Need some advice from the pros...would you reuse the soil that was in

[Zoigal]

last season's tomato pots for this year's tomato plants assuming there was no problem with
diseases, etc? If you would, what type of amendments would you add? The medium that i used
was composed of commercial potting soils, perlite, bone meal, blood meal, and a slow release
fertilizer. Thanks for your suggestions.....z

[asdjrocky]

1. Well I'm no pro,

but I have raised boxes, so my soil is always reused. I compost and put the compost in the boxes as well. As for reusing soil, I always throw the soil from my pots into my boxes.

I do try to cover my boxes with a clear plastic tarp for a few weeks before planting and the sun helps to kill weeds and bugs in the soil.

But yeah, nothing with me goes to waste.

[Zoigal]

2. Thanks for replying, asdjrocky

You may not consider yourself a pro but you certainly gave me an idea for reusing last year's
potting soil. Am going to mix it all together, add some new soils and amendments and give it a try.
You must be a good gardner to weather the Stockton hot summers. (Lived in Modesto a long while.)
Good luck this season.....z

[Blue Gardener]

3. I re-use mine

I just add fertilizer. I started using worm poop fertilizer last year and am very impressed.
Gardener's Supply has a special mix you can buy to revive potting soil. I haven't tried it, but I always have good luck with their products.

[Zoigal]

5. Thank you, Blue Gardener

Am going to get some worm poop fertilizer. That, plus some new soils plus a few other things
should do the trick...z

[beac]

4. I was Googling around about this very question in the fall when I was trying to decide what to

do with all my potting soil (my garden is 80% container). Found some helpful links:

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/frugal/msg051914434495.html

http://www.helium.com/debates/172726-is-reusing-potting-soil-from-last-year-a-good-idea


I "sterilized" mine in the Fall w/ the hot water trick (mostly to kill off any buggy eggs lurking) before saving it in food-grade 55 gal drums.

I'm planning on mixing it with worm poop and compost to re-energize it. *fingers crossed*

[Zoigal]

6. Checked out both site that you recommended, beac.

They both gave me some excellent information. Hadn't heard of the "hot water" trick but it might
be worth a try. Am definitely going to add worm poop. Thanks and good luck this coming season...z

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. I don't reuse mine due to so many issues with disease in hot humid Raleigh.

I dump all of my pots (hundreds!) into a big pile and we use it as mulch and growing medium for flowers and herbs. It makes for an expensive garden, but it is my main hobby...and I do significant seed saving and research on different varieties.