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Can you reuse potting soil? That is a great question, especially as commercial potting soils can be so expensive. And even in the most widely available organic potting soils, there are some ingredients that are not considered sustainable.
Can you reuse potting soil ? It seems like a unproblematic interrogative , but the solvent is not so straightforward . We involve to take a closer look at what is typically in commercial-grade potting grease and what it does .
Today , we will discuss whether or not you’re able to reuse pot soil in your containers and what you should consider before doing so .
What does potting soil consist of?
When it amount to potting land , the three basic components are peat moss , pine barque , and perlite or vermiculite ( to give air quad ) .
Some will include other additive like feather meal , bat guano , basswood , grit , etc .
Others will also let in chemical fertilizers . Reading the ingredient list on the promotional material is helpful for finding out what is in the potting soil you are choose .
What does peat moss do for potting soil?
Peat moss has many benefits for potting soil , but it also comes with some downsides . The notable downside is that over time the textile will pack together and twist into a brick - like consistency .
In addition to this drawback , there are those who sense peat moss should not be used because harvest from wetlands harm plant and animal life only chance within these area – a argument that still continues today among scientist around the reality .
I hone in on peat moss here as I also sense we should eliminate the use of it as much as possible .
specially as there are so many feasible alternatives . That is why I like making my own DIY pot land .
Can you reuse potting soil?
The canonic response is yes but there are some thing you will require to determine and do .
First of all , know that just buying and using new organic potting territory for your container each twelvemonth is commonly the most convenient and widely suggested advice for all gardeners .
But that being said if you want to reuse last year ’s potting mix then read on and require yourself : Was the plant in the potting soil previously diseased ? That is the one time you should cast aside the soil or solarize it well . Plant and soil disease is not something you want to mess up around with .
If you have a pest problem but no disease you could plow the pot soil efficaciously before reusing it .
How to Reuse Potting Soil by heat treating
Luckily , there are some natural ways to facilitate get rid of the hemipterous insect that may be bushwhack in your used potting soil . If you discover any pests on your plant , it ’s full of life to do by the assortment before using it for next class ’s works .
To begin , clear away any rootage , eats , folio , and other dust from the old potting soil .
How to pasteurize or sterilize used potting soil:
note : I in person think that baking and microwaving are more trouble and stinky than it is deserving . bonny word of advice . The simmering has been more than sufficient for me and can be done outside .
If you have large amounts you’re able to try this :
Compost used potting soil
Another way to reprocess potting soil is by adding it to your compost pile instead of immediately reusing it in your containers .
If you have n’t begin a compost heap because you call back it is too hard or withdraw too much way thenyou can show how I do it .
How to recharge Used Potting Soil
When reusing soil still in container there is no pauperism to move out it entirely . Take out about a third of the used potting mix . add up some fresh compost or fresh DIY potting ground to the container and agitate it in with the relief .
This will help to add back some of the nutrients that have been depleted and also increase microbial activity which is always a good matter for plants . It also avail to forbid the compaction that can happen over time .
If you would like to see an example of some container where I have recycle potting soil you could see that in the video .
Have you had any issues with reusing potting soil ? allow me know .
Hi, I’m Pamela
