help with reusing old soil!

aimeruni · May 9, 2014

I have a ton of soil in containers leftover from last year. I plan to reuse it; I need help with how to go about how to 'revitalize' it (add nutrients and fertility back to it).

I make my soil in 30 gallon batches (one batch=30 gallons) and for each 30 gallon batch I add 2 cups of Osmocote (or other similar slow-release fertilizer).

The Osmocote was added last year at the beginning of the growing season (end of May); I made soil later in the season too (July thru August).

However the variety of Osmocote I have is about 3-4 months with how long it'll provide nutrients/fertilize the plants.

My question is this....

The fertilizer (osmocote) is still in the soil mix from last year; however even with the soil mix I made later in the previous year (July-August) is the Osmocote essentially spent/'dead' even though it's in the soil mix?

I know since it's old soil from last year, I'll have to amend it. The Osmocote in there is most likely spent; however will be fertilizing too much by adding new fertilizer since there is Osmocote already in there (even though it's 'dead')?

May 9, 2014	#1
aimeruni Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Brooksville FL, zone 9a Posts: 67	help with reusing old soil! I have a ton of soil in containers leftover from last year. I plan to reuse it; I need help with how to go about how to 'revitalize' it (add nutrients and fertility back to it). I make my soil in 30 gallon batches (one batch=30 gallons) and for each 30 gallon batch I add 2 cups of Osmocote (or other similar slow-release fertilizer). The Osmocote was added last year at the beginning of the growing season (end of May); I made soil later in the season too (July thru August). However the variety of Osmocote I have is about 3-4 months with how long it'll provide nutrients/fertilize the plants. My question is this.... The fertilizer (osmocote) is still in the soil mix from last year; however even with the soil mix I made later in the previous year (July-August) is the Osmocote essentially spent/'dead' even though it's in the soil mix? I know since it's old soil from last year, I'll have to amend it. The Osmocote in there is most likely spent; however will be fertilizing too much by adding new fertilizer since there is Osmocote already in there (even though it's 'dead')? Last edited by aimeruni; May 9, 2014 at 04:13 PM.