Recycling the soil, amendments?

Duh_Vinci · March 20, 2011

Up until now, I never really "recycled" my old container mix, simply added the "spent" container mix and racked it in into the bare spots of the lawn which worked great.

Now the lawn is pretty much established, and I have pickup load of container mix from last year (been sitting in a pile over the winter), I want to use it as a base...

Original mix was Stagreen Potting Mix, Mushroom Compost, pine bark fines, vermiculite, perlite and home made compost.

What would you suggest to add to this mixture prior to use in containers again (aside from fertilizer)? It's also getting Biotamax and Mycogrow drench prior to transplant...

Any advise would be appreciated! Don't want o be wastful, it just seem like it still is a decent media base.

Regards,
D

ContainerTed · March 20, 2011

The container mixtures will deteriorate by getting finer and more compactable. So add in things that create air spaces. If it were in the fall, I would add mulched leaves (not walnut, hickory, or sweetgum). I would also add in some dolomite lime to replenish calcium.

Right now, I would add the lime, and maybe some composted manure or mushroom compost. Also, something like Tomato-Tone can be added to help boost the micro-nutrients.

Ted

easttx_hippie · March 20, 2011

At the end of the year, I usually cover my raised beds with hay and shredded leaves and then empty my containers on top of that. I let the beds sit like that all winter and then mix it all together a week or two before I plant in it.

So, I don't have the same problem as you but, if I DID have a pile of old potting mix exposed to the elements all winter, the first thing I would do is to put it into black plastic trash bags. I would then spread those bags in the sunniest place in my yard and let them cook for at least a couple of weeks, turning them every few days for even cooking. That would hopefully kill any wayward seeds that might have been deposited in the pile by the wind, birds, or any other critters that passed by.

After I was satisfied that I had let it cook long enough I would toss in some bone and blood meal, mix well, and use it like any other potting mix.

Duh_Vinci · March 20, 2011

Thank for suggestions, appreciate it indeed!

It is much finer by now (compare to what it use to be, mushroom compost content definitely broke down over the winter quite a bit).

Tomato Tone is exactly what I've been using for some time now, works really well imo, and few times through the season, I mix additional TT with home made compost, just topping off each container...

I was thinking adding some bark fines, to bring the texture to a bit more coarse consistency for those air spaces...

Regards,
D

Tom C zone 4/5 · March 20, 2011

Spent potting soil goes into my compost bin.

shlacm · March 20, 2011

Yikes... I reeeeeaaaaalllllyyyyyyyyy hope I don't break any rules doing this, but I haven't seen where it says NOT to post links to other forums, SO I'm going to hope it's okay! IF NOT, Mods PLEASE delete this and let me know!

Here is a link I have bookmarked that addresses "reconditioning" used SWC mix for either re-use in SWR's OR "traditional" containers: Reusing Potting Mix

March 20, 2011	#1
Duh_Vinci Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Locust Grove, VA Posts: 292	Recycling the soil, amendments? Up until now, I never really "recycled" my old container mix, simply added the "spent" container mix and racked it in into the bare spots of the lawn which worked great. Now the lawn is pretty much established, and I have pickup load of container mix from last year (been sitting in a pile over the winter), I want to use it as a base... Original mix was Stagreen Potting Mix, Mushroom Compost, pine bark fines, vermiculite, perlite and home made compost. What would you suggest to add to this mixture prior to use in containers again (aside from fertilizer)? It's also getting Biotamax and Mycogrow drench prior to transplant... Any advise would be appreciated! Don't want o be wastful, it just seem like it still is a decent media base. Regards, D

March 20, 2011	#2
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	The container mixtures will deteriorate by getting finer and more compactable. So add in things that create air spaces. If it were in the fall, I would add mulched leaves (not walnut, hickory, or sweetgum). I would also add in some dolomite lime to replenish calcium. Right now, I would add the lime, and maybe some composted manure or mushroom compost. Also, something like Tomato-Tone can be added to help boost the micro-nutrients. Ted __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

March 20, 2011	#3
easttx_hippie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Piney Wood Hills Posts: 423	Recycling the soil At the end of the year, I usually cover my raised beds with hay and shredded leaves and then empty my containers on top of that. I let the beds sit like that all winter and then mix it all together a week or two before I plant in it. So, I don't have the same problem as you but, if I DID have a pile of old potting mix exposed to the elements all winter, the first thing I would do is to put it into black plastic trash bags. I would then spread those bags in the sunniest place in my yard and let them cook for at least a couple of weeks, turning them every few days for even cooking. That would hopefully kill any wayward seeds that might have been deposited in the pile by the wind, birds, or any other critters that passed by. After I was satisfied that I had let it cook long enough I would toss in some bone and blood meal, mix well, and use it like any other potting mix.

March 20, 2011	#5
Tom C zone 4/5 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: SE Ohio Posts: 253	Spent potting soil goes into my compost bin. __________________ Beyond the mountains, there are more mountains.

March 20, 2011	#6
shlacm Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central VA Posts: 436	Yikes... I reeeeeaaaaalllllyyyyyyyyy hope I don't break any rules doing this, but I haven't seen where it says NOT to post links to other forums, SO I'm going to hope it's okay! IF NOT, Mods PLEASE delete this and let me know! Here is a link I have bookmarked that addresses "reconditioning" used SWC mix for either re-use in SWR's OR "traditional" containers: Reusing Potting Mix