Don't Throw Out Old Potting Soil When It Could Transform Your Lawn, Here's How

Got divots, holes, or bare spots in your lawn, and some old potting soil lying around? Problem, meet solution. Among the smart ways to improve your lawn without spending a dime is to recycle old potting soil to fill these blemishes in your lawn. Even lawns that don't have these issues can benefit from used potting mix as a topdressing, especially when mixed with organic material. Gardeners often use topdressing to improve soil structure.

You may wonder how safe it is to reuse old potting soil. Used potting soil is generally safe unless it was previously used for plants infected with fungi, viruses, or bacteria. Some gardeners sterilize potting soil to be on the safe side. One sterilization method that's shown to be effective is solarization, in which the sun radiates on plastic sheeting placed over the soil. You could also pasteurize it by heating a pan of potting soil in your oven to 180 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

Because the potting mix will have lost some nutrients during its previous use, it's not a bad idea to add up to 50% organic material, such as compost, to the mix before using the potting soil for lawn repairs. Other amendments to consider if you have them on hand include perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss. You'll want to remove any plant or other debris from the mix. Check for any insects, dead or alive, and get rid of them. Then, loosen the soil thoroughly by turning it over multiple times and breaking apart any compacted sections. Finally, fluff the soil with a spading fork to aerate it.

To fix your lawn imperfections, take your recycled potting mix and use a shovel or trowel to either fill in the divots or cover the bare spots. Then, tamp the soil down with your feet. Regularly repairing your lawn with old potting soil is an inexpensive yet simple habit to keep your lawn lush and well-manicured.