If you are a container gardener, chances are good that you have a lot of old, spent containers, full of old potting soil, that you are not really sure what to do with. Do you throw it out, or can you refresh it? I will show you two simple ways to do this, saving money in the process while still enjoying a bountiful harvest.
Method 1: Simple Refresh
The easiest way is to simply renew the old potting mix by adding more potting mix or compost. This is an easy, cheap, and minimal-effort way.
Steps:
- Empty the Old Dirt: The old dirt should be dumped in a bigger container.
- Large Clump Removal: Remove any large clumps of root matter or other debris.
- Add New Potting Mix: Add about one-third of new potting mix or compost to the old soil. For instance, if you have five gallons of old soil, add around 1.5 gallons of new mix.
- Mix and Moisten: Blend the new and old soil together and make it moist.
Benefits:
- Time Efficient: A fast and easy way to revitalize soil.
- Cost-effective: Requires minimal additional materials.
Method 2: Comprehensive Revival
For a more complete refresh, you can screen the soil, add organic fertilizers, and incorporate worm castings to form a nutrient-rich mix.
Steps:
- Clear Away Plant Material: Clear away all of the plant material and check for large roots.
- Screen the Soil: Any large particulate matter and overwintering pests are sieved out.
- Add Potting Mix and Compost: Refill with fresh potting mix and compost in the same quantity as for the simple refresh method.
- Incorporate Organic Fertilizers: Add slow-release organic fertilizers like blood meal, bone meal, and chicken manure; then blend well.
- Add Worm Castings: Harvest from a worm bin, or pick them up at a garden center and add them to the soil for added nutrition and microbial life.
- Mix and Moisten: Mix all ingredients very well and moisten the soil.
Benefits:
- Nutrient-rich: Replenishes the essential nutrients of the soil.
- Improved Soil Structure: Screening and application of compost are good practices in improving the texture as well as the drainage of soil.
- Microbial Life: Worm castings help add some beneficial microbes into your soil.
Tricks for Success:
- Adjust Amounts: Apply fertilizers just as per application instructions in order to avoid over-fertilization.
- Monitor Moisture: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to support the activities of the microbes.
- Cure the Soil: If possible let the revitalized soil sit for a week or two before planting to give the microbial populations a little time to recover.
Summary
It is so simple and effective to do, so adding your needed new potting mix, organic fertilizers, and worm casting will help in rejuvenating your soil to assure you have healthy, productive plants this next growing season.
