Marianne's Response
Can Old Potting Soil Be Used in Compost?
Hello Ms. Binetti
I’m new to composting and have what I think is a unique question. I have a few planters on my porch that I grew marigolds in last year. If I agitate the potting soil they were in, it has a bad smell. My question is, can that potting soil be used when starting a compost tumbler? If so, what adjustments should be made to correct the bad smell?
Thanks in Advance,
Harold
Posted by Harold Fontana on April 23, 2020
Marianne's Response
Good question, and the answer is yes, you can use the old potting soil, which is most likely smelly due to being waterlogged from winter rains. Just be sure to add some brown leaves, grass clippings, and other garden refuse to the compost pile or tumbler as well to help break down the waterlogged and dry materials into great compost. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti
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