Wow, I had never heard of this. I didn't know that pathogens could be a problem in potting soil, but it looks like they can be. Here's an article that will give you directions:
This is to sterilize it. Do you need to do that? I have a lot of houseplants, and so did my Grandmother - never needed to that. People who have to make their own potting soil from dirt do that to kill weeds. If it comes from a bag, no need to do that.
If you've purchased the potting soil, there are a whole lot of good flora in there that would die if you bake it. If you've dug it up, you can bake it to kill off anything you don't want (or even microwave it) and then I would add in some purchased potting soil just to amend the fact that you've killed off some good guys.
Baking soil is usually unnecessary and can eliminate much of what a plant needs for best growth. Only seeds might be effected by fungus, therefore needing baked soil. If you do decide to bake your garden soil, do so outside on the barbecue. The smell otherwise will be obnoxious. Also, if you do bake your soil try and add back in compost to provide the nutrients and positive flora your plants need.
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Wow, I had never heard of this. I didn't know that pathogens could be a problem in potting soil, but it looks like they can be. Here's an article that will give you directions:
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/bake-soil-kill-pathogens-46218.html
Thanks for the idea! It might help my potted plants. I often kill them so I'm hoping this is the problem so I can correct it.
Why would you want to bake potting soil?
If you feel it might be full of weeds etc.
This is to sterilize it. Do you need to do that? I have a lot of houseplants, and so did my Grandmother - never needed to that. People who have to make their own potting soil from dirt do that to kill weeds. If it comes from a bag, no need to do that.
If you've purchased the potting soil, there are a whole lot of good flora in there that would die if you bake it. If you've dug it up, you can bake it to kill off anything you don't want (or even microwave it) and then I would add in some purchased potting soil just to amend the fact that you've killed off some good guys.
Baking soil is usually unnecessary and can eliminate much of what a plant needs for best growth. Only seeds might be effected by fungus, therefore needing baked soil. If you do decide to bake your garden soil, do so outside on the barbecue. The smell otherwise will be obnoxious. Also, if you do bake your soil try and add back in compost to provide the nutrients and positive flora your plants need.