Can I use the same soil in my containers just by adding ferterlizer?

Carol Hoffman
by Carol Hoffman

I have big 8qt containers and would like to fill them with old soil, any advice on how to reuse potting soil? Can I just add fertilizer?


  5 answers
  • Bulldog Bulldog on Apr 23, 2017

    It should be fine to do this depending on what you want to plant . If it I should flowers it will totally work I do this year after year

  • William William on Apr 23, 2017

    I reuse the soil in my containers by mixing in some some compost and peat moss. Fertilizer is for the plants and not for amending soil.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 24, 2017

    You can re-use the soil but fill the container half way and add fresh soil.Do not put fertilizer in the soil.Allow the plants to develop for about two weeks that use a water soluble food in lieu of watering that day.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Apr 24, 2017

    I agree with William. I reuse every year. I take out approximately half the soil and put it in a large container to put in my garden. I put the rest of the soil in a large container and add half peat moss and half potting soil to make up for what was removed. I do a number of the containers at the same time for saving a little time. Fill your pots and you will be good to go. I have great results with that. For the bigger pots, you can do them less frequently, just make sure you put in a good time release fertilizer and maybe a bit of peat moss mixed in when you aerate the soil before planting. I quit using the water soluble fertilizer as you need to use it each time you water. If you have a lot of pots that require a lot of carting buckets of water it is not worth the pain in my back. I get enough of that taking care of my gardens.

  • Melissa Melissa on Apr 24, 2017

    Absolutely! I, too, use the soil from previous years and then add new soil on top of that. I use small rocks in the bottom to assist with drainage, and if the pot is large, you can fill part way with packing peanuts or bubble wrap, then put the old soil in, then the new soil on top. This will help make the planter manageable if it needs to be moved.