Sterilising soil.

[Growbe]

It is that time of year when the seeds packets are being ripped open. Now just like wine making or brewing having clean containers and utensils is important.

To make sure all my pots are clean I give them a quick burst in the microwave after washing. I cannot remember where I heard the tip other than it came from a radio or TV show. Anyway they also suggested a quick microwave burst for soil from the compost bin if you are using it for seeds.

This all sounds reasonable to me :)

My question is has anyone else heard of this or can remind me of the show where it was mentioned, or even better is anyone else using a microwave for gardening :)

[Growbe]

[sandersj89]

I have heard of the microwave technique as well. I think Bob Flowerdew advocates it.

There are a few links that talk about it as well.

http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Soil/sterile.htm

http://www.chem.stevens.edu/Microbiology_Lab/Research/Anti-Bioterrorism/Review_Sterilization.doc

HTH

Jerry

[grawrc]

I sterilise jam jars in the microwave. I think it seems like the same principle.

[sandersj89]

The smell of hot compost in the kitchen might upset the lady of the house though!

Jerry

[Curryandchips]

Yes, while the principle is sound on technical grounds, domestic harmony is likely to be a problem with me too, since I am criticised for bring muddy boots through the kitchen.

[kenkew]

Yeah! But doesn't Jayes Fluid smell great. (Supposed to be a sterizer but ..phew, strong stuff).

[grawrc]

I AM the lady of the house goddamit! >:( >:(
Allotment rules ! OK? ;) ;D ;D

[Rose.mary]

I don't think it would be so good for the horse manure I want to sterilize. Think I will stick to Jeyes. Trouble is I know it will kill the worms, and there seems to be a lot of little red ones in there.

Rosemary

[grawrc]

I can just see you sitting round the kitchen table as the horse manure "cures" in the microwave. "Mmmm, lovely bouquet! South side of the stable would you say?" ;D ;D 8) ;D ;D

[Growbe]

Thanks for the links Jerry

Actually no joking here - last weekend I was planting seeds into trays, with a bag of compost, pots, trays etc all across the kitchen worktops.

My dear wife did not say a thing but the look sent a very loud message. ;D

She hates this time of year as every window sill will have a propagator or seed tray on it

[delboy]

You lucky so-and-sos.

I have to do all my potting outside after I covered the conservatory furniture and floor with potting compost last year.

It's sooo cold...

[jennym]

I really wouldn't use Jeyes fluid at all. But then my views are well known...
However, I do use the microwave, frequently, to sterilise soil for use in pots and with seeds. I use a pot that fits in the microwave with a little room to spare, fill with moist soil, previously sieved to remove any large creatures, and cook on full power for 7 minutes. It works.

[Doris_Pinks]

I think I heard somewhere you can use a wallpaper steam stripper to sterilize, could take the end bit off and use the pipe for pots, and I guess trays of soil could be done with the end gadget on! 8)
My pots go in the dishwasher, sterilised soil in the oven once, the smell was, errrrr  interesting! :-X

[Robert_Brenchley]

A wallpaper stripper will sterilise anything. You can fit one to a plastic bucket or bin to make a steam wax melter (something I need badly, if only occasionally) and the same sort of setup would also work as a steriliser.

[Sheona]

Well, it was me (the lady of the house  ;D) getting into trouble last night for the state of the kitchen - pots, newspapers laid out, compost in micro/on floor/in sink/everywhere!, seed packets scattered and me tramping said compost through the whole house??? My husband wasn't too amused to say the least, but hey, there was a genius at work  :) ;) ;D Just managed to get the smell of compost out of kitchen now using a whole can of Oust!!!

Anyway, the compost was lovely and crumbly, quite a fine texture so here's hoping the wee seeds grow now...