Can you reuse potting soil?

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Elijablue Wheaton, IL(Zone 5b) Apr 26, 2010

I started lots of seed indoors this year. Being optimistic (read as inexperienced!), I only put one seed in each cell. Obviously I did not get 100% germination. I'm wondering if I can dump all the extra soil from the empty cells and re-use. Would I have to sterilize it? I recall something about heating the soil in the oven. BTW - this is potting soil, not soil from the garden. If I cannot re-use it for starting seeds, I guess I can use it in pots and hanging baskets outside.

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Apr 26, 2010

If you do decide to reuse it for starting seeds, then I would definitely sterilize it. If you use it for potted plants then that's probably a little less critical although it certainly never hurts to sterilize it.

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xiaoren Fairbanks, AK Apr 26, 2010

don't worry! If this started out as sterile soil used for this seasons seeds, it is still ok to use. You might have some of the original "unsprouted" seeds make an appearance, but you can pluck them out. If this is old dirt, you can use it in pots later.

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Apr 27, 2010

I'd definitely sterilize if it's going to be used again for seed starting. It's not that hard for a bit of fungus to start growing in seed starting mix since it's kept moist, so if you have that going on and start a new batch of seeds you could wind up with them being more likely to die from damping off, etc. It doesn't take that much effort to sterilize and it can save you from potential trouble down the road.

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jennyhsubear Fremont, CA Apr 27, 2010

what an interesting topic. i wonder the same myself. how exactly do you sterilize soil?

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Elijablue Wheaton, IL(Zone 5b) Apr 27, 2010

I used fresh potting soil, but did have some "greening" on the surface from watering. I think it best if I sterilize - but I need a refresher course on how to do that please.
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