waxed dirt from potting soil

[musher]

Did anyone ever make waxed dirt using those 25 litre bags of potting soil?

[Steve Gappa]

Never made waxed dirt out of it, but I have dried it in the oven and used in one year I ran out. Worked fine.

[musher]

At a buck for 25 litres, about 5 gallons, it's inexpensive. It's all presifted, no trash, and it would blend in nicely with forest duff.

Some brands seem drier than others. Also some have compost mixed in. I wonder if there would be a smell factor?

[trappnman]

Compost is dirt. Most potting soils are made at least part from compost- don't kow really if there are any that do not.

Stay away from soils that have added items such as fertilizers and the smell shouldn't be a probelm. I had no digging when I used it.

[Stef]

I cannot see why it cannot works.
Watch for mold and "humidity bag smell" before drying it.

I'll experiment with real sandy soil in couple weeks ( just a little experimentation batch)... Think will be a mess but wanna see and try something....LoL

[markymark]

Some of the dirt that is bagged is from enviormental clean ups. There are several places here in the US that does this. It is brought in from cleanups, the dirt is baked to the point everything is burned off, layed out in strips and turned every few days like a mulch center does with leaves. Once that dirt passes as clean it's mixed with compost and other natural materials in tub grinders. Tested again. Here where I am located the local towns will give you as much compost made up from leaves, wood..... as you want, but you never know what your getting. It's amzing what a tub grinder can do, but once you inspect it in your hands you'll be surprised at how much plastic, glass and other non natural junk is in there.
Sounds like a great idea but it's going to be a crapshoot in the fall.

[musher]

I doubt that a "Made in Quebec" potting soil will have trash
BUT if is does I don't really see tiny pieces of plastic or glass being a problem. There's lots of sand here so the glass is covered. Plastic/wax = petroleum distallate so probably no problem there either.

Thank you, everyone, for the replies.

[musher]

Time to eat crow. After MM's post I got a little curious and opened a half dozen bags. I found the crap he described. (no glass but plastic garbage bag stuff.)

I'm going to have to think this over some more.

[thebeav2]

Go out and dig your own dirt and you won't have this problem.

[Stef]

99.9% natural ;D ;D ;D

[zone 9]

some potting soil ive seen has vermiculite or some kind of filler added.

[trappnman]

Just look at the label- 100% compost or humus- good to go.

[trappermike220]

I picked up a bag to play around with last fall as soon as I opened the bag I knew i would have problems. It said natural but it sure smelled like some chemicals were in there, I think I willl just do it the old fashioned way... a good old shovel and a bucket...

[mike692]

zone 9, you're right about vermiculite. But I believe that it occurs naturally. So it shouldn't be a problem.
I wouldn't bother with peat or potting soil to be honest. I can get pre-sifted top soil here for around twenty bucks a pickup load. It's only uncovered during dry spells, so it doesn't require much drying.

[zone 9]

You cant go wrong with natural dirt,but not from around the house where it could pick up oders from dogs and vehicles.

[Freak( Jim V.)]

Top soil and a pickup. Cheap and easy. If you check around , you can even get it prescreened.

[trappnman]

If you purchase 100% top soil- you have no problems. I used it successfully- but the cost is too prohibitive to do on a large scale.

One distinct advantage- or disadvantage I guess- is that potting soil does not get as compacted as "dirt".