Making the most of old soil: A comprehensive guide to reusing and enriching garden substrate

With time, the soil for pot plants and gardens often loses its properties, necessitating its replacement. Hence, a common problem many gardeners face is deciding what to do with the old soil. Not all soil is suitable for reuse; checking its condition thoroughly is crucial. Doing so can have a noticeable impact on your plants' health and finances.

Old soil may often contain pests or seeds of various diseases. In such cases, it must be discarded promptly. Therefore, it is essential to smell the soil and inspect its structure closely. Pathogens and pests can lurk in the soil, posing significant problems later. However, if the soil looks good and doesn't emit a foul smell, you can reuse it without any worries.

Indeed, many wonder what to do with old soil. There are numerous ways to use it. It's completely acceptable to use it for new seedlings or even in beds or compost, depending on your garden's needs. Old soil may seem infertile after flowering, but that doesn't imply it will harm your plants. To use old soil effectively, it's crucial to know how to prepare it correctly and enrich its fertility.

The first step is to break up the old soil clumps properly. Only then should you add new substrate and fertilizer. This converts the used soil into an ideal, fertile base for new seedlings. Plus, it's more cost-effective compared to buying fresh soil. This process is referred to as soil fertilization, and such soil works wonderfully during the spring season, particularly for indoor plants. The process should take at least a few days, allowing the soil to gain potency.

Once the old soil is broken up, add fresh garden soil and water it thoroughly. This will make the old substrate resemble mud; however, this isn't the final stage. Once it dries, supplement the soil with compost to enhance its fertility. If compost isn't available, use fermented organic matter like fruit and vegetable scraps, or buy biohumus. Old garden soil serves as an excellent foundation for creating a perfect substrate for specific plant species, and you can easily modify its pH to make it acidic or alkaline.