There have been threads about re-using some container mix the following year.

Here's a link with a link in the last post.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tomato/msg0212484525931.html

I don't remember having seen any explanation of how people store used mix over the winter. Maybe in one of those threads (which are from posts all across GW, not simply in the Tomato forum)....

As I posted on another question about this -

"Reusing it gets mixed opinions. Some swear never! Some do it all the time. So all I can tell you is that I do. I dump all the containers out onto a big tarp, spread it out in the sun with a rake to dry well, then I mix in about 1/3 new mix and some fresh pelleted fertilizers with it. After cleaning all the containers well I refill the containers and go from there. After the 3rd year the old goes into the garden and I start with new in the containers. Never had any problems with this method."

I need to add to that info that it all depends on what mix you use in the first place. Some break down much faster than others. I only use ProMix BX in my containers.

You'll find much more info about this question over on the Container Gardening forum as that is their focus.

Dave

Thanks a million, guys. A lot of reading there, but very helpful. I like the idea of spreading it out in the sun. Dave, could you specify the reference to "fresh pelleted fertilizers"? Many thanks, Gary.

Thanks a million, guys. A lot of reading there, but very helpful. I like the idea of spreading it out in the sun. Dave, could you specify the reference to "fresh pelleted fertilizers"? Many thanks, Gary.

Hi Gary -

I've got a relatively small tomato space as my garden takes up a very limited area by the pool filter/heating equipment - approximately 16 plants of which half are potted. Mixed in w/ the in-ground tomatoes are a fair amount of large adobe/clay pots on hardscape which each year are re-used after soil turnover and adding a modicum of new amendments with no problem in terms of production/disease and every plant is coming along just as hoped (knock on wood).

Next year as a preventive measure, I sure like Dave's method above and will give that a go.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do -

Will and the Furry Ones in the OC

could you specify the reference to "fresh pelleted fertilizers"

Osmocote or similar slo-release product. Mixed in well before refilling the containers. Then I use a good quality 10-10-10 granular for banding and side-dressing the plants and then other liquid supplements as needed when watering.

I grow mostly organic in the gardens but it doesn't work well in containers with soil-less potting mix.

Dave

Dave (digdirt) and I use very similar methods of reusing mix. I put all my mix from all the pots into a very large tarp and add some dolomite lime and some 10-10-10 slow release fertilizer. After mixing well, I roll it all up and let it spend the winter working on decomposition. This will allow the calcium in the lime to get closer to useable compounds over time. Also, the slow release will have rejuvenated some of the nutrients lost to watering washout the previous season.

Then, in the spring, I add some new mix to the old as I fill my pots, buckets, and tubs(roughly 25% new mix). I also add some composted manure (usually Black Kow). With another handful of dolomite lime, some Tomato-Tone (from Espoma - about a cup per container), and another small handful of 10-10-10, I fill the tubs and set in the tomato and pepper plants. I add some Miracle Grow for Tomatoes fertilizer to the watering every two or three weeks during the growing season.

When all the containers are properly filled and plants are growing, I use any leftover mix from the last year in flower beds or hanging planters or whatever. So, nothing wasted.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, Ted. I follow your posts elsewhere and thus value your advice on container growing.

Question: When you say 10-10-10 slow release fertilizer are you, like Dave, referring to products like Osmocote (timed-release, usually temperature- and moisture-activated), or to the common granular 10-10-10? The reason I ask is that I've never seen Osmocote in a 10-10-10 version (of course there may be other brands).

Thanks,
Gary

I would not reuse peat based soil, as it is already water retentive and breaks down quickly. Bark based soil such as 5-1-1 from the container forum lasts much longer and can be reused. Best to sterilize the soil though before reusing.

Gary, because I use some Tomato Tone for the micros, I use the cheapest 10-10-10 slow release I can find. That will take care of the basic NPK's and I can use the "good stuff" for the rest of the formula to get a fairly well balanced growing medium.

Most folks get too detailed in putting together a growing medium. Tomato plants are far more accomodating to less than perfect environments than we give them credit for. I treat them like kids. Give them the best you've got and let them adapt a bit to their environment. My formula is not perfect, but it seems to do well year after year.

Take care and don't be afraid to push the envelope from time to time. It'll teach you just how wide the window for success can be.

Ted

I consider reusing the potting mix as practical,prudent,and
frugal.

Do you still use this method in 2016? Digdirt? Dave?.

I reuse mine but freshen up a bit with new mix.

Soil is just a medium. As long as it has the right balance of moisture retention and drainage it can be used. Probably a used mix has advantage by keeping some of the nutrients and essential elements fro the previous season.

Sey

PS: clean it from the roots, ... possibly let it get dray and store in a closed container over the winter, where it can possibly freeze.

Now it's the 6th season I'm using the same mix. It was basically mostly peat with just a bit of perlite. I do add a bit more each year (since it compacts and also gets lost a due to wind, birds, etc) and try to fluff it in the spring (directly in the pot since I don't want to get my balcony dirty). Also remove the previous roots (also in the spring, when they are more decomposed).

Still getting good production, can't say there is a big difference compared to first year (there is a bit).

As to if you should let it rot/freeze in the winter... hard to say, I'd think maybe put the pots in a sheltered place where it will slowly get bone dry. Letting it rot/freeze will highly accelerate compaction. I use organic fertilizer btw (manure based)., adding some in the spring and incorporating on the surface every 2 weeks or so a bit more.