What Can I Mix With Old Soil to Make It Good Again

Jill enjoys cooking, abstruse painting, stewardship, & learning almost gardening through the MD Native Plant Society.

Fertilizer will keep plants looking expert throughout the growing flavour, fifty-fifty if they're planted in former potting mix.

Jill Spencer

How to Recycle Potting Soil

That unwieldy cart of potting soil seems like enough when you're at the garden center. (In fact, information technology often seems like more than enough when yous're at the register.) But once you lot start filling pots, it's often frustratingly inadequate. "Did I really use an entire purse for one container?" you think. Then it's back to the store and the checkout line—and back to shelling out more money on gardening supplies.

This yr, it doesn't have to exist that way. You lot tin lower the cost of filling seasonal containers by reusing last year's potting soil. Only you need to be sure to exercise it right, or you may put your plants at risk. In this article, you volition learn how to safely recycle terminal year's potting soil.

Ways to Reuse Potting Soil

The easiest mode to reuse old potting mix? Just remove former plants from their containers, fluff upwardly the soil and replant. If you've reused the same soil for several years or it's developed a white surface crust, you may take to cut it with 50 per centum new potting soil and/or employ fertilizer. (Meet "How to Reduce Risks" below.)

Of course, you don't have to reuse potting soil solely in your flowerpots. You can also benefit from using them in the post-obit spots.

Where to Reuse Potting Soil

• Flowerpots
• Blossom beds
• Vegetable gardens
• Holes in your yard
• Compost piles
• Compost holes

Adding old potting soil to your vegetable garden is i style to reuse it.

Jill Spencer

The Risks of Soil Recycling

At that place are two main reasons reusing potting soil can put plants at chance.

1. Used soil sometimes contains pathogens—viruses, fungi, bacteria, nematodes and other organisms that carry disease. These pathogens tin cause container plants to sicken and die.
2. Used soil may also be deficient in the minerals that plants require. This, as well, can cause plants to get diseased and dice.

The Clay Farmer

Reducing the Risks

How tin you reuse potting soil without killing your plants? Try these simple strategies.

1. Never reuse soil from a pot in which a diseased found has grown.

The plant may be dead and gone, but the pathogens and other bug in the soil remain, making it likely that the side by side occupant will also sicken and dice.

ii. Pasteurize sometime potting soil earlier using it.

Soil that remains in pots exposed to the elements oft harbors weed seeds, pathogens and/or insects, none of which are desirable in a growing medium. To kill off these harmful elements, bake the soil in the sun. First, empty the used soil into black plastic bags. And then identify the bags in a sunny location.

The same pasteurization process that occurs during regular composting will occur within the bags every bit temperatures within the mix rise, rendering the pathogens, weed seeds and other unwelcome elements in the soil harmless.

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Although you can as well put quondam soil in garbage cans or sealable five-gallon buckets, garbage bags are particularly easy to drag around, and the black plastic ones hold heat well.

3. Fertilize your containers after planting.

Exposure to the elements weathers the soil, leaching out nutrients. To counter this, apply fertilizer to assure that your container plants become the nutrients they need. This is particularly of import if yous're using recycled potting soil, as many of its essential minerals may have been taken upward by plants the previous year or leached out.

Utilize a dull-release fertilizer that lasts all growing season. Or, apply a liquid fertilizer (such every bit pee tea) every two weeks.

Reusing old soil has risks, but you can limit them by following a few basic guidelines.

Jill Spencer

4. Mix some compost and/or new potting mix into the old, particularly if you've used the same soil for several years.

Exposure to the elements also makes soil more compact. Calculation new potting mix to the old will not just increase its fertility, just it volition likewise make it more friable and amend its ability to retain wet.

If you lot've used the same soil for several years, it'southward probably wise to create a 50-50 mix of half sometime and half new potting soil.

five. Water with rainwater to reduce table salt buildup.

Does the soil in your planters take white crusting on the surface? Then it may be suffering from common salt buildup, which can slow establish development.

To prevent this trouble in the future, h2o your container plants with rainwater. Rainwater usually has a lower salt content than tap or well water. Every bit for reusing salty soil in containers every bit is? Don't. Add information technology to your compost pile. Or, if you lot really want to employ information technology in containers, cut it with l percentage new potting mix.

6. Apply less soil by calculation one-time plant nursery pots into the mix.

Run into the photograph below for an analogy of this strategy. The quondam nursery pot takes up some space, meaning less soil is needed to fill up the larger pot.

Another mode to go along costs downwards? Use less potting mix by adding an overturned plastic nursery pot to your container.

The Dirt Farmer

This article is accurate and true to the all-time of the writer's noesis. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Question: What exactly is pee tea?

Answer: Pee tea is diluted homo urine that is used every bit fertilizer.

Question: Are coffee grounds skilful for plants?

Answer: Coffee grounds can exist used every bit a fertilizer for acid-loving plants like azaleas. They are also a good addition to your compost pile. I would not, however, pile up lots of java grounds on height of the soil unless yous want maggots, which you lot might if yous have chickens.

Question: How long exercise I need to bake onetime soil in plastic bags in the dominicus for?

Answer: Solarize the soil during the hottest time of year for four to six weeks.

Question: How long does it accept to kill harmful elements when baking soil outside in the sun?

Reply: Bake the soil in plastic bags four to 6 weeks outside during the hottest time of your year.

Question: Before I read this article, I broiled used potting soil at 425 degrees F. Tin I still utilise it?

Respond: Aye, yous can. (Wow, at that temp, I bet the procedure really stunk! lol)

Question: What if my basil died, got gray fuzz, and wilted, but my parsley in the same pot is fine and survived the winter in zone 5? Is it okay to reuse the soil?

Answer: Basil is susceptible to downy mildew when the weather condition is hot and humid, and information technology sounds like your basil was infected with it. If yous removed the infected basil and scraped up the top soil where it grew, you may take also removed the spores that crusade downy mildew. If you didn't become all of information technology, the mildew volition reappear when the weather turns. I would bake the soil before reusing information technology.

Question: I'k using Foxfarm Happy Frog, can I add super soil amendments to the soil and use it once again?

Answer: So long as the soil hasn't been contaminated by a diseased constitute, yous tin can add together amendments or cut the erstwhile soil with new soil and reuse.

Question: Is it okay to utilize soil from a petunia plant to institute herbs?

Answer: The soil should be fine from an edible aspect; however, information technology may not be the best for your purposes every bit petunias and some herbs, such equally tarragon, rosemary, and lavender, have unlike soil and drainage requirements than petunias practise.

Question: Can I put used potting soil around mature trees?

Answer: Yes, y'all can. You lot could spread composted matter, too.

Question: Exercise you fix the used potting garden soil by Schultz in the fall or early spring?

Answer: I am not familiar with used potting soil by Schultz. Perchance the company could answer your question.

Question: Can y'all reuse soil to establish vegetables in a container?

Answer: Yes, you tin reuse soil for a container vegetable garden. Every bit with reusing soil for any plant, amend the soil equally needed (run across article) and don't use soil that has been home to a diseased constitute. Also, select vegetables that grow well in pots, like lettuce and Swiss chard, and by and large avoid vegetables that have long taproots.

© 2012 Jill Spencer

Jill Spencer (author) from Usa on August 31, 2020:

Hi, Terri. Presently I'm going to be faced with that same issue. Yes, you can movement and reuse your soil so long as information technology was non home to diseased plants. As well, you may want to skim off and discard or compost the outset inch or two of soil in the bed as they probably contain weed seeds, spores, and other things y'all might not want to take with you. Proficient luck to y'all! Jill

Terri on August 30, 2020:

Can I bag my raised bed soil and behave it with me when I motion? I used Black Kow....hate to lose all of it.

Jill Spencer (author) from Usa on March 15, 2020:

Hi, Lucas. The bloom is a chrysanthemum. All-time, Jill

Lucas on March 15, 2020:

Hi Jill, merely wondering what the xanthous white flower in the pot with the gnome is called?

Jill Spencer (author) from United States on March 06, 2020:

Hullo, Lamar. Thanks for commenting. You can shop sterilized soil for later employ rather than put it to immediate employ. We put ours in cans in our shed. Also, some people amend their soil by adding compost and potting soil in the fall. (That's when I do new flowerbeds and direct sow.) Likewise some people sow fall crops, create autumn planters, and use old soil to fill in low spots or holes in their yards. The latter, of form, can be done someday. All-time, Jill

Lamar on March 06, 2020:

How can you place your potting soil in plastic numberless in the sunday to kill pathogens as the hottest time of year is June, July, Aug,. Too late so to plant as planting is Apr (zone 7)

Jill Spencer (author) from Us on Jan 17, 2020:

Hi, Marking. Mayhap you should write a hub about that.

Mark Brauer on Jan 17, 2020:

Please don't advise people to apply Plastic Bags for Solarization! Instead a Hot Firm would be a much better choice!

Jill Spencer (author) from Usa on November 01, 2019:

Thanks for posting comments, Mary and April!

April on November 01, 2019:

Awesome! Thank Y'all!

Mary Noriega on October 05, 2019:

I have used left over potting soil for years. My plants are salubrious and growing.

Jill Spencer (author) from U.s.a. on July 20, 2019:

Cheers for the information, Karl. Appreciate information technology. Unfortunately, your link is non working for me, merely I tin can probably find the article by shortening it. Thanks again. Jill

Rocklyn on June 03, 2019:

I have a resin whiskey barrel that had h2o sitting in information technology. I drilled holes, the dirt no longer stinks. Can it be re-used to abound vegies or flowers?

Jill Spencer (author) from United States on May 21, 2019:

Hi Vivian! If yous live in a warm climate and the soil in your plastic bag has been in the sun and gotten hot over the winter, the soil should exist pasteurized and set up to employ. If not, place the purse in the sun now and leave it for a calendar week or 2. The bespeak of the black bag is to go the temperature inside the pocketbook up in order to kill harmful pathogens in the soil.

Vivian on May 21, 2019:

I have pots of soil in a blackness plastic handbag all winter. can I apply it.

Jill Spencer (author) from United states on April 29, 2019:

Hi Mary Ann, I have used ladybugs to control aphids but never white fly. Thank you for sharing your expertise. All-time, Jill

Mary Ann Garcia on April 28, 2019:

Ladybugs Beloved Whitefly. I bought a container of ladybugs and released 1/3 of them every week, keeping them in the refrigerator. I have had no trouble with Whitefly since.

Jill Spencer (author) from United States on April 23, 2019:

To each her own, Ann! Best to you. J

M Sharp, one manner to command whiteflies is to rake up fallen leaves and destroy them then spray the underside of the leaves with insecticidal lather or oil. That may become them down to a level where natural predators will continue them at a low level. Adept luck to yous! Jill

Ann Favell on April 06, 2019:

No pee tea thank yous. Disgusting!! With and then many alternatives, absolutely non. Hope no one gives me anything edible that they have used that on. Animal manure is nasty enough. Man's is worse.

M sharp on April 05, 2019:

How tin I eliminate white wing, this is my third yr fighting

Jill Spencer (writer) from United States on February 24, 2019:

I've prepped several new flower beds since summer, adding compost as I dug the trenches. It'southward rained here a lot likewise, and the temperature has gone up and down; nonetheless, I've gotten but two modest weeds. In other words, just considering nothing's sprouting however doesn't mean the soil is bad. When your area has had plenty degree days to trigger seeds to germinate, you should meet growth.

Dee Espo on Feb 24, 2019:

I bought 4 cubic yards of used cannabis bagged soil. I rototilled this into my front yard soil. It has rained like crazy. I deliberately have planted zilch and zilch has sprouted. Nix is going in merely yard plants. Did I kill my futurity plants with tainted soil before they even got planted?

Jill Spencer (writer) from Usa on March 30, 2018:

That shouldn't be a trouble, Steven, if the love apple merely died from exposure to the common cold. However, if information technology fleck the dust due to a virus or some sort of infestation, y'all should not use the soil. Best to you! Jill

steven hayes on March 29, 2018:

Thank you for the helpful article! I hope to recycle my soil from last year. I accept only one question, I left a tomato plant plant in a 5 gallon pot all winter. Is that soil yet healthy to use? Thank you!

Audrey Hunt from Pahrump NV on March 16, 2018:

Cheers, Jill, for this very helpful article on reusing potting soil. So glad to learn about pasteurizing old potting soil. Baking the soil in the sun couldn't exist easier. I practice a lot of gardening, and so these handy hints volition sure help me.

Jill Spencer (author) from United States on March 16, 2018:

Hi Jim. Washing with warm sudsy water should do the play tricks unless plants died in the containers from diseases, then . . . I don't know. My impulse would be to recycle them rather than reuse them, just your extension agent could give you lot ameliorate advice. Endeavour Inquire an Skillful online at https://ask.extension.org/ask. The advice is free. Best, Jill

Jim on March xv, 2018:

What about reusing the 5 gallon buckets I planted in last year - should I sterilize them some how?

Jill Spencer (author) from United states of america on March 12, 2018:

Yes! See the gray box mid-commodity. It contains directions. Best, Jill

five on March 12, 2018:

can i bake soil in the oven?

Audrey Hunt from Pahrump NV on Feb 26, 2018:

I love gardening and I beloved this helpful mail service. I'll be using your tips this spring. Thank you.

Jill Spencer (writer) from United States on December 02, 2017:

No, Dolores, you can pasteurize the soil in the oven at 200 degrees for half an hour to kill harmful pathogens and insect eggs without losing the richness of the soil.

Dolores Monet from Eastward Declension, United States on December 02, 2017:

I need to replant some of my container plants this Spring and was wondering most only this topic. I detest the idea of buying clay, it just seems dizzy. When I was younger I used to brand a mix that included outside clay that I'd put in the oven on a depression temperature for twenty minutes or so. And then I wondered if I'd melt out nutrients. Would it?

Jill Spencer (writer) from United States on November 25, 2017:

Hi Rose. The compostable material needs air in order to decompose, and then . . . no, I don't think so.

Taj, Thanks so much for stopping by!

Taj Raza on Nov 22, 2017:

Thank y'all so much for providing such a useful data nigh Used Soil.

Rose on September 22, 2017:

Can i make a compost bin out of a 5gal saucepan with out putting holes in it i have no way of putting holes in the bucket

?

Peggy Wood from Houston, Texas on June 26, 2017:

That must exist one huge moth! They can go large.

Jill Spencer (writer) from United States on June 26, 2017:

Cheers, Peg. I similar to pass on whatever I learn, and about of it is for newbies. In that location's so much to know! Every time I expect into whatever subject, it quickly becomes complicated, and gardening is no exception. I just discovered, for instance, that the ugly hummingbird I've been seeing at our feeders is really a moth!

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on June 25, 2017:

This is an excellent article for people to read who are new to gardening. I never discard potting soil and always reuse it in manners you mentioned.

Virginia Allain from Primal Florida on June 04, 2017:

Very helpful info. I'm a thrifty gardener and reuse my container soil over and over. Now I'll practice some treatment of it in a black plastic handbag as yous advise. Practiced to know this technique.

rudyhiebert on Feb xix, 2017:

When Spring finally arrives, my soil enhancer preference volition exist the liquid organic concentrate that is fish extract and body of water kelp based instead of with chemicals.

Jill Spencer (writer) from United States on September xxx, 2015:

Thanks for stopping by, Kappygirl. I've been working on my photography and am glad you noticed. (:

Kappygirl on September 30, 2015:

This is a groovy hub with useful information. I often re-employ soil but didn't know nearly pasteurizing information technology. I'll definitely have to practise that in the future. By the mode, you lot've got really nice pictures too!

Jill Spencer (author) from U.s.a. on September thirty, 2015:

Thanks, Roberta. Appreciate information technology.

RTalloni on September 30, 2015:

Congrats on your Hub of the Day award for this very useful info. Getting the nearly out of potting soil is a good matter!

Jill Spencer (author) from Us on September 30, 2015:

Howdy, Kirsten. The weather shifting hither too, and my summer flowers are fading away. Thanks for stopping by!

MarleneB, baking soil in the oven is a little smelly, but well worth it! Glad yous commented. All the best, Jill

Marlene Bertrand from U.s.a. on September thirty, 2015:

Excellent tips! I absolutely dear the idea of placing the soil in the oven. That is truly a clever solution to killing off harmful stuff in the soil. By the way, congratulations on receiving the Hub of the Twenty-four hour period award.

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on September 30, 2015:

Jill, slap-up tips. I might have to do that next year for my summer plants---two of them have flake the dust, one'due south left for another week or so. Congrats on HOTD!

Jill Spencer (author) from United States on September xxx, 2015:

Hi Donna. Yep, you want to be condom when reusing soil. I'm nearly to replace our tired summer flowers in pots for autumn ones. Will take to check out some of your hubs for ideas for an autumn door ornament. Our door looks best with a swag. I put upwards Indian corn, but it looks a footling distressing all by itself there. (: Thanks for dropping past and commenting. --Jill

Donna Herron from USA on September 30, 2015:

Neat data, Jill! I never knew that I couldn't just reuse my potting soil so I'm grateful for your suggestions on how to safely recycle information technology. Pinning to my gardening board. Thank you and congratulations on your HOTD!

Jill Spencer (author) from United States on September 30, 2015:

Thanks, Patricia, for sharing the article, and for your kind comments. I'm delighted that the article brought upward practiced memories for you.

Thank y'all, also, Rebecca. I'yard surprised but happy this is a HOTD.

Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on September 30, 2015:

Beautiful hub, Jill. And very useful. Congratulations!

Patricia Scott from North Primal Florida on September 30, 2015:

Hullo Jill

this is so helpful...my Momma taught me so much about soil and plant care and much of what you say here she did.

This has been a bully refresher article for me to read because she has been gone from the planet for many years and I had forgotten some of what she said...so I am delighted to read this.

Congrats on HOTD

Angels are on the way to you this morning ps pinned shared G+ and tweeted

Jill Spencer (writer) from United States on May 20, 2014:

Hi sgbrown! Thanks for commenting. You sound like a existent soil recycler! I practise the same thing you do, plus throw one-time soil into the composter--and I bet yous practice that, besides. Not bad to hear from you! All the best, Jill.

Sheila Dark-brown from Southern Oklahoma on May 19, 2014:

Great information! I always reuse my sometime potting soil. I get a big bucket or pot and just start dumping the quondam soil inside as I clean out my pots for reuse. As I need mix for my new plants, I commonly use 50/l and add a little fertilizer. When I am planting in the basis, I will mix the old soil with the dirt I dig out and plant with that. Very good advice here, I've been doing the same matter for years and information technology works peachy! Upwards and useful!

Jill Spencer (author) from United States on February 27, 2013:

Hi Mike! Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate your comments & promise the ideas are useful to you this spring. Take care, Jill

Mike Robbers from London on February 26, 2013:

Squeamish hub! Some very useful tips! Thanks for sharing! Voted upwardly & useful!

Jill Spencer (author) from The states on November 20, 2012:

@ Letitialicious -- I'm non sure nearly the plant, but you could save the soil by baking information technology in the oven a pot-full at a time to kill the pathogens in information technology, including fungal spores. You could also dump it into black plastic garbage bags and let it heat up on your deck or patio over the wintertime. Take care, Jill

Letitialicious from Paris via San Diego on November 20, 2012:

I live in the city and recently inherited (literally) some pots with water logged soil, which I allowed to dry, simply I've planted one plant so far and it looks pretty droopy, several months downwardly the line. Remember at that place's whatsoever mode I can save information technology/and or the soil?

Jill Spencer (author) from United States on Nov 15, 2012:

@ aviannovice-- Hi Deb! Nice to hear from you. What a absurd, unique retentivity. A woodstove. (: I reuse soil all the time, besides, generally when I change container plants outside with the seasons. Take care, Jill

Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on Nov 15, 2012:

I reused last year'southward soil and plan to do it again this twelvemonth. My father used to bake soil in the over of the woodstove before he planted seedlings at a depression temperature. It works, all correct. An excellent piece, awesome and UP!

Jill Spencer (writer) from United States on October 12, 2012:

Buying clay--it actually does seem ridiculous, Mary--like driving to the track in order to walk, which I've as well washed. (: Thanks for commenting. Sounds like you're an onetime manus at reusing former potting soil! Accept care, Jill

Mary Hyatt from Florida on October 12, 2012:

My Mother would "turn over in her grave" if she knew I bought dirt! When I was growing up, we just went into the wood and got our potting soil. I live in S. Fl. where the soil is only sand, so I do a lot of container gardening. When a constitute dies, I pull it out, and reuse the aforementioned soil for cuttings or another plant. I would never throw out potting soil, it's besides expensive. Our Home Depot sells torn bags of soil inexpensive.

I voted this Hub UP, etc.

Jill Spencer (author) from United States on October 12, 2012:

Hi Suzie HQ! Enjoyed your hub on unusual containers for plants & intend to read the one well-nigh free containers. I'd dearest to have my hub linked to yours. Cheers for commenting! Appreciate it. --Jill

Suzanne Ridgeway from Dublin, Ireland on October 12, 2012:

Hi Jill,

What a swell article and ideas on recycling soil! Loved the info and would similar to link information technology in with i or two hubs of mine on recycled container gardening. Thank you for sharing and VU, Interesting, Useful and shared!!

Ben Zoltak from Lake Mills, Jefferson Canton, Wisconsin U.s. on Oct 01, 2012:

Great article, I think I'm getting the idea. It sounds like, no affair what soil and compost from outdoors need to exist processed or pasteurized as you say. I have 3 black walnut tress on my property too I was wondering if I should avoid composting their leaves?

thanks!!!!

Ben

Jill Spencer (author) from United States on May 01, 2012:

Thank you for reading and commenting, Don. It'southward nice to meet you!

DON BALDERAS on May 01, 2012:

This is enriching and Earth-friendly. Thanks for these ideas.

Jill Spencer (writer) from United States on March 22, 2012:

Hey Q--Practiced to hear from you! Thanks for commenting. J

quester.ltd on March 21, 2012:

As always, y'all are full of good information - look reading your Hubs and refreshing former ideas...:)

q

Jill Spencer (author) from United States on March 12, 2012:

Hey, Maren! Thanks. Information technology is much less messy & stinky! Thanks for stopping by! Jill

Maren Elizabeth Morgan from Pennsylvania on March 12, 2012:

I like your thought of baking in the dominicus rather thanmy cooking oven.

Jill Spencer (author) from U.s. on March 09, 2012:

Yep--sometimes you can't run across what'southward killing your plants and must look at the "signs" of the trouble, such every bit wilting, curled leaves, brown spots, etc. Glad you stopped past, Eileen! DF

Eileen Hughes from Northam Western Australia on March 08, 2012:

Very helpful article. I had not thought about the nasties in the soil

Jill Spencer (writer) from United States on March 05, 2012:

Awesome, chefsref! Promise the "black bag" handling works well for you. Accept intendance, DF

Lee Raynor from Citra Florida on March 05, 2012:

Hey Dirt Farmer

I learned a new play tricks here today. The black plastic bag play a trick on will come in handy. I have a lot of pots full of old soil that take been sitting for years

Jill Spencer (writer) from United states on March 05, 2012:

It's really cool how then many people are composting these days. Thanks for commenting, Shelly.

Shelly McRae from Phoenix, Arizona on March 05, 2012:

Good advice, Clay Farmer. I almost always put last twelvemonth'south container soil in the compost, though I've occasionally mixed it with new. Thanks for sharing.

Jill Spencer (writer) from Usa on March 04, 2012:

Thanks for commenting, Robie! If you lot're placing the soil in bags at the end of summertime, leave them at that place until spring. Have intendance, DF

Robie Benve from Ohio on March 04, 2012:

Excellent advice on reusing potting soil! I sure dislike (for the sake of a kind word) the price tag on those soil numberless. Cheers for sharing.

Q: I never tried "baking in the sun" in the black bag. How long should I live information technology at that place to get rid of the unwanted guests?

woodsous1999.blogspot.com

Source: https://dengarden.com/gardening/You-CAN-Recycle-Potting-Soil

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