Don't bin it! When it comes to repotting, we've all been there - staring at a pile of old potting mix wondering whether to reuse or replace. While it may feel thrifty and sustainable, using tired soil can compact roots, harbor pests, and drain it of essential nutrients.
So, how do you know when to refresh your soil and when to toss it? The answer lies in identifying the signs. If the mix smells musty, contains mold, or has visible fungus gnats, it's best to err on the side of caution and discard it altogether.
However, if your potting mix is dry, healthy, and crumbly, there's hope for revival. A simple trick involves tipping the used soil into a clean container, breaking up any clumps, and removing old roots or debris. To give it a fresh new lease on life, mix in one-third of new compost, along with a handful of perlite or coco coir to improve aeration and drainage.
For larger plants like tropical species, adding a slow-release fertilizer can be beneficial. And if you're unsure about pests, there's an easy way to sterilize the soil: moisten it, place it on a tray, cover it with foil, and bake it in an oven at 82-93C (180-200F) for 30 minutes.
The results speak for themselves - refreshed soil can be just as effective as new potting mix. In fact, I put my recently revived potting mix to the test by repotting a pothos, and within weeks, the plant was thriving with new growth.
So, go ahead and breathe new life into your old potting mix. It may require some TLC, but the payoff is well worth it - not only will you save money, but you'll also be doing your plants and the planet a favor.
So, how do you know when to refresh your soil and when to toss it? The answer lies in identifying the signs. If the mix smells musty, contains mold, or has visible fungus gnats, it's best to err on the side of caution and discard it altogether.
However, if your potting mix is dry, healthy, and crumbly, there's hope for revival. A simple trick involves tipping the used soil into a clean container, breaking up any clumps, and removing old roots or debris. To give it a fresh new lease on life, mix in one-third of new compost, along with a handful of perlite or coco coir to improve aeration and drainage.
For larger plants like tropical species, adding a slow-release fertilizer can be beneficial. And if you're unsure about pests, there's an easy way to sterilize the soil: moisten it, place it on a tray, cover it with foil, and bake it in an oven at 82-93C (180-200F) for 30 minutes.
The results speak for themselves - refreshed soil can be just as effective as new potting mix. In fact, I put my recently revived potting mix to the test by repotting a pothos, and within weeks, the plant was thriving with new growth.
So, go ahead and breathe new life into your old potting mix. It may require some TLC, but the payoff is well worth it - not only will you save money, but you'll also be doing your plants and the planet a favor.
... like, who doesn't love saving a buck, right? But honestly, sometimes it's just better to let go, ya know? I mean, think about all those pesky fungus gnats and moldy smells that can really mess with your plants' health. And if you're unsure, it's always better to err on the side of caution 
.
! Adding in some new compost and perlite really helped get things breathing properly. And that slow-release fertilizer for larger plants is genius 
... now I'm all about giving my plants the TLC they deserve 
... or a serious makeover 
. And let's be real, repotting with old soil is basically just a DIY project 
.
. I mean, who doesn't love saving money and being more sustainable, right? 
The tips on how to revive old soil are super helpful too, especially the oven sterilization trick 
... who knew baking soil could be a thing? 
️ Anyway, kudos to whoever came up with this info - I'll definitely be trying it out on my plants ASAP 
. But if it's all dry and crumbly, give it a try! Adding some new compost and perlite is like, the best thing ever 
. My plants love it too 
, especially my pothos which was struggling before... now it's thriving 
. I'm totally hooked on this method 
.
, we're so obsessed with saving money and reducing waste that we need to remind ourselves when to cut our losses (pun intended). I've got some old potting mix just chillin' in my garden and I was like, "Should I refresh this or toss it?" And honestly, it's not as hard as it sounds. If it's all dry and crumbly, give it a break