How Can I Sterilize Dirt in the Oven?

Spring is the time when gardeners across America begin to prepare their garden beds and seeds for a season of growing. When preparing planting sites and containers, it's a good idea to use sterilized soil. Sterilized soil is ideal because it does not contain any soil diseases, bacteria or insects. Though you can purchase sterilized soil at most garden stores and nurseries, you can also sterilize your own dirt at home in your oven.

Gardening soil
Water
Organic compost
Baking pan
Aluminum foil

Instructions

- 1
  Squeeze a handful of the soil that you want to sterilize. If it forms a ball but can be broken apart, then the soil has just the right amount of moisture. If the ball of soil does not break apart easily, you need to add a bit more dry soil to correct the moisture level. If the soil does not form a ball at all, add water to moisten the soil.
- 2
  Amend the soil before you sterilize it. While the sterilizing process will remove harmful bacteria and fungi from the soil, you still want the soil to be nutrient rich. Add amendments, such as organic compost or peat moss, that will be suitable for the plants or vegetables you want to grow.
- 3
  Preheat your oven to 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 4
  Spread the amended, moistened soil onto a metal baking pan. The soil can be four inches deep, but avoid treating more than that amount of soil at one time.
- 5
  Cover the pan with aluminum foil, and place a meat or candy thermometer through the foil and into the soil.
- 6
  Place the pan into the oven and bake until the soil reaches a temperature of 180 F for 30 minutes. Be careful that the soil does not go above 200 F, or it can develop plant toxins.
- 7
  Remove the pan from the oven, and allow the soil to cool before you use it.

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