Reuse old soil plan?

FatBoyVik

Active Member
Hey people,

I have a quick question related to using my old soil as I would like to figure out if I can use it again. I bought lots of "living soil" from Eco thrive and it seemed good quality but I had some temp problems which caused me issues. I culled the plants and all of the old soil and root balls are in a large plastic container. I have checked and there are no signs of fungus gnats (which I have alot of in the home unfortunately) and the roots have been removed.

If I put boiling water on it, then water with a water hydrogen peroxide solution and then throw it in a composter and add neem meal and EWC and a compost tea would it be suitable to use again? I don't really just want a just add water grow and I would be open to using an all in one organic fertiliser like house and garden bio 1, as I can imagine some nutrients would be missing from just adding EWC and Neem meal.

Whats the opinions on this plan? Are there clear problems I will run into or could it give me good bud? or would you make changes?

Any input appreciated.
 

amneziaHaze

Well-Known Member
No idea how it would work with hydrogen but i guess if you trow some mycos at the end it should populate the soil.

I usually fill my flower pots with trim and fanleafs after harvest.and next year its all dirt.dont know how fast root would go.
 

GenericEnigma

Well-Known Member
Hey people,

I have a quick question related to using my old soil as I would like to figure out if I can use it again. I bought lots of "living soil" from Eco thrive and it seemed good quality but I had some temp problems which caused me issues. I culled the plants and all of the old soil and root balls are in a large plastic container. I have checked and there are no signs of fungus gnats (which I have alot of in the home unfortunately) and the roots have been removed.

If I put boiling water on it, then water with a water hydrogen peroxide solution and then throw it in a composter and add neem meal and EWC and a compost tea would it be suitable to use again? I don't really just want a just add water grow and I would be open to using an all in one organic fertiliser like house and garden bio 1, as I can imagine some nutrients would be missing from just adding EWC and Neem meal.

Whats the opinions on this plan? Are there clear problems I will run into or could it give me good bud? or would you make changes?

Any input appreciated.
I've recycled my soil for years so far. It's home-built. I have never sterilized or done anything unusual, just dumped, broke up the root ball, added amendments, and refilled.

I recommend getting a RapidTest kit. It will show you the soil's balance and has recommendations for amendment quantities based on test results. It only tests NPK and pH, but is cheap and done at home.

The test kit helps establish a baseline, but the plants themselves are the best indicators. I opted to use the test kit because the plants I grow and mother have significantly different nutritional needs. It may not be necessary for your needs.
 

FatBoyVik

Active Member
I've recycled my soil for years so far. It's home-built. I have never sterilized or done anything unusual, just dumped, broke up the root ball, added amendments, and refilled.

I recommend getting a RapidTest kit. It will show you the soil's balance and has recommendations for amendment quantities based on test results. It only tests NPK and pH, but is cheap and done at home.

The test kit helps establish a baseline, but the plants themselves are the best indicators. I opted to use the test kit because the plants I grow and mother have significantly different nutritional needs. It may not be necessary for your needs.

Thank you, I will see if I can get this kit in my area as if seems like a good idea. Do you just amend so you can water only or do you add some fertiliser?
 

FatBoyVik

Active Member
No idea how it would work with hydrogen but i guess if you trow some mycos at the end it should populate the soil.

I usually fill my flower pots with trim and fanleafs after harvest.and next year its all dirt.dont know how fast root would go.
When you say trim do you mean trim from harvest leaves or just normal ones?
 

Tolerance Break

Well-Known Member
I've recycled my soil for years so far. It's home-built. I have never sterilized or done anything unusual, just dumped, broke up the root ball, added amendments, and refilled.

I recommend getting a RapidTest kit. It will show you the soil's balance and has recommendations for amendment quantities based on test results. It only tests NPK and pH, but is cheap and done at home.

The test kit helps establish a baseline, but the plants themselves are the best indicators. I opted to use the test kit because the plants I grow and mother have significantly different nutritional needs. It may not be necessary for your needs.
Is there a brand you would reccomend?
 

GenericEnigma

Well-Known Member
Thank you, I will see if I can get this kit in my area as if seems like a good idea. Do you just amend so you can water only or do you add some fertiliser?
I give the soil some juice, but at 15G containers, if the plants get big I top dress. One pheno I have requires zero extra nitrogen, so leaving some variability on the latter end of the soil's performance is handy.
Is there a brand you would reccomend?
Rapitest is the only one I have used (I spelled it wrong above). I tested my soil before and after reamending, so I know it's detecting something. Hehe.

 

IBD505

Member
I worked on a new farm last year that came down to New Mexico from Colorado their potting soil was 14 years old, it was free, if you amend it properly I don’t see anything wrong with reusing old soil I do..? They grow organically though ans do I and they only used that soil after clone and during veg, then into the earth. But those were happy plants.IMG_7262.jpegIMG_7263.jpegIMG_7264.jpeg
 
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