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How to Restore Potting Soil
How to Restore Potting Soil. If you transplant indoor or outdoor plants every year, throwing out that used potting soil and replacing it with fresh potting soil can be painful to the pocketbook, as good quality potting soil is expensive. If the plants grown in the potting soil are free of pests and disease, there's no reason why valuable potting...
If you transplant indoor or outdoor plants every year, throwing out that used potting soil and replacing it with fresh potting soil can be painful to the pocketbook, as good quality potting soil is expensive. If the plants grown in the potting soil are free of pests and disease, there's no reason why valuable potting mix can't be reused. Just replenish the potting soil by adding a few fresh ingredients.
Things You'll Need
Large wheelbarrow
Trowel
Perlite or vermiculite
Commercial compost or decomposed manure
Watertight container
Dump the old potting soil into a large wheelbarrow. Pick out any roots, and use a trowel or your hands to break up large clods.
Estimate the amount of potting soil in the wheelbarrow and divide it by four. Add that much perlite or vermiculite to the soil, and blend it well. Perlite or vermiculite will ensure that the soil is lightweight with good air circulation.
Add the same amount of commercial compost or decomposed manure. Avoid using your own homemade compost, which may still contain seeds and pests.
Place the restored potting mixture in a waterproof container, and use as desired.
Tips & Warnings
If you decide not to restore your old potting soil, don't let it go to waste. Toss old potting soil on the compost pile.
