help with reusing old soil!

aimeruni · May 9, 2014

I have a ton of soil in containers leftover from last year. I plan to reuse it; I need help with how to go about how to 'revitalize' it (add nutrients and fertility back to it).

I make my soil in 30 gallon batches (one batch=30 gallons) and for each 30 gallon batch I add 2 cups of Osmocote (or other similar slow-release fertilizer).

The Osmocote was added last year at the beginning of the growing season (end of May); I made soil later in the season too (July thru August).

However the variety of Osmocote I have is about 3-4 months with how long it'll provide nutrients/fertilize the plants.

My question is this....

The fertilizer (osmocote) is still in the soil mix from last year; however even with the soil mix I made later in the previous year (July-August) is the Osmocote essentially spent/'dead' even though it's in the soil mix?

I know since it's old soil from last year, I'll have to amend it. The Osmocote in there is most likely spent; however will be fertilizing too much by adding new fertilizer since there is Osmocote already in there (even though it's 'dead')?

Ed of Somis · May 9, 2014

You are thinking the whole situation through correctly. It is a guessing game a bit. Do the compromise dance and add less nutrients for awhile...with the idea some may be left in there. I usually add new potting mix to old mix (only if no disease was present the prior year). You have not incorporated any ground "soil" in your containers have you?

Zana · May 9, 2014

I tend to add compost, some new soil mix and sometimes some organic fertiliser to the mix that I rework of previous year's container mix. I mix them in a large wheelbarrow (sorry can't tell you how big it is exactly. I have had as many as 160 pots/containers growing during the season when in full swing. I mark my containers with numbers 1 through 5. No. 5 gets all new container mix and compost that year and the old container mix is dumped in the flower garden beds or the compost . No. 1-4 get a remix of new and old. Basically the numbers correspond to the years. By the 5th year I dump it. Been doing this for about 14 years now.

Don't know if that helps.

May 9, 2014	#1
aimeruni Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Brooksville FL, zone 9a Posts: 67	help with reusing old soil! I have a ton of soil in containers leftover from last year. I plan to reuse it; I need help with how to go about how to 'revitalize' it (add nutrients and fertility back to it). I make my soil in 30 gallon batches (one batch=30 gallons) and for each 30 gallon batch I add 2 cups of Osmocote (or other similar slow-release fertilizer). The Osmocote was added last year at the beginning of the growing season (end of May); I made soil later in the season too (July thru August). However the variety of Osmocote I have is about 3-4 months with how long it'll provide nutrients/fertilize the plants. My question is this.... The fertilizer (osmocote) is still in the soil mix from last year; however even with the soil mix I made later in the previous year (July-August) is the Osmocote essentially spent/'dead' even though it's in the soil mix? I know since it's old soil from last year, I'll have to amend it. The Osmocote in there is most likely spent; however will be fertilizing too much by adding new fertilizer since there is Osmocote already in there (even though it's 'dead')? Last edited by aimeruni; May 9, 2014 at 05:13 PM.

May 9, 2014	#3
Zana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southwestern Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,521	I tend to add compost, some new soil mix and sometimes some organic fertiliser to the mix that I rework of previous year's container mix. I mix them in a large wheelbarrow (sorry can't tell you how big it is exactly. I have had as many as 160 pots/containers growing during the season when in full swing. I mark my containers with numbers 1 through 5. No. 5 gets all new container mix and compost that year and the old container mix is dumped in the flower garden beds or the compost . No. 1-4 get a remix of new and old. Basically the numbers correspond to the years. By the 5th year I dump it. Been doing this for about 14 years now. Don't know if that helps. __________________ Zana ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ There is a fine line between genius and crazy. I like to use that line as a jump rope. ~Anonymous (but I totally agree with this! LOL) Forgive and Forget? I'm neither Jesus or nor do I have Alzheimers. ~ Anonymous Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace. -- Dr. Albert Schweitzer

May 9, 2014	#2
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	You are thinking the whole situation through correctly. It is a guessing game a bit. Do the compromise dance and add less nutrients for awhile...with the idea some may be left in there. I usually add new potting mix to old mix (only if no disease was present the prior year). You have not incorporated any ground "soil" in your containers have you?