OK, to re-use soil?

Shadeslay

Shadeslay

Active Member
I'm curious if it's acceptable to re-use the soil after a grow or if it should be replaced? And if it can be, how many grows can you get before having to change the soil?
 
Ive never grown in soil but something tells me you dont reuse it. The roots get everywhere it would be impossible to get all of them out.
 
i was told that if used rite away it would increase the chances of root rot and the ph would be harder to keep down. i think im gonna try and mix with fresh and 6-month for the greenhouse. after i rinse it,got trashcans full lined up in garage waiting for weather and what the law is gonna allow. unless i hear different here.
 
I've re-used my soil quite often with no adverse effects that I've seen. The only thing that would stop me from re-using it would be if I had a serious bug problem or mold/mildew/disease on the plants. Then I would use new soil.
 
pokesalotasmot said:
I've re-used my soil quite often with no adverse effects that I've seen. The only thing that would stop me from re-using it would be if I had a serious bug problem or mold/mildew/disease on the plants. Then I would use new soil.
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Thanks, you've put my mind at ease some. I had already started my 2nd batch two weeks ago, just assuming I could re-use the soil. And started getting paranoid I would run into some big problems later. I did let the soil dry out for 2 weeks and trying to change the soil at this point might cause more harm. So I'll hope for the best.
 
soil is cheap, take the old stuff and till it up in your garden outback. Or get a compost bin if you are really wanting to reuse it.
 
If I were to buy new mix after every season it would fuck my margins up.Leave the pots outside for a few rainfalls,Ph the fuck out of it,get it back down to 6.I replanted once w/o leaching and the root system was only about 6 in deep.Now I leach and remove roots + I mix the old mix with 1/3 peat 1/3 MG Moisture Control Mix and a couple of cups of Perlite.havent had a root problem since.Whe I change out the res indoors I pour it all over my plants and Tomatoes and Fig Trees.I get figs as big as a Tennis Ball.
 
So has anybody else here actually tried re-using their soil? Keep in mind I don't always get to reclaim a full pot of soil from an expired plant, so occasionally I mix in a little bit of fresh soil to guarantee I have enough soil for every batch of plants. I also throw yellowed/dying leaves into my pots and let them naturally decompose into the soil. I feel that using the same soil a lot helps keep things consistent with my ph runoff. Also maybe I'm just stingy, but I can't justify constantly spending more money on more soil when I already have perfectly good soil to use.
 
well i know that the corn crops have to rotate crops because plants strip nutrients out of the soil and have to rotate it to replenish it. :joint:
 
We still give them nutrients so whats the difference? We still need to monitor the plants for problems, and If they occur, address them. As long as the plant is getting the nutrition it needs, what does it matter what its planted in?
 
This is why you don't reuse it right away.... the best use is in a compost pile outside and then use it in an outdoor garden.

foryoursorrows said:
well i know that the corn crops have to rotate crops because plants strip nutrients out of the soil and have to rotate it to replenish it. :joint:
Click to expand...
 
Serapis said:
This is why you don't reuse it right away.... the best use is in a compost pile outside and then use it in an outdoor garden.
Click to expand...

Haha I can't help but think we're comparing apples to oranges. I have an outdoor garden too, and my wife and I rotate our crops outside. But the question was for re-using soil in an indoor grow. To each his own, but I've reused a lot of my soil indoors for my grows, and like I said I've had no ill effects that I've been able to see. :blsmoke:
 
I've been making my own mix and re-using it for many, many years.

It's not rocket science and it's not difficult and it saves a boatload of $$$$$ when you mix up 12CuFt or so at a pop. Cost me $15 or less to re charge that 90 gallons of used mix.

The only rule is, outside mix stays outside.

I've found the mix stays good for ~3 years then the peat gets too broken down. THEN it goes on the garden.

Wet
 
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