Anyone ever tried using cold frames for solarizing potting
soil to kill pests such as fungus gnats? Seems simple
enough, just pop the lid and toss in a bag of soil for a
week or two.

zap damp soil in the microwave. make sure the blower is going. INgrid

On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:19:36 -0700 (PDT), Frank wrote:

Anyone ever tried using cold frames for solarizing potting
soil to kill pests such as fungus gnats? Seems simple
enough, just pop the lid and toss in a bag of soil for a
week or two.

On Jun 18, 8:58 am, wrote:
zap damp soil in the microwave. make sure the blower is going. INgrid

How long to sterilize a 40 lb bag?

On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:19:36 -0700 (PDT), Frank wrote:
Anyone ever tried using cold frames for solarizing potting
soil to kill pests such as fungus gnats? Seems simple
enough, just pop the lid and toss in a bag of soil for a
week or two.

how big is your microwave??? zap 1 minute and feel how hot it is, or, put in a
microwave thermometer and zap til killing temp. Ingrid

On Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:11:57 -0700 (PDT), Frank wrote:

On Jun 18, 8:58 am, wrote:
zap damp soil in the microwave. make sure the blower is going. INgrid

How long to sterilize a 40 lb bag?

On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:19:36 -0700 (PDT), Frank wrote:
Anyone ever tried using cold frames for solarizing potting
soil to kill pests such as fungus gnats? Seems simple
enough, just pop the lid and toss in a bag of soil for a
week or two.

On Jun 20, 2:11 pm, wrote:
how big is your microwave??? zap 1 minute and feel how hot it is, or, put in a
microwave thermometer and zap til killing temp. Ingrid

I can reach killing temperature in dead winter. Summer temps
should be near boiling pt of water, especially if wet and
sealed in a plastic bag.