Potting soil, whether from the supermarket or garden center, is very often interspersed with undesirable soil organisms. If you then pot your flowers in this soil, after a while a swarm of fungus gnats may fly through the living room. It doesn't have to be.

Five minutes in the microwave is enough and all life on earth is dead

The potting soil is alive

Microorganisms and soil critters are usually important for good soil, but only when used outside in the garden. Worms, mosquito larvae and the like are welcome here, because they feed on dead plant parts and excrete important nutrients in their faeces that can be used by the plants.
There is not enough space in the flower pot or in the small planter for a large number of soil creatures. They cannot feed themselves or only insufficiently. So they start eating the roots of the potted plants. The plants die after a short time.
In the living area, it is therefore advantageous to use sterile potting soil. This has the advantage that no more pests are present.

Sterilize potting soil yourself

Before you pay a lot of money for germ-free potting soil in the garden store, it is better to put up with a little more work and sterilize your potting soil yourself. This process requires heat, which kills mites, larvae, bacteria and fungi.

The oven or microwave are best suited for sterilization.

Sanitize in the microwave

The microwave is particularly suitable for small portions of potting soil. It achieves the necessary heat and works quickly.

  1. First you need a flat container that is suitable for the microwave.
  2. Put in the soil to be treated.
  3. Moisten the soil. Take a little soil in your hand and press it together. No water should leak out.
  4. Turn the device to the highest level.
  5. Heat the soil for about 5 to 10 minutes.
  6. Turn the soil halfway through.
  7. Let the earth cool down before using it further.

Since the microwave generates temperatures of over 100 degrees at the highest level, you can be sure that mould, bacteria, larvae and worms have been killed. If you don't use the sterilized soil immediately, store it in an airtight container to prevent new soil organisms from getting inside.

Category:

Care tips