For planting flowers, prepared potting soil is often bought in stores, where it is offered in large bags of several liters. But only rarely is the whole quantity needed at once. How to save the rest for later?

Potting soil should be stored dry and cool

How long does potting soil last?

A general shelf life cannot be specified for potting soil. The mixtures offered on the market differ too much from one another for this. Storage conditions also play an important role in shelf life, although some of them are difficult to influence.

In general, young soil is best because the nutrient composition is still ideal. Nevertheless, an opened sack of earth does not have to perish. Under optimal conditions, the potting soil can also be used at a later date, or at least used as an admixture.

You can keep the earth for six months without hesitation. However, a period of several years is not feasible without serious quality losses.

Where can you store potting soil?

Opened potting soil as well as whole sacks are best stored in a cool and dry place where they are protected from the weather and pest infestation. The following locations are suitable:

  • unheated basement
  • Garden and tool shed
  • Greenhouse, but only in winter -> alternatively protective boxes

If soil can only be left outdoors, it should at least be sheltered under a canopy.

This is how the earth is properly preserved

Don't dump the soil in a heap, as pests from the surrounding area will quickly take hold. Leave the potting soil in its original packaging and close it with clips. This way no weed seeds can get lost inside.

Avoid fluctuating temperatures

Extreme heat and fluctuating temperatures do not have a good effect on the quality of the earth. Two disadvantages can be expected:

  • Mold is spreading
  • Nitrogen fertilizer degrades faster

Don't worry about frosty temperatures, the potting soil tolerates them well.

Freshen soil before use

Loss of quality due to long storage is almost unavoidable. But with a few simple steps, the potting soil can be easily refreshed.

  • dried out substrate is moistened
  • moist cactus soil must dry in the sun
  • Compost or horn shavings (32.93€) compensate for nutrient losses

tips

Heavy-duty plants need plenty of nutrients. For this use case, the old soil can be upgraded with well-dosed mineral fertilizers.

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Vegetable garden