Potting soil is also reusable and compostable, and
while durable hydroponic media does not compost in
the traditional way, it can be run through the process
alongside organic material to form a pre-amended
compost material.
Even some questionable media can be salvaged
though a process known as soil solarization—gnats in
particular can be successfully treated with this method.
Higher temperatures...will
semi-sterilize the media
within a few hours, killing
most friendly and pathogenic
microflora alike.
Place the media in a closed black plastic garbage bag
and cover with a clear plastic tarp tent. Allow to sit in
the summer sun for several days. Internal temperatures
can be checked with a compost thermometer. Peak
temperatures of over 120ºF for a couple of weeks is
hot enough to kill many weed seeds and garden pests.
Higher temperatures (160ºF is often easily obtained in
sunny areas) will semi-sterilize the media within a few
hours, killing most friendly and pathogenic microflora
alike. Media semi-sterilized in this method should have
beneficial bacteria and fungi reintroduced after treatment, or mixed with inoculated soil before use.
Indeed, adding additional nutrients and other enhancements to the composed media can improve the
quality of the media and reduce the amount of additional nutrients that will have to be added during the
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