reusing containers and soil

**sinopa27** · 08-30-2011, 05:23 AM

I have several containers that I grew potatoes in. I had a good harvest and all the potatoes have been eaten. I am not sure If I will be planting more potatoes this year or not. I have collards ready to transplant. I was wondering if I could use the same soil that is in the container to plant my collards. Do I need to add some compost to it?
What do you recommend? I usually plant in containers and soil bags.

**freebs** · 08-30-2011, 08:58 AM

I would reuse it. If you have some fresh i would mix it with it. I reuse mine, i plant a spring then fall in mine then i compost it and start fresh in the spring!

**dwnloom** · 08-30-2011, 10:02 AM

Can you tell me how you plant potatoes? I would like to try. Also, can you plant them in the late summer or fall?

**Contrary Housewife** · 08-30-2011, 10:24 AM

Yes, you can reuse it for greens. Over time though the plants will slowly use up all the nutrients in the soil so you should add compost or fertilizer every year. This is especially true of potatoes and tomatoes, which need the same nutrients, so you would definitely add compost or nitrogen if you planned to plant one of those after the other in the same soil.

Look up crop rotation for more information. Some crops will actually improve the soil if planted after other crops have been harvested.

**sinopa27** · 08-31-2011, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by dwnloom

Can you tell me how you plant potatoes? I would like to try. Also, can you plant them in the late summer or fall?

I just got the big containers, drilled holes in the bottom of them, filled a few inches with soil, planted the seed potato, covered with a little more soil. water... then as the plant grew, add more soil until i go to the top. It was very simple. I planted mine in march and harvested in july. I could have left some in ( i learned later). I also have learned I can plant now and harvest in December.