Now that summer is around the corner, you will want to begin preparing your pots for all of the flowers you will be planting. You may think that planting flowers is as easy as throwing some dirt and blooms in your pots and calling it a day, but the truth is there are a few other steps you should take first. Preparing your pots appropriately can ensure you a low and prosperous growing season, free from diseased and struggling plants. Take a look below at some simple tips on how to care for and clean your flower pots. By following these steps, you can grow bigger, healthier plants all summer long.
How to Care for and Clean Your Flower Pots
1. Apply some heat.
A great way to clean and disinfect your terra cotta pots is to place them in the oven for about 60 minutes. Set the temperature to about 200 degrees, place the pots on a cookie sheet, and slide them in. After an hour, turn off the heat and let the pots cool while still in the oven. Once they are cool, remove and use as usual. Never remove the pots before they are cooled or they will shatter.
Instead of baking your pots in the oven, you can sanitize them by running them through the dish washer.
2. Give them a soak.
Create a mixture using a 1:10 ratio of bleach and water. Create your mixture and then submerge your pots in. Allow them to air dry for up to 48 hours before using. If you want a gentler mixture, use vinegar instead of bleach. Use a little baking soda to create a scrub and remove any stains or deposits.
3. Be considerate of how you store your pots.
Always make sure your pots are dry before storing so mold and mildew don’t accumulate. Always store pots upside down so nothing collects inside of them. Never store pots on top of each other and never stack. This is one of the main ways pots break and become damaged.
4. Soak prior to planting.
Soak your pots in water prior to planting. This will help retain moisture and allow your pots to gently expand.
5. Don’t over fill.
Never put more in your pots than they should hold. This will result in cracking. Be mindful when planting and your pots will perform better.
Give these tips a try and see how simple it can be to take care of your flower pots. These steps will allow your pots to last longer and produce healthier plants, getting you more bang for your gardening buck.
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