Comments on: How to Sterilize Soil

By: Tiffany @ No Ordinary Homestead

Tiffany @ No Ordinary Homestead — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:28:42 +0000

Interesting post. I never really thought about the possibility of sterilizing soil. I definitely learned something today

I host the Garden Life link up on Fridays and would love to have you drop by some time.

By: Clint Baker

Clint Baker — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:35:39 +0000

Great Information! I posted on “Damping-off” today! Heidi sent me over here to read this!

By: Chris Field

Chris Field — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 15:24:40 +0000

Hi Cheryl, Viruses are different to bacteria in that they’re not truely alive and need another healthy cell to feed off and reproduce. That means that viruses generally don’t hang around in soil, but in the plants themselves. Sterilization will kill the virus, but I think you’re basically going to have to dig up the infected plants in the area, set up a quarantine (don’t plant anything else there for 1-3 months) and then start again. You may have to burn the infected plants if it’s serious enough – as disposing of them any other way will just spread the virus. – Chris

By: Cheryl Huddleston

Cheryl Huddleston — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:22:36 +0000

Will the sterilization of the soil work with a virus that we have in our lantana and milkweed?

YourYOur website is very informative and interesting. Thank you!!

By: emansnas

emansnas — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 04:45:23 +0000

Actually, using your microwave is an entirely appropriate, safe and highly effective method of sterilizing soil. The radiation will effectively kill bugs and pathogens that heat alone won’t. To ensure even distribution, irradiate a few cups of soil at a time in a glass or ceramic bowl. For an 1100 watt oven, three minutes on high will be sufficient to kill all living things in the soil. Unless you get your soil from a scrap yard, worrying about it being full of metal is rather paranoid, but if for some reason the soil you chose does contain metal, your microwave will start ‘crackling’ – simply shut it off, no harm done.

By: Chris Field

Chris Field — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:22:58 +0000

Stephen,

Don’t ever microwave soil. You won’t know exactly what’s in it, and so there could be some pieces or iron ore, other other metals that will ruin your oven. It also doesn’t cook the soil through and will only heat it in places.

By: Beginner’s Garden « Living & Learning: A Homesteader's Journey

Beginner’s Garden « Living & Learning: A Homesteader's Journey — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:52:09 +0000

[...] (haha). I’ll be starting my seeds indoors this week. I’ve also looked up how to sterilize soil so that I can use it to start my seeds in order to give my plants the best start possible. [...]

By: Stephen Heim

Stephen Heim — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 19:34:28 +0000

Will microwaving sterilize soil?

By: Union Glashutte Watches

Union Glashutte Watches — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:21:14 +0000

I had no idea I was supposed to be sterilizing my soil.. maybe that’s why most of my plants keep dying. I am so thankful for this post– maybe it’ll turn my gardening season around this spring. Great post!
-Sylvia

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:54:18 +0000

It actually doesn’t smell that bad… just kind of “earthy”… and, the smell doesn’t linger.