soil for digging box

[JohannSebastianRat]

I tried to get some "sterilized, fertilizer-free" potting soil at Orchard Supply Hardware, but they didn't have it. I want to grow grass and make a digging box for my little guys. Anyone know who sells this kind of soil?

Mike

[Squrlshell]

I found some organic soil (no pesticides) at Home Depot ... would anyone else suggest (or say to avoid) using this?

[JohannSebastianRat]

I found some organic soil (no pesticides) at Home Depot ... would anyone else suggest (or say to avoid) using this?

Yes, if an experienced person knows, is it okay to use organic soil that hasn't been sterilized? Presumably it has manure in it, which I'm not sure I would want my ratties digging in.

Mike

[ratzrkool]

I just made sure there chemicals, like pesticides, in the dirt I bought. I just got regular, old, potting soil. Rats had a blast fling it out of the box and searching for seed and other goodies. Or, I suppose you could use outdoor dirt, as long as you know the grass hasn't been sprayed and you know someone who would give you their dirt for your rats. LOL  

[JohannSebastianRat]

I'm guess that some people get sterilized soil so that nothing unexpected grows out of it, nothing you don't want, like mushrooms. Maybe I can sterilize it myself in the microwave (though would have a hard time explaining to roommate why I'm piling dirt in the mircowave  )

Mike

[kmw]

Personally, I'd go for sterilized soil - it means, as Mike said, nothing unexpected will grow out of it - plants NOR bugs! 

I'd try a greenhouse for fertilizer free, sterilized soil.  They sometimes carry more variety than the home improvement/hardware stores.  I bought soil meant for terrariums from a petstore to use in dig boxes.  I didn't, however, try to grow wheatgrass in it, so I can't comment on that.

[DebW]

I actually use the dirt from outdoors.  I get it from someplace that isn't treated with chemicals (the vacant lot next door) and sterilize it myself.  I let it dry out, then put it in the oven at 400 degrees for about an hour.  I just fill a small kitty litter box with it and plant wild bird seed in it.  It doesn't take a lot of dirt.  I've never had any problems with it.