By autumn at the latest, when the beautiful balcony plants or annual flowers on the terrace have faded, the question arises as to where to put the potting soil? Small leftovers end up in the normal residual waste, but it becomes problematic with the larger planters. Local regulations may have to be observed.
Potting soil can be disposed of in the compost or processed
Disposal of old potting soil
Potting soil that is no longer needed can be disposed of in small quantities in the residual waste bin. Larger amounts go into the organic waste bin, if available. However, it is important to ensure that there are no plastic residues. Regional regulations must be observed in any case.
Potting soil that is contaminated with bacteria or vermin should definitely be disposed of in the residual waste. If they were used in the garden, the pests would spread unhindered and cause even greater damage.
However, one must not think that old potting soil is "waste", on the contrary. Although the earth is depleted, it can be revived. Therefore, it makes more sense to dispose of the soil in the garden. It can be sprinkled over the garden soil and worked in or used on the compost. On the compost heap, the old soil immediately becomes part of the decomposition cycle and is enriched with nutrients again. After some time it can be used again.
Continue to use potting soil
Although the potting soil contains little or no nutrients, it can be used in other ways. Some examples:
- use old potting soil for mulching. A layer of mulch protects against excessive dehydration and suppresses weeds
- protect the roses from the winter cold with old potting soil
- mixed with leaves, lawn clippings, straw and twigs, old potting soil forms the basis for the winter quarters of mice and hedgehogs
- old potting soil can be used to isolate potted plants from the effects of frost
- old potting soil is further decomposed on the compost and converted into usable soil
Prepare potting soil
Instead of taking larger quantities of old potting soil to the materials yard or disposing of it in the organic waste bin, it can be processed with little effort. The incorporation of biological long-term fertilizer (horn shavings, (32.93€) horn meal) or a soil activator (primeval rock meal, algae and microorganisms) bring the old soil back into balance.