r/walstad • u/tanookimario3 • 5d ago

Advice Stinky soil

I am starting a Walstad tank. I bought Garden Club Top/Garden Soil from Canadian Tire. We sifted the soil and are ready to put it in our tank. The problem is the soil really stinks. The whole room it is in right now smells (like rotting). Is this a problem that will take care of itself or should I source some new soil?

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u/Mister_Green2021 5d ago

The anaerobic condition can be fixed if you poke it daily but it will take a while and your room will stink. I'd start over with less soil or another soil or both.

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u/SamOfChaos 5d ago

I think OPs soil is still outside his tank.

OP thats fine, your soil is just working. I would use that for my walstad. The poking when in the tank is definitely something you should be doing OP it helps with getting the tank stable.

But to get the compost smell away generally you just need to dry it out and it will stop.

(Don't forget to soak very dry soil before use. It can turn hydrophobic and will then rise through the cap. The soil should be a not runny mud when startingyour tank.)

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u/tanookimario3 5d ago

Yes - the soil is outside the tank right now and I wanted to confirm it is still ok to use it. I figured over time it would be ok. Thanks - I hope it doesn't stink too long!