Agree...reuse unless there is a problem !
Elliot,
I agree with Rockporter. I am not sure which containers you are using. I grow 90% in Earthboxes and am using mix that is now 8 years old. Each year I refresh the mix as Rockporter said and I replace the top few inches where the fertilizer strip was located and any areas with salt residue...I do this in all my self watering containers.
For regular planters I follow much the same process--discarding any fertilizer if I had a strip, dumping the mix into a wheelbarrow and adding perlite or more mix to lighten up the mix.
If I find boggy, wet conditions in the container I may replace 50-75% of the mix, but not all. This I have found only after many years in the same Earthbox and not in any other containers.
I did have a scare a few years ago and thought I had late Tomato blight so I discarded about 15 boxes of mix. In retrospect I do not think that was my problem but I was hesitant not to take action.
As long as the soil looks, smells and feels healthy I would reuse...after refreshing it !
Good luck !
Judi
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