Is Miracle Gro garden soil ok for my Russian tortoises

[Get scooted]

So I have some like 3 year old soil and I was just wondering if I can use it in my tortoises enclosure. It's a miracle gro for- ground- use soil. Oh and can I mix it with some zoo med forest floor bedding.

 

[Yvonne G]

Best not to. One never knows what sort of garbage goes into potting soil at the factory.

 

[Tom]

So I have some like 3 year old soil and I was just wondering if I can use it in my tortoises enclosure. It's a miracle gro for- ground- use soil. Oh and can I mix it with some zoo med forest floor bedding.

Soil should never be used as a substrate for an indoor enclosure. Soil is made from composted yard waste. There is no way to know what its made of, and it could be toxic plants, or it could be cut grass with yards chemicals all over it.

In addition to the toxicity problem, soil almost always has undesirable additives. Perlite, "wetting agents", guano, chemical fertilizers, etc... The manufacturers do not intend for live animals to be living on their product in a small indoor enclosure.

The forest floor will work, but fine grade orchid bark works best.

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