Use Your Microwave to Sterilize Your Garden Pots and Soil

I am repotting a few plants and starting some new cuttings to give as holiday gifts. To make sure I am not bringing any insects or fungus into the new soil (new but stored in the garage), I fill the pots and microwave them for a few minutes until very hot, killing off any bad hitchhikers. I usually do this in the eve and then in the AM the soil is cool enough to plant in.