Comments on: Can you reuse potting soil? Yes, and here’s how

By: Theresa S

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:45:03 +0000

I use Bumper Crop and composted Manure called Black Kow and add them to my old potting soil. I dump the pots in a wheel barrow and add these ingredients 50/50. Also Worm Castings by the hand full to each pot. What a difference that makes. Great full flowers in pots and vegetables in my garden.

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By: Elaine D Rhodes

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:34:30 +0000

Thanks for the good advice about re-using old potting soil. I re-use the soil for annuals, but I refresh the soil with compost and peat. I enjoyed the article about tomatoes. Some of which I knew. I do refresh my potting soil in the big pots where I grow tomatoes.

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By: Jessica Walliser

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 22:13:17 +0000

In reply to Liz.

Hi Liz – Thanks for your great question. In theory, that’s a great practice and you can certainly give it a go, however it’s less ideal because you won’t be able to monitor the temperature in different parts of the pile or the length of time the soil is at a specific temperature. Some pathogens are killed at a higher temperature than others so the tarp method just doesn’t have the same level of control as the oven or microwave method does.

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By: Linda A Palmer

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 21:55:21 +0000

Very informative

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By: Joseph A Gregory M.A.

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 16:15:08 +0000

I have mixed my old potting soil with new growing soil for my garden especially when growing tomatoes and growing squash in hills. The past 2 years my squash has been ravaged by Squash bugs and the heritage tomatoes ruined by blight. I grew the tomatoes from seeds just to see if I could. The old soil is in black bags baking. I have mixed the old and new for my Loved ones flower pots and the pots have always done well. I want to keep the Squash bugs away. Do you have any suggestions for preparing my garden soil.

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By: June Ross

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 15:31:04 +0000

As a late gardener years after retirement I have found this Article most helpful

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By: Liz

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 14:31:17 +0000

Why sterilize in a microwave oven when the soil can be spread out on a tarp, covered with clear plastic and left in the sun to be sterilized?

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By: Rod

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 16:43:43 +0000