re using soil

[Tarragon2017]

I mostly plant in containers having said that getting compost , grit etc is annoying and heavy.

I was wondering if you could reuse it , again some say you can some say you cant.

I was thinking of removing maybe half from tubs adding new and whilst doing this breaking up the soil watering it with a small shovel.

[maverick451]

Think about the soil in the ground, you dont throw it away after 1 season

Just dont grow the same things in the same soil year after year.

If I may say I think you stressing too much, 90% if us just use a bag of compost in pots and get great results.

If you want to add in some grit or vermiculite then great but please dont worry too much

[Jay-ell]

It'll run our of nutrients so you will have to add some back in - popping some blood, fish and bone in will do it.

[Tarragon2017]

Thanks guys but as I have required knowledge in a blitz of reading over a week just like some confirmation , a little knowledge is so much more worse than ignorant bliss as I was growing before hahahah.

[Bigmallly]

Oh bu99er..............here was me thinking you had started a thread without bladdy grit.................

[Tarragon2017]

just call me Mr Grit , IF I Grow a forest of herbs using Grit you will be the first one to know Bigmallly

[Bigmallly]

If you really want to use it & for some reason I think you do, mix 50/50 with sieved MPC & grow Carrots/Parsnips.

[Jay22]

Do you not find the pots are full of roots? Would these just rot in the pot adding nutrients...excuse my ignorance if that is a daft thought! I've just chucked all last years compost into the garden.

[Bigmallly]

You could always sieve the roots out Jay, it's only a holding medium for the plants. Once you've beefed it up with some fresh compost or feed you are ready to go again.

[HoneyChild]

Last year I grew some tomatoes in pots. When they were finished I just cut them at the base and then sprinkled giant red mustard seeds over the top and watered them it. They're still growing nicely. This spring I did the same thing but with a variety of salad leaf seeds and I also put in a few saved broad beans in the hope they'll add nitrogen. If they look ill just give them a feed of something.

[Jimmy]

Hmm after 30 years gardening at this house I have too much soil. Adding old grow bags and horse muck over the years has raised the soil level considerably. So much that the beds are overflowing with soil.
It also causes mild flooding when it rains as the soil level is above the paths etc.
Any suggestions ?
Can I burn it perhaps ?
Jimmy

[vixylix]

Burn soil?!

Can you not bag some up and offer it locally?! It will start to compact and compost back down over time though - just feed / mulch rather than topping up for a while?

[Potstubsdustbins]

It is unwise not to empty your container at the end of the growing season, you would end up with a container full of various roots restricting the following plants.

I hardly ever buy new MPC just enough for setting seed as I know it is sterile. Used compost is riddled and stored over winter, then as required reused after beefing up with Grow-more as a base fertiliser, it is then fed as required during the season.

[Jimmy]

Burn soil?!

Can you not bag some up and offer it locally?! It will start to compact and compost back down over time though - just feed / mulch rather than topping up for a while?

I guess I will have to live with it. It doesn't want to light !
Jimmy

[Penellype]

If you don't like roots in your compost a good way to get rid of it is to break it up with a hand fork and then stir vigorously with the fork. The roots tend to stick to the fork prongs and you can easily remove them. Saves sieving if you don't really need to. I only sieve for seedlings and carrots.