Reusing Potting Soil

[larabelle]

I purchased potting soil from Walmart and I am using self watering planters to grow vegetables (tomatoes and okra) on my patio. At the end of the season can I pull out the tomatoes and okra and save and reuse my present potting soil for next summer? Or do I need to pitch it and purchase new potting soil for next year. If I can reuse it what do I need to do for it? I have googled this and found people mentioned sterilizing the soil by microwaving it and resuing it, as well as . Thanks in advance for your answers.

[larabelle]

I did not finish and it would not allow me to edit so here is the rest:

"I have googled this and found people mentioned sterilizing the soil by microwaving it, running hot water thru it and baking it in the oven and resuing it. I have also seen many recipes related to what additives for the reused potting soil such as peat moss, perlite, compost, lime, bonemeal etc. Please share your wisdom"
Thanks

[Starlight9803]

Well, I can't comment on what would be the "proper" way, but I just reuse mine, adding additional potting soil as necessary. The only time I have ever thrown any out is when the occassional pot gets infested with ants. HTH

[Buc-O-Mama]

I plan on rotating my soil to use for different veggies each season. After having a touch of blight on my tomatoes, it was recommended to me to do so in the future. I'll have to check into sterilizing, that's a good idea.

Being in FL, we can pretty much grow something year round so I'm hoping that if I enrich with compost that my soil will be in good condition to reuse.

[Frugal Nurse]

You can reuse.
The sterilization is if you've gotten infested with something.

One of the reasons new potting soil is suggested is because it is free of pests and it is full of nutrients put in there by the manufacturer. Miracle grow. who wants you to have LUSH FULL BLOOMS- the initial soil will guarantee that.

But that doesn't mean you can't use it a few more years. However, expect that is is depleted of nutrients each season. Watering it all season washes the nutrients out.

You will need to add amendments.
A compost and perlite.

Compost is heavy and solid, so the perlite lightens it up and aerates the soil so it's workable and holds water better.

Another lightener... peat.

If you do run into a problem, like bugs, it's the soil (but I don't anticipate that happening for a few years anyway) just toss it - I spread it out on our bald spots of the lawn.. much the DH's chagrin.

And have fun!

[ShawnaRae]

I agree with all of the above. I usually reuse it, but add some 'home' compost and a bit of fertilizer, (I use Alaska Fish Fertilizer), with each reuse. No problems. If it's not for starting plants, but for mature potted vegetable plants, I mix it with regular outdoor garden soil, that I have sterilized in the oven. In fact, I don't usually buy potting soil, I usually buy peat moss and pearlite to mix in with my sterilized garden soil. But that's only because I have a lot of dirt 'round here! It all just depends, though. I just emptied out some pots and didn't feel like saving it, so I threw it in the compost pile. I've also thrown it right into the garden. But definately, if there's any plant disease, sterilize it. It's no fun to spread that around! In fact, great tip Buc-o-mama, rotating your potting soil to different plants.

[zakity]

I have thrown used potting soil on my compost pile.

[larabelle]

Thanks everybody for your responses. It is wonderful to know that I do not have to go thru the whole sterilization stuff. Now I just hope my okra and tomatoes grow. I am also thinking about planting some swiss chard so I will have lots more questions.