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Sterile soil?

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Kittyfang Joined: 8/23/2007 Location: Posts: 74	Posted: Sep/13/2007 12:35 PM PST I see that a lot of instructions regarding gardening require "sterile soil". I may not be using the right word, but they usually are referring to a soil that doesn't have any germs. I'm just wondering if this is silly or if I should expect the gardening police at my door if I don't use that ind of soil. Quote \| Reply \| Report

treeman Joined: 3/29/2002 Location: Posts: 2874	Posted: Sep/13/2007 1:48 PM PST The concept of sterile soil is soil free of viable weed seeds and plant harmful fungi, bacteria or virus (germ free as you say). It is easier said than done. Most soiless media, virgin peat/bark/vermiculite/perlite mixes are usually sterile. If the mix contains any real soil it would need to be sterilized using eat or chemical means..... very difficult proposition to gain complete sterility. To be honest complete sterility can be counter productive as many soil born bacteria and fungi are actually benificial for plant growth. They form symbiotic relationships with plant roots that enhance the plants ability to extract and absorb nutrients from the soil. Such fungi are call Mycorizzae (sp?). An example of a beneficial bacteria is the nitrobactre that 'parisitizes legume roots and creates usable nitrogen in the soil. If you feel you must sterilize soil you can heat it in an oven to 180 degrees which will eliminate nearly all weed seeds and most harmful fungi. Quote \| Reply \| Report

Kittyfang Joined: 8/23/2007 Location: Posts: 74	Posted: Sep/13/2007 2:03 PM PST Wow that's very informative! Thank you very much. I don't think I'd sterilize it myself. I usually buy my soil at Lowes and places like tht. I don't think I'll have any trouble! Quote \| Reply \| Report

bluethumb Joined: 5/13/2007 Location: Central North NJ Posts: 96	Posted: Sep/14/2007 3:08 PM PST Treeman is correct in that heating the soil will kill everything in the mix, which you can then call it sterile. I sterilize all my soil mix, which I use for indoor use and for starting seeds (don’t want any foreign seed sprouting next to the seeds that I planted). The same hold true for a compost pile to a point, the heat generated will break down the material but will kill most of seed and some of the bacteria. As for killing all the bacteria which is beneficial for plant growth, in due time they will come back through the air and water (not chlorinated tap water). In due time you will be weeding the surface. Quote \| Reply \| Report

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