Question on dirt
+9
Last year, I attempted to grow some herbs (cilantro, rosemary, etc.) but they all died off in their pots because I was not able to attend to them properly. This year I want to try again and I believe I can make it work. I would like to know how to reuse potting soil? Is the dirt still useable? It is all dry and crusty. Clearly, I am new at gardening. My apologies for the goofy question.
7 answers
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I apologize in advance because I do not have a green thumb lol. Maybe just adding water would enrich the soil or you could spread it elsewhere. Hope this works!
Jess
on Apr 30, 2015
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Toss the old dirt in any flower/garden bed and get new potting mix which is essentail for potted plants.
Cheryl
on Apr 30, 2015
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Definitely use a light potting mix. Herbs love well drained soil. Cilantro sometimes needs a little afternoon shade but most others including rosemary love the heat...
Patti @Hearth and Vine
on Apr 30, 2015
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Garden Matter has given you some good advice. Rosemary does like sun. Like thyme, it is a Mediterranean herb. It also likes drainage, so you might add some pea gravel to the potting mix to increase drainage. Rosemary and thyme can stand drier conditions. Herbs like parsley would like a bit more water.
Three Dogs in a Garden
on May 01, 2015
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I am not sure what you planted into if it was dirt you dug out of the garden this will be no good to grow in, you need a potting mix don't skimp money you spend here will save you problems in the long run. If you used potting mix most people replace it I usually reuse unless growing seedlings . Now if you had rosemary die you have a long way to go as I thought that was indestructible, in summer you need to water every day if Colorado springs is hot in the summer twice a day might be needed. I would use the largest pot you can I use pots at least 500mm square and tall but you can getaway with smaller. a lot of people recommend to put crock pieces or stones in the bottom of the pot I don't I just use the potting mix to the bottom an earlier persons idea of using added pea gravel is excellent advise for good drainage and also allows water into potting mix if it dries out . Now this is something no one does but I think is the key to pot growing fill the top of the pot around you plants with Small rocks this keeps the pots temperature even and acts as a mulch it also allows You to water with out worrying about washing the plants out . When watering I use a 20mm open ended hose on full until the pot fills to the top with water But we have plentiful water. If you have water restrictions you may need to grow in semi shade to Cut back on water requirements. I tray under the pot also helps to add a buffer of water if you are not good at watering you have to be careful with small pots doing this
Chris L
on May 01, 2015
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one thing I forgot was the most important don't use plain terracotta even with sealer They are very hard work use a glazed pot or plastic they hold the water . Good luck, it can be great fun
Chris L
on May 01, 2015
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You can...just dump it all out and then mix it with planting medium (like peat and topsoil) and then re-use. put your pots over a large container of rocks and and fill the rocks with water so your plants bottom feed but are not soaking in water : )
Moxie
on May 01, 2015
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