Can i re-use soil???

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mamador1r

Active Member
use, replenish, re-use. as mentioned your soil is tapped of it nutes. with organics its very easy to continue to re-use soil or soil mixes by adding crap & composting
 
Joedank

Joedank

Well-Known Member
be careful if your a chem user or a non flusher cuz you young plants could get burned by leftover salts in the soil from bloom... unlikely but it happened to meeeeee
 
woodsusa

woodsusa

Well-Known Member
Joedank said:
be careful if your a chem user or a non flusher cuz you young plants could get burned by leftover salts in the soil from bloom... unlikely but it happened to meeeeee
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It happened to me as well. I just repotted some plants that I had started in used soil. Several just quit growing. I doubt I can save them. I did flush but they were pretty small. The leaves take on an odd light green color when it happens. At least in my experience. So I will no longer reuse soil.
 
bamfrivet

bamfrivet

Well-Known Member
bob harris said:
Sure...you can re use toilet paper too...Me I'd rather have fresh......
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I don't think this is really an accurate example. After you use your soil, you can still add nutes. Toilet paper could be reused after wiping your ass with it, but you'll probably make a huge mess instead of cleaning anything up. Your soil (assuming that it isn't infested with bugs) can be reused with no problem.
 
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bob harris

Well-Known Member
bamfrivet said:
I don't think this is really an accurate example. After you use your soil, you can still add nutes. Toilet paper could be reused after wiping your ass with it, but you'll probably make a huge mess instead of cleaning anything up. Your soil (assuming that it isn't infested with bugs) can be reused with no problem.
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My point is that although you can re use soil, it's awfully hard to judge what value is left in it. It may have bugs, be barren of nutritional value,or be heavy in nutrition. Without re composting and mixing with a substantial amount of other soil...you just don't know what you have after it's been used once...
 
Monkeyfloss

Monkeyfloss

Active Member
bob harris said:
My point is that although you can re use soil, it's awfully hard to judge what value is left in it. It may have bugs, be barren of nutritional value,or be heavy in nutrition. Without re composting and mixing with a substantial amount of other soil...you just don't know what you have after it's been used once...
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IMHO Using soil once is a joke.... Anyone you starts growing with soil just has to learn how to treat it before reusing it.... Left over salts can be flushed and pests die with either freezing or baking. Its all good, try it if you havent already!
 
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bob harris

Well-Known Member
Monkeyfloss said:
IMHO Using soil once is a joke.... Anyone you starts growing with soil just has to learn how to treat it before reusing it.... Left over salts can be flushed and pests die with either freezing or baking. Its all good, try it if you havent already!
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So..all I have to do is flush all the used soil, then bake it to kill anything, then re mix it with fresh fertilizers? How does that save me time, energy or money?

Of course i'm talking soil..as in organic. If your talking "growing medium" as in just needing something to hold the roots while you pour chemical nutes through it...yea..re use away...
 
Monkeyfloss

Monkeyfloss

Active Member
bob harris said:
So..all I have to do is flush all the used soil, then bake it to kill anything, then re mix it with fresh fertilizers? How does that save me time, energy or money?

Of course i'm talking soil..as in organic. If your talking "growing medium" as in just needing something to hold the roots while you pour chemical nutes through it...yea..re use away...
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Thats not what I said ...... IF you feel you have left over salt in your soil flush with water ... It shouldnt be too hard for you, if it is you should find an easier hobby.
also, IF
you have crawling pest they can be frozen. In certain parts of the world this can be done by leaving outside over a cold snap..... some people do put soil in the freezer, I applaud them. Some DO stick the soil in an oven although I wouldnt since I have a new kitchen and wouldnt get infested with such pests where I grow.
 
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Rhyspect

Active Member
i think the main problem here is that you get water dried up in your pots which leaves salts behind. this is bad. but if you treat your soil a little bit yeh you can use it again... is it worth the extra effort rather than buying a new bag for 3 quid ... hmmm no probably not.
 
Monkeyfloss

Monkeyfloss

Active Member
Rhyspect said:
i think the main problem here is that you get water dried up in your pots which leaves salts behind. this is bad. but if you treat your soil a little bit yeh you can use it again... is it worth the extra effort rather than buying a new bag for 3 quid ... hmmm no probably not.
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I hear what youre saying, soil is dirt cheap.... But its really environmentally unsound and for me thats a consideration. It took a load of Hydrocarbons to dig it out the ground then transport it to the shop etc.... Yes, I know someone will point out "what about your 2x600w HPS on 24hrs a day? True, but I try where I can.
 
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bob harris

Well-Known Member
Rhyspect said:
i think the main problem here is that you get water dried up in your pots which leaves salts behind. this is bad. but if you treat your soil a little bit yeh you can use it again... is it worth the extra effort rather than buying a new bag for 3 quid ... hmmm no probably not.
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That's really my point...
 
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