Can i reuse the potting soil in my flower boxes from last year/ how would I amend the old soil?

I re-use soil for two years, but I buy really good soil. if you buy cheap potting mix, pitch it..



For the replenishment, I add osmocote (at a heavy feeding rate). It's a controlled release fertilizer. I also put miracid on the soil when I first go to plant. this lowers the potting soil pH and it helps start the new plants until the osmocote kicks in.



after the second year, I spread it in my beds to add organic matter..

Can i reuse the potting soil in my flower boxes from last year/ how would I amend the old soil?
Yes,just add plant food or fertilizer and maybe a little pesticides.If its been outside it may have bug eggs in it.I like adding egg shells to it they seem to keep the dirt fertile an loose.Try an remove all the roots from previous plantings as well.I reuse all mine but I still always have to add a little new soil to them.
Reply:.

sometimes the soil left over from last year can be reused, but it won't have the nutrients the plant needs to make it grow.



To freshen the left over soil, add some new or fresh potting soil that has never been used and mix together. About 1/2 %26amp; 1/2 or little more of the fresh potting soil. Next year you will have to put all fresh soil.
Reply:yes,I add small amount of lime,osmocote,and half fresh dirt mix well and plant !!
Reply:An easy way to amend old soil is by oputting it into a compost pile for a year, adding old plants, pruning trimmings, and fertilizers to the compost should prepair it in a few months for replanting, it will go quicker if you can superheat it, either by a mini greenhouse, or with chemical heating, it can be finished in a month or so.
Reply:Yes!! If the plants that had grown in that soil were disease free then their is not reason to not use it again. Every year, add about 2 inches of top soil to your existing soil.
Reply:Potting soil goes bad over time. It will mold and you can end up with insects in the soil. I would mix some good topsoil in with the potting soil to promote the breaking down of the potting soil. Also remember the plants are sucking the nutrients out of the soil. After awhile the soil loses all it nurturing value.