The Free Way To Get Rid Of Old Potting Soil (& Help Others In The Process)

Whether you're repotting your house plants, preparing your garden for a new season, or disposing of dead plants, a common question often arises, especially for new gardeners: What should be done with the old soil? Luckily, you can do just about anything with it to avoid throwing it out. For example, you can give old potting soil new life (and nourishment) by mixing it with your compost or use it to fill holes in your yard. Or, use it to top off your raised garden beds, adding it on top of fresh soil and lightly mixing in the old with the new on the surface. If you don't need it, though, you can also help others with your old soil without spending a dime. 

The saying, "One person's trash is another's treasure," certainly applies to soil, and donating old potting soil is a great way to make your gardening practices more sustainable. If you're wondering whether your potting soil is worth donating, chances are, it is. Just about any soil can be upcycled, with two important caveats: if the soil was home to a plant with a serious pest problem, or if the plant was diseased. In those cases, it's best to lay the soil to rest for good.

There are tons of people and organizations ready to accept your donated potting soil, the key is just knowing where to look. One easy place to start is to search for local garden groups online. Composters will often gladly take old soil to work in with their heap, and other gardeners can use the extra soil for myriad purposes. More generalized 'freecycle' online groups are often a treasure trove full of people who want to put your discards to good use, including potting soil. Schools are another great option, as they may welcome the soil for science experiments or their student gardens. Just think of the exponential contribution to sustainability you can make by donating old potting soil so young minds can learn about the plant life cycle — and who knows, it may even sprout a love of gardening in the next generation.

It's also worth checking to see if your city offers community yard waste drop-off programs. These most often occur in the fall (and are a great option to get rid of the season's leaves), and commercial composting companies will collect and process the waste. A community garden is another idea, just be sure to reach out to the facilitator first to see if they accept old soil. Before you give it away, consider sifting your soil using a Dollar Tree trash bin for a frugal way to 'clean' the soil of old roots and unwanted debris so it's ready for its new home.