# Reusing Soil Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Soil\ **Created:** [December 8, 2021, 12:45am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353 "2021-12-08T00:45:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BowHunt3r](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/bowhunt3r/32/585945_2.png) [@BowHunt3r](https://ilgmforum.com/u/BowHunt3r)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 12:45am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/1 "2021-12-08T00:45:53Z")
I just harvested my Purple Haze Auto and I want to reuse the soil for my next grow. Coast of Maine Stonington soil and amendment, with fish bone meal. My question is can I just cut the stem off just below the soil, top coat waiting 2 weeks per instructions and leave the root ball in, or should it be removed? Thank you ---
**Author:** ![dirtydave](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/dirtydave/32/626820_2.png) [@dirtydave](https://ilgmforum.com/u/dirtydave)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 12:52am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/2 "2021-12-08T00:52:21Z")
I take it out and shake it out you and mix in some worm castings and other nutrients and then put it in my vegetable garden I always use fresh soil for my indoor grows ---
**Author:** ![JaneQP](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/janeqp/32/555131_2.png) [@JaneQP](https://ilgmforum.com/u/JaneQP)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 12:58am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/3 "2021-12-08T00:58:08Z")
I’ve reused my soil leaving all the small roots in. Amend as needed. ---
**Author:** ![Flitme](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/flitme/32/716125_2.png) [@Flitme](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Flitme)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 1:51am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/4 "2021-12-08T01:51:56Z")
I have half ffhf and half FFOF. Can that be us again and if so what would you amend it with? Thank You in advance. Hope I didn’t but into this question!! ---
**Author:** ![Aussie\_autos](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/aussie_autos/32/612108_2.png) [@Aussie\_autos](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Aussie_autos)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 1:59am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/5 "2021-12-08T01:59:18Z")
I would tip out ur soil into a container get the root ball out and re amend your soil with down to earth products like bat guano volcanic rock dust and kelp meal and alfalfa meal fish bone meal and se organic compost worm castings ---
**Author:** ![dirtydave](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/dirtydave/32/626820_2.png) [@dirtydave](https://ilgmforum.com/u/dirtydave)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 2:02am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/6 "2021-12-08T02:02:26Z")
I would add some worm castings and a good dry amendment like Dr earth, gia green, coast of maine ---
**Author:** ![JaneQP](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/janeqp/32/555131_2.png) [@JaneQP](https://ilgmforum.com/u/JaneQP)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 2:35am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/7 "2021-12-08T02:35:55Z")
Keep it simple! You can top dress more amendments later. Just build a stong base soil first is my recommendation. Dr Earth 4-4-4 has been used by growers here. I use a different product now. Use the search function and you will find great soil mixes and growers that have reused soil and see what they added. I only have ~14 plants under my my grow history and try different things until I find my stride. ---
**Author:** ![kellydans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/kellydans/32/580751_2.png) [@kellydans](https://ilgmforum.com/u/kellydans)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 2:37am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/8 "2021-12-08T02:37:07Z")
I do the same reuse to grow my lattice in the spring. ![0527201528a](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/9/9/8/99856ff8f996d97a4482420395490b2ec56f731d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Cap\_Ron](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/cap_ron/32/305886_2.png) [@Cap\_Ron](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Cap_Ron)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 2:59am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/9 "2021-12-08T02:59:12Z")
I reuse my soil. I cut out the stem and the rootball, then as I break it all up I try to sift out as much of the smaller roots as I can. After the 2nd use, I do the same thing again but I add in about 25% new soil. Not only have I never had problems with reused soil, I find it works better. I know I can start feeding early, no guessing about how long the soil will support them. ---
**Author:** ![Mrcrabs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/mrcrabs/32/207871_2.png) [@Mrcrabs](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Mrcrabs)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 7:10am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/10 "2021-12-08T07:10:40Z")
I’d leave the rootball … if you didn’t have any issues with your grow you’ve already got beneficial fungi and microbes established in your root zone… I’ve grown in three gallon pots no till style and have had better results second and third grows ---
**Author:** ![Mrcrabs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/mrcrabs/32/207871_2.png) [@Mrcrabs](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Mrcrabs)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 2:39pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/11 "2021-12-08T14:39:22Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/5/f/7/5f7af6c76f2ea99689a6dbdc767715c27a4b7959.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/8/9/e/89e102608a41d52437922f2bd28840c9bfa6a8c0.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/5/e/c/5ec93173fe98c480c600b3cbe2dde6ec51fb96cf.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![BowHunt3r](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/bowhunt3r/32/585945_2.png) [@BowHunt3r](https://ilgmforum.com/u/BowHunt3r)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 2:42pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/12 "2021-12-08T14:42:35Z")
Thank you all for the information. Growing is about experimenting so will leave it in and see what happens. Have a great day! ---
**Author:** ![Mrcrabs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/mrcrabs/32/207871_2.png) [@Mrcrabs](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Mrcrabs)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/13 "2021-12-08T15:21:36Z")
Good deal my friend… experimental grows will give you the knowledge on how far you can push your soil before adding amendments… and that soil your using consist of the same basic ingredients that I have in my own mix … good luck …💨💨 ---
**Author:** ![sandune](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/sandune/32/623004_2.png) [@sandune](https://ilgmforum.com/u/sandune)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 3:37pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/14 "2021-12-08T15:37:00Z")
I took my used soil and mixed it 50/50 with new Stonington Blend just last night. Filled 5 gallon bags 80% full with the mix and 2 5 gallon bags 80% with new Stonington. Gonna run a test using autos. 2 Cream Caramel and 2 Cherry Pie - 1 each in each soil. I’ll be top dressing the mixed soil with new soil as the grow goes - and using COM organic nuts, fish bone meal, worm casts as scheduled. Also will be using teas throughout. I will be doing a detailed journal… ---
**Author:** ![Perry16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@Perry16](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Perry16)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 5:59am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/15 "2021-12-10T05:59:07Z")
What do you guys add to used soil to aid in old root decomposition? ---
**Author:** ![Storm](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/storm/32/1066086_2.png) [@Storm](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Storm)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2022, 3:06pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/16 "2022-01-13T15:06:45Z")
I have always reused my soil. I have a couple bins with lids. I shake or work most soil off rootball and toss it. Now with earth dust old soil cooks while new plants growing. Seems to be working. ---
**Author:** ![Slug\_Life](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/slug_life/32/432911_2.png) [@Slug\_Life](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Slug_Life)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2022, 2:23am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/17 "2022-01-14T02:23:57Z")
I just use worms and hope they assist in decomposition and or digesting the root material. But I am one of those guys that never digs up the rootball. I just chopped my fall cover crop. Usually by spring I never encounter anything to make me think the roots are still around. And I want my soil to absorb the nutes from the biomass. I only grow from seed- to disturb the soil barely. SL out. ---
**Author:** ![Blaze\_Up\_Ahab](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/blaze_up_ahab/32/897942_2.png) [@Blaze\_Up\_Ahab](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Blaze_Up_Ahab)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/18 "2023-10-15T19:01:06Z")
@Mrcrabs — That is cRaZY! I’m going to try this. I would imagine that as the roots breakdown they also add nutrition to the soil in the second and third grows. ---
**Author:** ![MidwestGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/midwestguy/32/914277_2.png) [@MidwestGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/MidwestGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/19 "2023-10-15T19:03:22Z")
MrCrabs hasn’t been on the site since January 2022. ---
**Author:** ![Blaze\_Up\_Ahab](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/blaze_up_ahab/32/897942_2.png) [@Blaze\_Up\_Ahab](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Blaze_Up_Ahab)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353/20 "2023-10-15T19:05:13Z")
@MidwestGuy — Thank you! I just read that post and thought I’d comment. Sigh. [Next page](https://ilgmforum.com/t/reusing-soil-question/79353.md?page=2)