I've got some hydrated coco coir that's been sitting in my garage for the last two years in a sealed Home Depot bucket. I just opened it up, and it looks fine—no weird smells or mold, just looks like dirt. Is it safe to use for starting plants, or should I buy a new brick instead?
2 Answers
Old soil can lose its nutrients and might have infection risks, but for seed starting, it’s usually fine since seeds come with their own nutrients. I’ve had seedlings thrive in used potting mix that had a bit of moss growing on it! If it looks good, just go for it, but maybe plant a few extra seeds to be safe.
I’d be a little cautious with that old coir. If you have another brick handy, it might be best to use that instead. The old stuff can just go in your compost or garden to be safe.