Container Garden Soil?
Question:Last Summer, I used a prepared container soil mix for my terrace container garden (Magic Soil). I pulled out the plants in the fall and stored the containers and the soil in the garage.
Would it be advisable to re-use the same soil this year or should I pitch it out and start with a new batch?
Answers:
There are different schools of thought on this subject.
Some folks like to start fresh each year and there's certainly nothing wrong with this. If you are using a quality packaged product, you will (hopefully) get consistent quality and results. The downside is the cost.
Others re-use the soil year after year and there are various methods for doing this. Some will remove the top 3-4 inches of soil and replace it when re-planting. I usually take the pots and dump them into the wheelbarrow and remove any large roots or insect larvae that I find. I mix in some new potting soil and some bone meal or compost. After sifting the mix, I'll toss whats left over into the compost pile.
The notion that the soil needs to be sterile and that all of the nutrients are "used up" imply that potting soil is somehow different than garden soil. It's really not, other than it's generally a lighter mix that has a higher organic content to aid in holding water. Garden soil needs to have fertilizer added and soil diseases can build up in garden soil as well, especially if you plant the same plants in the same place every year.
The bottom line? Do what you are most comfortable with.
Check out our website for more container gardening ideas at-
http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.c...
Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!
All the nutrients have been used up. Plus there is a chance of bacteria growing in the old soil.each season you should always use new soil.
I would use new soil the soil you have in the containers is probably full of roots from last years plants. Try using Miracle soil it's the greatest stuff. Good luck and have fun planting.
The whole idea is to have a fresh and nutrient where plants can grow healthily in the new soil. You can remove clumpy soil, dead roots found and mix with fertilizer.
Have a good read, http://mytropic-garden.blogspot.com...
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