After pass month pot and growing herb , bloom , and plants , the last matter you want to do is think about what happens once your pots are empty . So what can you do withold soil ? Can you reuse it , or should you toss it out ?
jactitate out used pot soil every season can exercise a rich hole in your pocket ! If your pottingsoil is badormoldy , you canrefresh itto recycle it in many other ways . Although , do n’t apply moldy soil if you are seed start . have a careful program for the remnant potting soil is a satisfying way to finish the growing cycle per second and be more eco - well-disposed .
Here are seven thrifty room you’re able to reuse your potting dirt so you wo n’t put your unexampled plant life at endangerment .
7 Thrifty Ways To Reuse Potting Soil
1. Keep it Simple
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you may reuse the grease for other plants , provided the grime is sound ; reuse pathologic soil can harm your plant . If you suspect your potting soil is bad , it ’s a good idea to refresh orsterilize itbefore using it for other plants . There are several unlike ways to go about this including : using a microwave oven , baking in the over , or using stewing water supply . If you ’d rather do it outside , diffuse the old grunge on a large tarp , cover it with a lightweight tarpaulin , and let it bake under the sun . The cover tarp will trap heat inside that will serve bake the filth and vote down pathogens and weed seed .
you could evenuse a soil conditionerto replenish the soil ’s alimentary subject , but remember totest the soilfirst , so you do n’t overload it with nutrients . Too much of a ripe matter can be harmful .
hands holding compost above the composter with organic waste
If your soil has clumps of dead weeds , rocks , stone , or debris , you ’ll need to remove them before using the soil for fresh plants . Since handpicking them will take forever , you canmake your own soil sifter boxto save yourself the trouble !
2. Add Potting Soil to Your Compost
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Although soil is a blend of organic and inorganic matter , you canadd it to your compost bin . Your compost bin will be made up of stratum . The first layer of your compost bin is uncouth plant material like twigs and offset . The 2nd bed is between six and 10 inches , containing soft plant fabric like leaves , trim , and kitchen scraps . For the third level , add 1 inch of soil and 1 cup of nitrogen ( in the descriptor of ammonium nitrate , line of descent , or osseous tissue repast ) for every 25 straight fundament of the entire compost pile . Soil ’s micro-organism and atomic number 7 will discontinue down and decompose plant material and kitchen scraps so your soil retains all the nutrients need to assist your garden thrive .
3. Lasagna Gardening, Anyone?
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Lasagna horticulture — known as sheet composting — is a great way to apply your old potting territory to make new raised bottom . It is relatively easy and call for common household or gardening item , so it could be an option for most .
depart with layering old composition board and newspapers , then cover them with old potting soil . On top of the grime , sum up mulched leaves , grass clipping , kitchen combat , and other desirable organic issue . Unlike your typical compost that needs to be twist systematically , lasagna horticulture is a one and done task - just lay the topic on top of one another .
hands holding compost above the composter with organic waste
Since you do n’t take to dig or rake , lasagna gardening is idealistic for engaged gardeners who can not deal the operose task of digging and rake from year to class .
4. Dress Up Your Vegetables With Potting Soil
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Although your old potting soil lacks nutrients , it still contains pieces of perlite , traces of compost , beneficial humus , and has few weed ejaculate compare to garden soil . As a final result , sure-enough potting soil is ideal for covering freshly planted vegetables and seed that are tedious to germinate . This topdressing of honest-to-god potting dirt can avail retain moisture allowing your crops to flourish .
5. Potting Soil for Critters
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sure-enough potting soil can be helpful if your thou is the hunger games chopine for critters , moles , rats , and deer , who leave you with nothing but holes . Fill hole with old potting grunge and smoothen them out to delete destruction .
6. Use It In Other Parts Of Your Garden
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Ifpotatoes are some of your pet veggies , you may use old potting soil to grow potatoes in containers ! Potatoes do well in acidic soil with circle of organic matter - the best matter to use is a soilless mix . With that said you ’re probably thinking , " Where does my potting soil come in ? "
recycle potting soil is great for vegetable container horticulture . integrate small measure of sterilise potting soil , along with the right soil requirements for your select crop , you may quickly and easily recycle !
7. Sharing is Caring
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shoot from recurrent plants or offcuts from overgrown flowers are capital nowadays for family and booster . If you desire to gift them , you’re able to use old potting soil to fill the container or muckle in which you wish well to establish the shoot . Since gifted bush will most in all probability be repotted or transplanted in the garden , they wo n’t sit around in the old grime for too long . This style , it does n’t count that the soil they ’re in is n’t nutritious - dense anymore , as it is only a temporary family . Now , the soil ’s life is extended and someone gets a thoughtful gift - It ’s a profits , profits !
Happy Recycling!
While it ’s wonderful to try and recycle whatever you may in your garden , remember to put away old soil that contained a morbid plant . This is because your former potting soil could still be hold pathogens and bacteria that could infect your other plants . However , as a conscientious gardener , you shouldsterilize the soilbefore recycle it .
