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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: gunnerbee on January 08, 2008, 23:33:06

Title: A bit eccentric i know.. but how long do i sterilize soil for.....
Post by: gunnerbee on January 08, 2008, 23:33:06
in my oven   ;D ;D ;D ;D and what temperature please, thanks in advance for any answers.
Title: Re: A bit eccentric i know.. but how long do i sterilize soil for.....
Post by: springbok on January 08, 2008, 23:37:15
Found this on the net... hope it helps
http://www.ehow.com/how_2060243_sterilize-potting-soil.html (http://www.ehow.com/how_2060243_sterilize-potting-soil.html)
Title: Re: A bit eccentric i know.. but how long do i sterilize soil for.....
Post by: Baccy Man on January 08, 2008, 23:41:13
That method works well but bear in mind it really does stink so open up all doors & windows.
Title: Re: A bit eccentric i know.. but how long do i sterilize soil for.....
Post by: Amazin on January 08, 2008, 23:43:03
Jungle Seeds recommends using the microwave - put compost in a mixing bowl and zap it for 10 mins on high.

I found the whiff quite rich and... er... earthy!
Title: Re: A bit eccentric i know.. but how long do i sterilize soil for.....
Post by: gunnerbee on January 08, 2008, 23:48:46
whoops i think i may have boiled it !!! anyway im sure it will be o.k  LOL, anyway thanks guys for all the info. and as for the smell, its sooo nice!! or am i the only one thst thinks this?
Title: Re: A bit eccentric i know.. but how long do i sterilize soil for.....
Post by: star on January 09, 2008, 00:42:19
Oh it stinks!!!!!!! I did that last year and tried lavender and rosemary cuttings in it....lost the lot
Title: Re: A bit eccentric i know.. but how long do i sterilize soil for.....
Post by: jennym on January 09, 2008, 05:03:43
Not eccentric at all, very cost effective if like me you don't use many pots of compost. I take sieved garden soil, put it in an old plastic pot (big enough to just fit into the microwave) and cook on full power for 7 minutes. The soil gets very hot, so either let it cool in the microwave or wear gloves when taking it out. Works a treat. The smell is brilliant  ;D
Title: Re: A bit eccentric i know.. but how long do i sterilize soil for.....
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on January 09, 2008, 08:14:05
I used to cook it till steam was rising. It was quite whiffy - not too unpleasantly so - and it worked well.
Title: Re: A bit eccentric i know.. but how long do i sterilize soil for.....
Post by: Rhubarb Thrasher on January 09, 2008, 09:15:19
for me, 6 minutes in the microwave, covered with clingfilm. Make sure the compost is damp to increase the heating effect. Mind you I always water in seeds with a copper fugicide too, just to make sure
Title: Re: A bit eccentric i know.. but how long do i sterilize soil for.....
Post by: Susiebelle on January 10, 2008, 00:41:23
Just wanted to say thanks for this thread I have been using microwave but wandered why I was still getting weed seeds  :o obviously not zapping fr long enough many thanks