Don’t Store Garden Soil Like This Over Winter — You Could Ruin the Whole Bag

Leftover potting mix can save money next spring, but don’t leave an open bag exposed to rain, snow, pests, or contaminated garden soil. Store reasonably dry mix securely in a protected location. Trevor Clark/Shutterstock

That half-used bag of potting mix left over from summer may represent $10, $15, or even $20 you won’t have to spend again next spring. But tossing an open bag behind the shed, leaving it where rain can reach it, or forgetting it beside your containers for several months can turn perfectly usable growing media into a soggy, contaminated mess. It is recommended that you keep saved potting mix in a dry location or cover it with plastic so debris stays out and the material doesn’t become waterlogged. Proper garden soil storage over winter isn’t complicated, but moisture, pests, contamination, and deteriorating old potting mix can all affect what you have available when planting season returns. Before you shove those leftover bags into a corner, here’s how to protect the soil you’ve already paid for.

Don’t Leave an Open Bag Exposed to Rain and Snow