Can I fill a clay pot with dirt from outside for growing plants indoors?

Or should I buy soil from the store?





I am planning to grow spearmint from seeds.





Thanks!

Can I fill a clay pot with dirt from outside for growing plants indoors?
sure, you can! Nature doesn't use store bought soil! I would, however, mix some potting soil with dirt from outside. Just make sure you don't bring in bugs in the dirt and the dirt is rich. .


Gardening is so much fun. You know after the last freeze, you can just put the seeds in the ground and see what happens.
Reply:Get new soil from the store. The soil outside usually has some fungus in it and it will spread to your potted plants. And also you won't have any holes in your yard. And it'll provide nutrition.
Reply:Not the best idea but I have done it. Outside soil can have the potential of disease and insects that can quickly infest and destroy your new plants. When I used outdoor soil, I put in in baking dishes and baked at 250 degrees for an hour. Never had any problem. However, most potting soils from the store don't cost much. I avoid Miracle Gro because it seems to be too rich and I have had seedlings keel over and die when planted in Miracle Gro.
Reply:You surely can grow plants indoors in an outside dirt, but indoors plants need a good soil.
Reply:yes but spred it on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven to kill all the bad stuff in it first--ugru
Reply:soon you will have knats regardless of your choice to fix this problem just poke some garlic cloves into the soil . and use the real garlic
Reply:No. it will not work. You need to get a good potting soil for indoor plants.
Reply:I agree with the "cook the soil" types, but I'd also use an outdoor grill, if you have one. Cooked bugs inside can be stinky.





I use a soiless mix, ProMix. I start a lot of seeds for Spring, so it would be hard to dig the garden in mid-Winter.
Reply:well I must say I have never heard of anyone baking dirt lol but I can tell you my Mom and I have been starting our garden from seeds for years and we have used the dirt from the ground for many plants but we have bought dirt and used it my opinion is if the seeds are not to costly just try a few in the dirt from your yard it should be ok if the seeds don't grow then try the store bought btw make sure the seeds are not expired
Reply:i suggest by some potting soil it has more nutrients in it than what you can get outside in your yard...also you wont have bugs contaminates etc...