• If you need help identifying a pepper, disease, or plant issue, please post in Identification.

media What to do with used expensive media

YAMracer754

YAMracer754

So, I have spent many $$ and hours creating all these badass custom medias for my containers and looking to retire some plants in order to create room for other stuff more priority, and wondering how to repurpose or reuse the media that I know has tons of life left.. Got coir, castings, composted+sifted PBF, etc, etc basically the works and the bombdiggity! But would feel a shame to just throw it out or even to the garden.. Any ideas /experiences /tips?

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
 
You re-use it, of course.  If you've got mixes with coir and pine bark, it's easily good for 4 seasons, and more, if you properly rejuvenate it.  

Next season, you cut it with 30% new mix.  After a few seasons, you recycle it all into raised beds, and begin to re-use it forever.
 
solid7 said:
You re-use it, of course.  If you've got mixes with coir and pine bark, it's easily good for 4 seasons, and more, if you properly rejuvenate it.  
Next season, you cut it with 30% new mix.  After a few seasons, you recycle it all into raised beds, and begin to re-use it forever.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I knew it would definitely be good for several more runs-at least!
Where should I put it and how should I process it as far as separating from root mass, sterilizing, etc?

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
 
YAMracer754 said:
Yeah, I knew it would definitely be good for several more runs-at least!
Where should I put it and how should I process it as far as separating from root mass, sterilizing, etc?

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Yep, I re-use my mix as well. I have been doing basically what solid said, adding about 30% fresh mix each season.

I just pull the old plants out and any larger roots that may have broke off and still be in the soil. Then dump it all out on a tarp in the yard, mix it up and chop up the finer roots with a shovel while mixing. Then I add in the new mix and continue mixing. After that, it goes back in the pots. I've never sterilized any yet, but it does get down to about 30f below zero by me in the winter occasionally, so I think that kills off any nasties.
 
YAMracer754 said:
Yeah, I knew it would definitely be good for several more runs-at least!
Where should I put it and how should I process it as far as separating from root mass, sterilizing, etc?
Click to expand...
 
I don't sterilize my mixes. (never had a problem with fusarium, verticilium, etc - and rich organic mixes keep nematodes away)  In fact, I just pull the roots, mix new, re-pot.  For the job, I mix in plastic drywall/mortar tubs.  You can get them at any big box store.  There's a small and a large size.  2 of the large will do the job.  Or you can throw down tarp.  I don't like working on tarps, but that's just personal preference.
 
If you dump the stuff into raised beds after a few years, it is now considered soil, and you never touch it again.  Just top dress it with recycled mix, as available, and go to no-till.
 
U)<now said:
Yep, I re-use my mix as well. I have been doing basically what solid said, adding about 30% fresh mix each season.

I just pull the old plants out and any larger roots that may have broke off and still be in the soil. Then dump it all out on a tarp in the yard, mix it up and chop up the finer roots with a shovel while mixing. Then I add in the new mix and continue mixing. After that, it goes back in the pots. I've never sterilized any yet, but it does get down to about 30f below zero by me in the winter occasionally, so I think that kills off any nasties.
Click to expand...
So since I have a winter to go thru at the end of the season, are you saying that you preprepare your containers and let em chill until ready to use next season? After adding the 1/3 new mix? Or do you let the filtered stuff store over the winter and mix it up and fill containers next season?

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
 
YAMracer754 said:
So since I have a winter to go thru at the end of the season, are you saying that you preprepare your containers and let em chill until ready to use next season? After adding the 1/3 new mix? Or do you let the filtered stuff store over the winter and mix it up and fill containers next season?

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I pull the old plants, and leave the old media in the containers over winter until spring, then about a week before I plan on potting out, I dump the old media onto the tarp and mix in the new stuff.
 
I leave mine in the pots too. I just cover them to limit any unwanted seeds getting in the pots. Early spring i dump it all on the patio. Mix in some fresh mulch compost and Jobes 4-4-2 compost starter. Then cover it in a breathable weed barrier fabric. If we get a bunch of heavy rain i use a tarp until the rains ease up.
 
ShowMeDaSauce said:
I leave mine in the pots too. I just cover them to limit any unwanted seeds getting in the pots. Early spring i dump it all on the patio. Mix in some fresh mulch compost and Jobes 4-4-2 compost starter. Then cover it in a breathable weed barrier fabric. If we get a bunch of heavy rain i use a tarp until the rains ease up.
Click to expand...
Sounds like hell of a plan! Thanks so much! Yeah even if I move (I gotta get outta here this rural lowbrow mentality Tennessee vs where I was raised is killing me, ntm the lack of education) it'll allow me an avenue to take my stuff with me!

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top