When do we change soil in containers

Elliot · March 25, 2008

My containers still have miracle grow soil from last year. They are large containers. I use over one large bag of miracle grow soil for each container. Question: Does this soil have to be changed every year? 2) Can I get away with only changing half of the pot and leaving the bottom soil?

Elliot

creister · March 25, 2008

I don't know the size of your containers, but I have read on the Earthbox website on how to reuse the mix in an earthbox. So, I would think you would be all right. I would probably mix the old and new together real good. I have read that the problem with potting mixes as the soil breaks down is that the pores (read air spaces) in the soil disappear, therefore causing poor drainage. I hope this makes sense.

Tomstrees · March 25, 2008

For me - I change the potting soil every season ...
I've tried using the same soil 2 years straight and did not have good results.

~ Tom

JohnnyRock · March 25, 2008

In order to improve drainage, you could take out a bit of the old mix, then mix in some sand, pearlite, and/or additional compost.

Elliot · March 26, 2008

My containers can take over 64 quarts of miracle grow. That the very large size bags. How deep do tomato roots go?

rnewste · March 26, 2008

Elliot,

The roots on my Cherokee Chocolate are down in the aeration bench and appear headed for the water below. The depth of the potting mix in my 31 gal container is approx 10".

A word of caution on using all Miracle Grow Potting Mix, if you have the kind with coir, (Moisture Control blue bag label), I found in my containers it was too "hot" (aggressive wicking), and wound up blending it 50/50% with plain Sta-Green potting mix, in order to keep my moisture meter in the "Moist" range.

I had to unload it all from 10 containers, then re-mix with the Sta-Green, which was time consuming.

Just wanted to save you the same trouble.

Ray

March 25, 2008	#1
Elliot Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hicksville, New York Posts: 503	When do we change soil in containers My containers still have miracle grow soil from last year. They are large containers. I use over one large bag of miracle grow soil for each container. Question: Does this soil have to be changed every year? 2) Can I get away with only changing half of the pot and leaving the bottom soil? Elliot

March 25, 2008	#3
Tomstrees Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NJ Bayshore Posts: 3,848	For me - I change the potting soil every season ... I've tried using the same soil 2 years straight and did not have good results. ~ Tom __________________ My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale

March 25, 2008	#2
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	I don't know the size of your containers, but I have read on the Earthbox website on how to reuse the mix in an earthbox. So, I would think you would be all right. I would probably mix the old and new together real good. I have read that the problem with potting mixes as the soil breaks down is that the pores (read air spaces) in the soil disappear, therefore causing poor drainage. I hope this makes sense.

March 25, 2008	#4
JohnnyRock Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 71	In order to improve drainage, you could take out a bit of the old mix, then mix in some sand, pearlite, and/or additional compost.

March 26, 2008	#5
Elliot Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hicksville, New York Posts: 503	My containers can take over 64 quarts of miracle grow. That the very large size bags. How deep do tomato roots go?

March 26, 2008	#6
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Elliot, The roots on my Cherokee Chocolate are down in the aeration bench and appear headed for the water below. The depth of the potting mix in my 31 gal container is approx 10". A word of caution on using all Miracle Grow Potting Mix, if you have the kind with coir, (Moisture Control blue bag label), I found in my containers it was too "hot" (aggressive wicking), and wound up blending it 50/50% with plain Sta-Green potting mix, in order to keep my moisture meter in the "Moist" range. I had to unload it all from 10 containers, then re-mix with the Sta-Green, which was time consuming. Just wanted to save you the same trouble. Ray