How to Store Potting Soil: DIY Ideas With Practical Steps

Do you have leftover potting soil after planting? In this case, knowing how to store potting soil is crucial to keep soil fresh, healthy, and fertile.

Potting soil contains essential nutrients compared to common soil, making it delicate. So, potting soil preservation is very crucial to protect it from moisture, air, and bad seasonal situations, which destroy nutrients and affect plant growth in the next season or when you use it.

Whether you have extra potting soil or want to store whole bulk for the next growing season (Spring and summer), the following tips will work for both.

However, the potting soil storage container for each (extra and bulk) may vary soil amount. Want to store common bulk garden soil? Here’s discover what I have learned about storing bulk garden soil.

Let’s learn how to store potting soil effectively!

What is Potting Soil & Why Storing Important?

Potting soil is a mixture of special types of soil that provide important nutrients to plants, especially for growing plants indoors in containers and pots.

Potting soil is not heavy like common soil. It is light and retains water well due to peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, coco coir, etc. These materials convey nutrients and oxygen to plants’ roots.

Since potting soil already contains vital nutrients, it is more likely to be useless for plants, particularly if it’s not stored properly. Extreme moisture, air, temperature, and other environmental factors may cause fungus and decrease its nutrients.

Learning how to store potting soil became crucial for gardener who mostly used potting soil for their indoor plants.

Potting soil preservation is not just about ease but also useful for maintaining the health and freshness of the soil, and the nutrient ingredients and microbial process, so that it can be used for a long time in gardening.

How Microbial Systems Remained Safe Through Proper Soil Maintenance

• Too much wet or too dry soil can stop and damage microbial growth. Therefore, sealed containers or airtight bags are always recommended for storing soil.
• Extreme or lower temperature ranges also affect soil health and microorganism growth. The ideal temp range is around 50 to 70F (10 to 21C) for soil storage.
• Microbes may die in direct sunlight, evaporating moisture in the soil. So, always keep soil away from direct sun rays.

If potting soil is kept for a long time in airtight containers and bags, air circulation can affect the soil microbial growth. So, to prevent this, skip a little space above the container or bag while storing soil. Or open the lid of the container after some weeks to shake it.

Beyond microbial affection in soil due to improper storage, high humidity can lead to mold or fungus disease. Additionally, pests like bugs and other insects can also attack, decreasing the soil nutrients and making it dull for next use.

Can I Really Benefit From Storing Potting Soil?

Some gardeners agree that fresh potting soil should be purchased only when needed; it can be their own preference. Storing some extra potting soil is a wise and incredible decision if you are an amateur and frequent gardener.

Imagine you suddenly want to grow a plant, or your kids want to do a planting activity. In this situation, you can easily start your plan or kids’ activity at once without any emergency buying, if you familiar about how to store potting soil.

How to tore Potting Soil?

Step 1: Dry the soil (wet soil invites fungus)

If potting soil feels heavy and sticky, it may be wet. So, the first step in how to store potting soil is drying it because if wet soil is kept in a sealed container, it can grow mold, develop bad odor, and lose its nutrients.

How to dry potting soil?

1. Spread the thin layer of potting soil on the plastic sheet or tarpaulin.
2. Keep it in a well-ventilated place with sunlight and breeze.
3. Stir the soil periodically to evenly distribute the moisture.
4. When the soil becomes light and fluffy, it is ready to store.
5. It usually takes two days or one day, depending on the climate and temperature.

Step 2: Remove damaged roots or old plant pieces.

If it contains old roots or plant debris, it will start to rot in the soil, which can lead to the development of bacteria and insects that can damage the soil.

1. Remove the old and damaged roots, plant fragments, and debris from the potting soil, so that the soil does not become diseased.
2. Break the soil clumps with your hand or gardening tools to make it airy and usable.
3. I always clean my potting soil by hand or sieve and collect all materials in my bucket to dispose of them easily.
4. If plant fragments are healthy, I use them in the compost bin to make a natural fertilizer for garden beds.

Step 3: Disinfect the soil (Optional)

If you suspect that your soil has any pests or diseases, put the soil in a baking tray and bake it at 180F for 30 minutes, or in a large pot, add water until the water bubbles, then spread it out in the sun and let it dry completely. Here’s how to sterilize potting soil?

Step 4: Choose the Right Material (Airtight container)

The right material is the basement in the concept of how to store potting soil for proper storage of potting soil.

Many experts recommend airtight containers to store potting soil. You may be wondering, but these containers are very useful because they do not allow air to pass into the soil, protecting the potting soil from moisture, pests, and disease.

What are the properties of airtight containers? An airtight container does not enter the air and leaves in the potting soil. Its special seal or rubber gasket on the lid completely seals the container.

Many companies like Rubbermaid, Sterilite, and Brute offer the best quality of airtight containers. You can buy online easily on Google or go directly to any brand’s online or local store.

Note: The size of the airtight container for potting soil depends on the soil amount that is leftoverr extra. Offcourse, it’s your choice!

DIY Methods to Store Potting Soil

But to be honest, I don’t like buying expensive containers every time.

That’s when I get into DIY mode! Old buckets, plastic tubs, old feed and grain bags, and even old garbage containers, anything will work, as long as the lid is closed tightly and placed in a dry and cool place.

Another great trick is to put a plastic bag inside the container, and the soil will stay even more protected.

Step 5: Wash the Material if needed and dry it properly

Wash the materail that you are using (containers, buckets, and plastic bins) and let them dry out completely. You can also use a bleach solution (1 part bleach, 9 parts water) for cleaning.

However, there is no need to wash any tote cloth or grain bags. Just pour the potting soil and place it above the ground after tie with strong rope or zip lock.

Where to Store Potting Soil

Choosing the right place for soil storage is the fundamental step in how to store potting soil.

1. Select a garage, storage room, or a dry corner for enough indoor space.
2. Store it in a place protected from rain and harsh weather, such as under a shed or canopy.
3. Keep the soil bags above the ground, upright, and tie them tightly. You can use a pallet or shelf to prevent moisture from getting on the bottom.
4. If using plastic containers, bins, or kitchen jars, close their lids tightly and place them in a dry and cool place.
5. Skip the little space above the container or bag so that air circulation can improve.

Always select dry, cool and shaded areas and avoid direct sunlight as it causes dryness and loss of soil nutrients.

Additional Tips to Store Potting Soil

After understanding all practical steps in how to store potting soil, here are some other tips you need to follow for maintaining soil quality.

• Place silica gel packets or small pieces of charcoal in the stored soil, if possible. It evaporates moisture on its own.
• Label the date on each container, bag, or jar to use old soil first.
• Freezer ziplock bags are best for small amounts of soil. They protect against air and moisture.
• Place a small cup of baking soda or rice in the clay container to absorb excess moisture.
• If you have a vacuum sealer, you can use it to preserve the soil for a long time.
• Do not place the soil where water is likely to fall, such as in bathrooms, kitchens, or rain areas.
• Place a few drops of peppermint oil or lemon peels near the container to keep insects away.

If you have a little workspace, try to use a workbench by buying from any official service like Pinnacle Bunnings, or local service.

FAQ’s about How to Store Potting Soil

Alizy

Hi there! I’m Alizy, and I’ve studied horticulture at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. I love gardening and have learned a lot about growing healthy plants and creating beautiful green spaces over the years. I’m excited to share my tips and experiences with you 😊!