Things You'll Need:
- dirt
- oven
- microwave
- wheelbarrow
- bar-b-q grill
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Step 1
Recipe #1 - In a aluminum foil baking pan, you will want to put 2- to 3-inches of soil. Make sure the soil is moist, but not too wet. Cover the baking pan with foil. Set the oven to 200'F and put the dirt filled baking pan inside the oven. After a few minutes you will need to put a meat thermometer (not one you will use for food ever again) into the dirt to test the temperature. Once the dirt temperature reaches 150'F you will want to continue heating it for 30 minutes longer, then remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Because these foil baking dishes tend to bend easily, you might want to put a cookie sheet underneath the baking pan, so that you don't drop all this hot dirt on your kitchen floor.
You should know that soil that has been baked do NOT smell that great, so you might want to make sure you do this on a day that you can have your windows open. -
Step 2
You can also make potting soil in the microwave. Place 2 pounds of soil in a baking bag. Loosely twist and close the bag...you do not want to seal the bag to tightly because it could explode. Heat on high for 2 1/2 minutes. Be careful removing this from the microwave. Allow the soil to cool uncovered.
You will want to make sure your microwave is cleaned very well after using this method. Pay close attention to the door seal. -
Step 3
Now if you aren't sure you want to try this inside your home, why not try the wheelbarrow method.
Put 2- to 3-inches of soil in a wheelbarrow. Make sure the soil is smoothed out flat. Cover with clear plastic. Put the wheelbarrow in direct sunlight for a good 8 hours (longer if possible). You will want to turn the soil 2 or 3 times throughout the day. -
Step 4
Last but not least, you can make potting soil using your bar-b-q grill. Start the coals just like you would to make hamburgers/steaks, etc. Pour some yard soil (garden soil) into a foil baking pan (you can use an old roaster as long as you aren't planning on using that roaster to make your Thanksgiving turkey in later in the year). Make sure the soil is smoothed out flat. Cover the baking pan/roaster with foil. You will want to 'bar-b-q' your soil for about 30 to 45 minutes, stirring once or twice during that time. Test your soil with a meat thermometer to make sure the soil hits 300'F.
Comments
FrazzledNanny said
on 3/13/2009 WOW! I could not pull myself away from this article. I love the uniqueness in your articles. This is brand new to me but it sure sounds interesting. We have plenty of dirt at our house and we love to plant things. 5* (more if I could)