Hey everyone! I'm not really experienced with planting or repotting, and I've found that even a 6-quart bag of potting soil tends to mold before I can use it all up. I've already wasted half of two bags, which is frustrating. Does anyone have tips on how to deal with this issue? Thank you!
2 Answers
Mold doesn't mean your soil is bad; it just shows it's getting moist and has good organic content. I keep my soil mix (with perlite) in a Home Depot bucket with a loose lid. It gets a bit moist, but no mold develops. You might want to try mixing your own potting soil in bulk and storing it in a tub or bucket to avoid waste.
You can actually sanitize your potting soil by spreading it on trays and baking it in the oven. But keep in mind, the mold isn't necessarily harmful; it just indicates moisture and organic matter. Just because you see mold doesn't mean you should throw it out right away!