Can I Re-use Old Potting Soil in Containers? // How to Revitalize Old Potting Soil 

You can add Black Cow Manure to also add great nutrients into the soil. Plants LOVE Black Cow Manure!!! The great thing is almost all plants will thrive in this mixture.

I took your advice and re used old potting soil from old pots. I didn't add anything new, just reused the old potting soil. Now, while I DO have the plants growing in them that I wanted, I also have HUNDREDS of petunias, about 50 basil plants, 30 or so rosemary and even a cilantro plant! Even the starts for tomatoes and squash have petunias growing in with them in my vegetable garden. I am being over run with petunias especially but everyone thinks it's all just wonderful!

This info was exactly what I was looking for as I get ready to close up my container garden for the season!

Great vid. We used to have a massive container garden but sold our condo so are back to soil gardening. Used the same soil for over ten years. But instead of potting soil, I'd suggest compost to replace the missing volume. Richer in food for soil microbes than potting mix... plus compost contains trace minerals that potting soil lacks.

Liked the addition of two inches of new potting soil as a disease barrier. Fresh ideas from you are like fertilizer for my gardening brain!

Suggestion: use coconut shell instead of plastic bottles! (For organic gardening)

I just came inside after doing this with my massive potted Aloe Vera which died from that crazy Texas freeze in February! I was about to cry at the loss until I found one hunk with healthy roots; replanted into a small pot. Lots of old soil that just needs to be amended. No waste. Thanks for the refresher lesson. God bless.

Never knew you shouldn’t use garden soil in a pot! THANK YOU!

I have been reusing container soil for years. I store it in plastic garbage cans over winter. In the spring, I shovel it into a concrete mixture. I amend it by adding sphagnum peat, composted manure and composted pine bark. Mix for 10 minutes. Roots and chunks float to the front. I remove those and fill my pots.

You just saved me a boat load of money!! My gardening coworker informed me I had to throw away all the potting soil used last year. Then scrub pots with dawn and vinegar. Rinse well and fill only with new potting soil. I was about to toss it all and just buy my veggies because of costs.

I have never watch one of his videos where I didn’t learn something!! Love these!!

4:54 One thing ive noticed about chilie pepper seeds in general is that they germinate SLOWLY or not at all IF THEYRE TOO COLD, and that a digitally controlled heated germination mat, set for about 80-85F, supposedly does wonders for germination rate and speed. I have 2 large mats arriving later today in the mail. Apologies if you already covered that elsewhere. 6:20 Your 2" barrier wont stop fusillium wilt, which is largely vascular, not external, so if the roots drink it in, its just a matter of time.

Before I started gardening I used to think that all you needed was soil, that soil was all the same and was adequate for growing. It was a shock to learn it was more complex than that and that you have to make good soil or enrich what you have and match plants to soil they like.

My wife buys a lot of patio containers, at end of season I toss it it a pile in the garden and wait till spring to mix it up or I just rake it in my lawn

I learned something at “yes” 😂😂😂

I’ve learned that Miracle Grow potting soil which used to be top notch is nothing but junk now, mostly sticks and useless debris in their “top notch” expensive soil! Yes, this video answers my question as to I I can use the potting soil from this year next year!

I'm glad you told me I could do this! I've always done and felt guilty!

I always use garden soil to pot plants with and never have had a problem. I refresh every year with food scrap compost.

I always watch and relearn things. My trellis tomatoes gonna kill it this year. Last year bamboo didn’t hold up under weight of tomatoes and plants!!! Made of 2x4’s this years. Thx for all your tips

I always reused potting soil but you showed me how to make it better. Thanks.

I put plastic bottles in the bottom of my big pots ( especially ceramic) because we get a lot of snow and freezing here in Tahoe. The ceramic pots would crack and shed the glaze. I now only get big plastic pots and still put in some bottles to lighten the load.

I throw some alfalfa pellets in the bottom third and in autumn the top to break down gradually

I have always reused my soil from containers. But I'll dump it in a large sunny aera I put it in my drive way cover it with black tarp and let mother nature heat it up. That way it is sanitized! No worries about fungus or any other problems. Then I'll ad in fertilizer or what ever else it may need depending on what I'll be using it for.

Peppers grow like crazy here in Louisiana. It's temperature that grows things. Everything else makes a minimal difference. I've learned in the right temperature a plant will grow several leaves a day.

I’m going to give this a try. I have more potatoes to plant and didn’t want to waste my soil.

For 20 years I re-use potted soil ad re-vitalize it with a mix of coffee grinds -powdered egg shells and smashed dry flower beds. No issue with my mix. herbs, flowers, and miniature tomatoes grow magnificently.

You gave the answer and said, "See you next time" . Hahahaha Hilarious. I love your videos, keep making them. I'm learning a lot.

Thanks! I got a few huge bags of used indoor potting soil free online.

Enjoy seeing someone gardening with their bare hands . I only use gloves around thorny plants 👍. Something about the connection the personal touching of the plants and soil calms me closer to nature I suppose. Maybe that’s weird but oh well . Happy Gardening 😃

I subscribed right away as soon as you told me YES!.

Thanks! That’s what I’ve started doing but, did a RU-vid search to make sure I wasn’t crazy. Well, I AM crazy for flowers and veggies, but that’s a different matter.

You may consider using the white “food grade” buckets for anything edible. They’re available at most hardware stores, or you can get them for free from restaurants, where they are regularly discarded/recycled.

LOL!! You even got a chuckle out of my husband with that intro.

Just watched your video on Cherry Tomatoes > that & this are just the hints that I need! Thanks!

Thank you very much for this information ❤❤❤❤

CLEVER MAN!!! When I saw the plastic bottles appear from the bottom! I am always looking for items to put in the bottom of my containers - GREAT IDEA!!!

I learned something (as always from your videos) and helping your youtube algorithm.

I’ve been doing something similar for years to save money. (I add compost, fertilizer, peat moss and some fresh soil to refresh everything) I always thought it was “bad” or something I should not be doing. Glad to know it’s ok!

Thank goodness we can use it year after year! I love the idea of always adding a couple inches on the top! Thanks!

No matter how vigilant you are with tending to your garden, it's virtually impossible not to have some sort of fungus on plants, when I notice any discoloration I spray my plants leafs and the top of the soil with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water then a few days later I sprinkle some pure cinnamon on top of the soil, it seems to take care of the fungus, you can also use a baking soda solution.

We live in Maine where springs are cold too. We had great luck with peppers by griwing them in a black metal tub that kept soil hot. We also started plants late & when peppers came in late summer into fall, we just pulled the containers into the garage at night to avoid frost & bavk in sun outside all day. Our crop was late but worked great. Very plentiful. We were still getting peppers into late fall.

Great video and thanks for all the tips. I am new to gardening and soil is the most expensive item and anything that helps save that cost is great. You mentioned about the weather and it is cooler where you live. Where are you located? I live in Chicago area and sure the summer doesn’t really start until June !!

U must be telepathic! I was just thinking of this!

Ha! I just did this today to start seeds (in NorCal) this weekend. Excellent timing.

I went one step extra and sifted the old soil from a container to use for a new snap pea plant I had to transplant. I added Azomite, humic soil conditioner and worm castings on top as dressing and watered the plant in using Phytoplankton solution. I will feed in a week with liquid kelp.

I've been mixing the old and new soil for the last 6 years since i purchased our home and started my mini garden. I always wonder though if that was a good idea, i never throw away old soil. I finally found my answer! Thank you!

Im thinking I need to dump my soil but I'm gonna try reusing first. Thanks for the instructions.

Yes, yes, yes, I learn something new every time I watch. It might be brand new but my old brain is thinking it is new😍. Sometimes we need to re-hear a few time before it penetrates the brain. Good luck with the pepper plant!! Thanks for Tip Tuesday, loved the beginning of the video for you short sweet answer.

Can I grow cherry tomatoes in a pot with compost I make from kitchen scraps?

Thank you for posting this video! Yes, I have been reusing potting soil for several years. It is dumb to throw out that soil!

Yes, I learned something new. I’ve always dumped my last years soil and cleaned my pots for the coming year. Thanks for the info.

I live in an apartment building where i take care of aome container flowers. There are 3 big containers that have a brown beetle that comes out in july when it gets hot. It destroyed coleus completely ! I am planning on completing getting rid of all that soil and starting freah. Im thinking that will solve this problem. Thanks for your video.

Yes. Great video. Please mention where you are when discussing weather related issues. Thanks

Excellent advice as a newbi to growing food I am so glad i found yr site so big thank u 💙🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Absolutely great to the point video. Appreciate it.

Yes, I learned something. It never occurred to me to use pop bottles as filler.

I like the idea of putting the extra 2 inches of new soil as a barrier!

Love the humor you inject. Very fun as well as informative.

I cant wait to taste the habanada I'm growing this year. Heard it is like a tropical treat. Hope yours turn out.

Enjoyed finding your videos! Watching them one after another…

Great video. I made the mistake of buying garden soil and added perlite, it still compacted bad and quickly. The next time I bought peat potting soil, it stays wet. I will get it right next time 😂

Just in time. I have 4 large planters on my back deck that need replanting. I'll buy just a couple bags of potting soil and refresh what I have in there currently. Woo-Hoo...more $ for plants!

i found this interesting. i generally toss out a 1/4 and then mix in my own compost with a bit of blood and bone, sheep pellets and general fertiliser. even though i have a large garden and grow most of my own vege, i do not consider myself a gardener. so much to learn and get right. i built raised beds for my vege and basically do this for them as well. in nz where we are its so temperate that i can grow all year round. sadly so do the weeds!

Thanks. I'm loving and learning more each video...

good information and thorough, TY

Thanks, you basically reinforced what I do which was pure speculation and just simply being cheap. Good idea about the exit 2 in at the top just simply to help ensure a good start.

I was surprised to see you use the Home Depot bucket. Do you know if it is safe for planting Veg.? I love your videos. I have been gardening for 50+ years and I am learning a remarkable amount of new things from you.

Hahaha! I thought shortest video ever. I love your videos, short or long. Hi from Calgary Alberta 🇨🇦 🌱

Like the bottle trick.

Thank you. I covered my containers with hay. We have a couple of dry days, so this video came just in time. Have a great day everyone.

Always learn something new!

Yup Home Depot Buckets...we are on the same page 🌱💚💚👩🏽‍🌾👍🏽

Thanks... enjoy your videos

You just saved me some money thank you for your knowledge

I always amend my used potting soil with composted steer manure.It's cheap and adds nitrogen.

Funny start.

I usually make my own potting soil from compost, garden soil and perlite and or sand. Sometimes I add peat depending on what I'm growing. I have never had any real trouble. An occasional grub that I have to deal with but it works pretty well.

Hi Brian, I purchased bulk potting soil from Blue Ribbon Nursery last fall. I filled the bottom of 4 planter beds (4 x 5ft) with branches from guava and lemon trees. Then I filled the rest of the beds (14in) with the purchased bulk potting soil. There is no perlite or coco coir in this soil. When I started planting in the beds this spring, I noticed that the soil was pretty compact. So I just fluffed with my fingers and then started planting root veg (radish and beets) along with leeks, dill, rhudabega, and a few other items. I have also planted peppers, tomatoes, mellon's, okra, and herbs in these new beds. I use a moisture meter to water all my plants from the soil level only in the morning. I use worm castings every 2 weeks at the base of the soil. Most of what I am growing in these beds are not thriving. I really feel that something is wrong at the soil level but I don't know what. If these were your beds what would you do today to grow healthy plants? I just fertilized again 2 days ago(Tuesday the 1st) in the morning. I live in W. Anaheim. 10b

Another great video. Thank you!

So glad I found your channel. Very very helpful.

I definitely leaned something from watching this video. Thanks for sharing. 👍

I do reuse old potting mix but usually after I’ve recycled them through a compost heap or a worm heap. Just to be safer.

I woke up seriously wondering this... i thought, I’m gonna have to search this question. Then i logged onto RU-vid and here you were right there!!! I didn’t even put on a keyword! Thanks!!!

I hate wasting soil and i just wing it. I'm glad to see some of what I'm doing is right. Thank you for the extra tips. It all makes sense.

Wow. Just found you. Subscribed. Amazingly helpful info. Thanks.

This is crazy I just finished gardening and was thinking can I still reuse old potting soil and this video appears....crazy!

Excellent information. Thank you.

Thank you so much for your videos! This year I had an amazing tomato yield from my own balcony, learning from your videos! Thank you for your tips, can't wait to re-use this year's pots and soil for for next year!

I learned good info,ty!!

Neem meal, Gypsum, and Trace Minerals are also excellent to add to the old soil to renew it. Thanks!

Thanks for this! I've got a planter that has got great soil in it. Been there for about two years now and has done great. Problem is, after the amount of rain we've had over the autumn and again in early spring, my planter was seriously waterlogged. Water was floating above the soil. It's all drained off now but, in its current state, I'm not sure it'll be any good. The lavender that has been in their happily for two years seems to have had it now. I'll have get rid of that. I'm glad this video confirmed what I was thinking of doing. That is, empty the entire planter in a bucket and airiate the soil. Now, I know what else I can do. Got plenty of bonemeal just sitting there. plus, used filter coffee. I can put a few bio degradable things in there to serioulsy freshen up the current soil.

Thanks. Last year was my first year and I have 15-20 pots to deal with.

I bought a bunch of large bags of good soil. I am down to the last two bags and found the soil is moldy. Is there any way of being able to use it. Thank you. Love your videos and your book.

Excellent. We both use Kellog's products. Nice to see you growing Habanada, a fun variety.

I wish you would mention where you are when you say that your peppers never did anything due to the area you're in. This is the first video of yours that I've watched so I apologize if you've mentioned it before. Anyway, I've had similar issues with most peppers, especially the larger bell peppers. Jalapenos don't seem to need as much time, so I can usually get those to produce. I believe our summers are just a little too short (zone 5a). I've tried starting seeds indoors but I struggle to keep them healthy so I often end up buying plants at the garden center. I did have one year where we had a very mild spring and I planted the seeds in the ground mid-March. I actually was able to produce some peppers that year. We're having a mild spring this year, so I'm going to do the same and hope for the best but I've been watching a lot of videos about starting seeds so I hope I can get better at it. I would also like more information about how you overwintered your pepper without killing it. Once my plants come in the house, very few of them ever make it out alive, lol.

Excellent video Brian!! Simple refresh of the soil!!! - Rick

Great video. I have a question? I want to refresh the soil in my pots in the spring. Last year I dumped all my pots and buckets on to a tarp on the driveway and mixed in some mushroom compost. I also put in all the other stuff (granulated organic fertiliser, etc, etc) But I have a friend who keeps horses. He's got a mountain of straw and horse poop that's been there for 3 years years now. I used some of it last year with no problems. Can I forgo the mushrooms compost and use the this composted horse poop instead? (it's free!) Thanks again for this video and I look forward to hearing from you.

I just emptied all my containers in a large wooden bin I made outside that has a hinged roof so it will be out of the rain. I may have messed up doing this but I was somehow thinking I could doctor it back up, mixing in some compost, peat moss or other amendments and put it back into my containers already to plant in spring. I’ve seen some people dump all their container soil on a tarp and mix in all kinds of amendments and go straight into containers. If all I have is this soil are there any special percents of coir, peat moss, compost I can mix in together with my potting mix to get me straightened back out.

I learn so much from you. Thank you

Another good video. I refresh my pots with a mixture of compost, coco coir and vermiculite. (Mel’s mix for SFG) Keeps my containers growing strong.