Where do you store unused bonsai soil?

[stewarjm192]

Time to wake up this dead thread: any thoughts on storing soil outside in cold climates where it will certainly freeze? Just moved and my garage space was cut so soil needs to move to my new ahead. It is a new, high quality sheaf build with no sign of moisture inside, but certainly will be exposed to the cold. Any worries here for folks in northern latitudes?

 

[The Barber]

Time to wake up this dead thread: any thoughts on storing soil outside in cold climates where it will certainly freeze? Just moved and my garage space was cut so soil needs to move to my new ahead. It is a new, high quality sheaf build with no sign of moisture inside, but certainly will be exposed to the cold. Any worries here for folks in northern latitudes?

So long as it stays dry freezing shouldn't cause any issues. 5 gallon buckets with the water tight lids would work great I would think.

 

[River's Edge]

Time to wake up this dead thread: any thoughts on storing soil outside in cold climates where it will certainly freeze? Just moved and my garage space was cut so soil needs to move to my new ahead. It is a new, high quality sheaf build with no sign of moisture inside, but certainly will be exposed to the cold. Any worries here for folks in northern latitudes?

In my experience the key is to keep it dry.
I follow the practise of wrapping the pile of bags in plastic, using a pallet to keep off the floor or double wrapping the bottom two rows in case of spillage. This also provides bit of a deterrent from rodent damage. Not sure why they chew on the bagged soil, but it happens sometimes. I have also used 5 gal pails outside, finding that the waterproof lids are not always waterproof as advertised. If using the pails I suggest covering with an upside down regular size garbage bag for added protection.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

We put ours in 5 gallon containers with the flexible plastic sealing covers. (Not the HD covers!).

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[stubmle]

We put ours in 5 gallon containers with the flexible plastic sealing covers. (Not the HD covers!).

Cheers
DSD sends

What's wrong with the HD covers? Too expensive? Too crappy?

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

What's wrong with the HD covers? Too expensive? Too crappy?

Good question. We use these for a couple years and found them to not be as water proof (check out the seal) and also hard to manage (off/on) in the cold during repotting season.

Our HD sells the pliable black lids for just a tad more than the orange lids. We tried one as a test. After a year we purchased a dozen more. The guys in the orange vests had to get a lift and close the aisle so they could get down a couple more boxes of the lids for me. It was fun to see!

Best
DSD sends