Request for info. about re-using SOIL

I am ready to start a new grow. I have PLENTY of soil but it has been used for one grow already. It was indoors in plastic tubs. ANY and ALL comments are WELCOME so THANK YOU!

ive heard of people using a sifter to take all the roots out of there soil and reusing it, however there are many drawbacks such as lack of nutrients and increased risk of parasites. if you do choose to do this make sure you sterilise the soil before using it.

Thanks Adjorr.. What nutrients would I need to add? I've heard furtilizer, bloodmeal and bat guano.

In short, go right ahead. The danger with reusing soil is that it allows plant viruses and easy place to take hold. Since regular gardening soil is cheap, most people replace the soil each season when using containers. In raise beds and open fields savvy gardeners practice crop rotation to reduce the spread of viruses. This is less critical with ornamental crops, but obviously important for food crops.

Now indoors, as long as your plants don't die from insect damage, fungi, or virus the only con would be the lack of nutrients in the soil. But this can be addressed by using slow releasing fertilizers or following a strict feeding regimen.

lol.. thanks Vindicated, I'll take that as big fat NOoooooo!! I have 23 18 gallon tubs of Foxfarm soil. Hate to waste! But never have re-used soil before.

popsplayground said:

I have 23 18 gallon tubs of Foxfarm soil.

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Holy cow got a picture of that grow?

You can do a decent job of killing MOST nasties in the soil by bagging it in black trash bags and laying it in the hot sun for a couple weeks.

That said I'd be hesitant to use it because if I had a problem with the next grow I'd always wonder, it would be another unknown as to what might have happened.

I'd probably use it in other potted plants or till it into outdoor veg/flower beds.

On small scale, I might think about it, but it seems you are doing a large grow????
IMO, it would be more than worth the time, hassle, and worry to just use new medium.

Re-using sucks balls. If you have the money, buy new shit.

Absolutely no reason not to compost and reuse soil. No need to sift out the old root. They will break down during the composting period and add goodies back into the soil. If composted correctly the temps attained during composting will kill anything harmful, pests or disease.

No no don't use it, I will do you a favor and come haul it away. Lol.

as the concilman says on 'The Wire' sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet, you would be a fool not too.

send a soil sample out to your preferred University, let you know exactly what is in there.

as Mr Supertramp stated proper composting is paramount.

I reused some that I did not compost and transplanted new plants into it, feeling the burn (sizzle) because of an over abundance of

nurtients in the soil.

Started working on the room today. Has been idle since last harvest (early October) The soil in the tubs are FROZEN..!!

popsplayground said:

Started working on the room today. Has been idle since last harvest (early October) The soil in the tubs are FROZEN..!!

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Those are going to be heavy,put a piece of snow ice under them and whip them bad boys around

You can also practice crop rotation with containers by growing legumes, then ornamentals, then going back to cannabis. Viruses are usually host specific so crop rotation makes it hard for the viruses to establish themselves. Cooking the soil in the sun using a tarp is another good idea.

Ahhh...YES!! Tomatos....