrients in the soil. You can provide nutrients via additives to the water (Liquid Miracle-Gro is what I use), but if that isn't enough to keep your plants thriving, then you need to at least add in some new potting soil. I NEVER throw out the used soil. I just mix it into one of my outdoor flower gardens. Good luck with your plants!
By JuliKay2u
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