Should You Reuse Potting Soil from Last Year?

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Күн бұрын

If you've ever wondered if it's a good idea to reuse potting soil or container media, this video will answer your questions. Catherine explains how potting soil grows healthy plants and the downsides of reusing potting soil. She also covers two methods to stretch your potting soil further to reduce the cost of planting in pots.

Пікірлер: 17

@karenpoole8957 3 ай бұрын

This is great information! I’m getting ready to do some spring planting and have several pots and planters from last year and had just been wondering this exact thing!! My thought was that if the soil started with some type of nutrients they probably would be depleted by the second year, or if using for a different type of plant might have different nutrients

@lynnannemiller4824 3 жыл бұрын

I will always use new. Thank you.

@joang8010 3 жыл бұрын

Your video came just in time for me. Thank you. 👍 I'm excited to get some color throughout my yard. 🌸🌺🌻🌼

@catherinemoravec1648 3 жыл бұрын

Great to hear it was helpful. Hope your planting goes well!

@ToniasBusy 3 жыл бұрын

So what you’re saying is, it took me 38 years to learn this? 🤔😆 thank you!!!

@francesodle6069 3 жыл бұрын

I reuse mine. I re new my potting and I transplant flowers i make i use the soil from new plant. No wasting soil

@sensescaper 2 жыл бұрын

Great to finally see someone post on the topic of soil and substrates. After all my time gardening I'm becoming really super interested in soil. I think it's probably due more to seeing the decimation of topsoil agriculturally than anything in a garden. You are 100% right on the densities and water-retention aspects of potting composts - and many in the early days get mixed up between soil and media. I designed and built living walls for a few years - where soil mix is vitally important. I saw during that time a lot of bad substrate riddled with vine weevil (that looks to the untrained eye like slow release fertiliser granules..LOL). For this reason I am always a bit twitchy using spent compost - unless I know it's origin and I know it is ok. Sometimes - throwing away old potting soil into areas of the garden where the soil is hard and clay-like will help improve it's structure a bit - and you then know you are using fresh stuff for young seedlings or cuttings - which is (i.m.h.o) better. A lot depends on what you are growing on too, and what acidity levels they tolerate / like. It's experimental. I've transported some plants miles in really small amounts of heavy clay with a bit of moist spent compost around them - and it kept them fresh for weeks.

@joang8010 3 жыл бұрын

Good morning. What would I use to amend the soil when planting in the ground? Love your videos 👍

@catherinemoravec1648 3 жыл бұрын

I mostly use a good quality compost to amend soil for in-ground planting unless a soil test indicates there is a deficiency of some sort. But, it's very dependent upon the soil characteristics of the area you live in.

@susans1679 3 жыл бұрын

What about refurbishing the old potting soul by adding compost and a bit of slow release fertilizer?

@catherinemoravec1648 3 жыл бұрын

I think this approach can definitely extend its life. The particle size of the organic matter will still shrink over time as it decomposes, so eventually you'll need to replenish it. But I agree that your approach is a good one. :)

@segagenesis1989 3 жыл бұрын

@@catherinemoravec1648 It should be noted that adding compost would also make the potting soil much more denser/heavier.

@wrmaldonado Жыл бұрын

@@segagenesis1989 Add perlite to fluff it up.

@segagenesis1989 Жыл бұрын

@@wrmaldonado Yes adding perlite would definitely work!

@SM-sy5cd 3 жыл бұрын

I have a small kids pool to plant different lettuce that is out side on my back deck. I just use the soil, and top it with new. Lettuce islands too deep,and so far so good year three.

@catherinemoravec1648 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting approach. That’s good to hear it’s working well.

@joang8010 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Catherine. I have been having the worst luck growing flowers. I put only potting soil in my pots and amend my soil with garden soil for flowers in ground. Fertilize with bloom booster. Also something is eat my marigolds. Using Captain Jack Dead Bug. Doesn't seem to work. Wishing for beautiful flowers. 😟. Any suggestions? I live in Denver.