What to do with old soil??
I'm trying to get organized to plant some stuff soon. I am confused though as to what to do with the old soil from last year. Can I use it again and just add some more good stuff, or should I toss it and start over. If I should get rid of it, what do I do with it???
These days, I just compost it, although sometimes, I use it to fill in the doggie-created craters in my yard.
In the old days, I just did cold composting, so I had to be careful about tossing in weeds, or anything diseased. If the used potting soil was from a plant that had died of a disease, or if the soil was infested with vermin such as fungus gnats, I would first sterilize the soil in my kitchen oven. Then I would toss it on the compost pile to be renewed with good soil denizens.
In the old days, I just did cold composting, so I had to be careful about tossing in weeds, or anything diseased. If the used potting soil was from a plant that had died of a disease, or if the soil was infested with vermin such as fungus gnats, I would first sterilize the soil in my kitchen oven. Then I would toss it on the compost pile to be renewed with good soil denizens.
- rainbowgardener
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It depends what happened to the plant that was growing in the soil. If it was healthy and you just repotted then you can reuse the soil another time, but not more than once. After that you should compost it.
If the plant died you should be a bit more cautious as you don't want to pass on anything nasty.
If the plant died you should be a bit more cautious as you don't want to pass on anything nasty.
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