Completely replace container soil?

Miss Lynne · March 3, 2014

Ramping up to plant this year and realized I'm unsure of how to transition last years containers to begin this years garden. Backstory: last year was my first year container gardening as I've always had a yard. I had a very successful season with a rooftop garden of 25+ containers ranging from 10 gallon -25 gallon. At the end of the season I pulled all plants from the containers, roots and all. Now I am left with containers of dirt. Do I need to trash the soil left behind and start completely over with all new mix? Or could I reuse the dirt with addition of compost, fish meal or other additives?
I'd like to avoid hauling huge amounts of dirt down through a condo building but on the flip side don't want to be lazy and risk jeopardizing this years garden.

Thoughts?

March 3, 2014	#1
Miss Lynne Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 12	Completely replace container soil? Ramping up to plant this year and realized I'm unsure of how to transition last years containers to begin this years garden. Backstory: last year was my first year container gardening as I've always had a yard. I had a very successful season with a rooftop garden of 25+ containers ranging from 10 gallon -25 gallon. At the end of the season I pulled all plants from the containers, roots and all. Now I am left with containers of dirt. Do I need to trash the soil left behind and start completely over with all new mix? Or could I reuse the dirt with addition of compost, fish meal or other additives? I'd like to avoid hauling huge amounts of dirt down through a condo building but on the flip side don't want to be lazy and risk jeopardizing this years garden. Thoughts?