Soil Sterilizing

Soil is difficult to sterilize in the garden. Chemicals are not available to the homeowner for use in sterilization.

Clear plastic can be laid over moist soil and kept in place for several months to kill weeds, seeds and insects.

Soil can be sterilized for use indoors or in pots by placing moist soil in a kitchen cooking bag and heated in a 200? F. oven until a thermometer in the soil registers 140?. Higher temperatures will destroy beneficial soil bacteria.

Soil can be heated in baking pans covered with aluminum foil. However, cooking soil smells just this side of cooking cabbage and ventilation is definitely recommended.