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Over the past few years, container gardening has grown in popularity among home gardeners of all ages as way to save space and offer flexibility. In fact, growing in containers has proven to be a fantastic way to enjoy fresh herbs, vibrant flowers, and even homegrown vegetables regardless of the space you are working with. With fall on our doorstep, and many summer crops winding down production for the year, you might be wondering what you can do to clean-up your containers and get them ready for next summer. At this time of year, it’s important to take proper care of your soil and containers to ensure success next growing season. In today’s blog post, we walk you through some of the essential steps that you can take now to maintain the soil health of your containers and get them ready for next year’s growing season.
Empty and clean out containers before winter set
At the end of the growing season, its important to empty and clean out any containers that you have been using to grow food, herbs, or flowers in. Start by removing any spent annual plants including their roots and dispose of them. If any of them show signs of disease, do not place these in your compost pile as diseases can live on in the soil and lead to further problems down the road. Next, give all your containers a good scrub down using warm water and very gentle soap. You want to make sure that all dirt, debris or any signs of pest pressure are removed so that you can start again fresh next year. You may need to rinse and scrub your containers a couple of times to ensure that they are clean and pest free for long term storage. After you have thoroughly washed them out, be sure to allow them to completely dry before storing them away in a shed or garage over the fall and winter.
Check over your containers for any damage or repairs that need to be made
Wear and tear on containers are normal especially if they have been used over multiple seasons. While you are cleaning them out after your summer season, be sure to keep an eye out for any cracks, chips, or other structural issues that might comprise the integrity of your containers, especially if they are plastic or ceramic. With temperatures swings over the fall and winter, many containers that already have damage to them could become worse or even split completely. Taking the time to look for damage before storing your containers will give you an opportunity to consider whether it is worth repairing the damage or replacing your containers with something new. This time of year, many local garden centres and big box stores are offer discounts on their leftover garden stock, and who knows, you might discover something new that you would like to add to your collection! Having containers in good working order is essential for healthy plants and to prevent soil and water leakage.
Look for locations to properly store your containers over the fall and winter
Once you have had a chance to decide which containers are worth keeping for next year, you need to choose a location that will keep them safe over the fall and winter. A good rule of thumb is to look for a location that is free from extreme temperatures and harsh weather elements. Storing them in a shed, garage or basement storage area is the perfect way to ensure that your containers stay protected. If space is limited where you are, try stacking the containers by placing one inside the other to maximize your storage efficiency. Protecting your containers from harsh outdoor elements and freezing temperatures is essential to prevent cracking or breaking, especially if your containers are ceramic since they can fall prey to expansion and contraction during extreme temperature swings.
Prepare the soil from your containers for winter
If your containers still have leftover dirt in them, you can recycle the dirt for use in your garden next year. If you are recycling soil from your containers, make sure that you use soil from those containers that did not have plants in them that had succumbed to any diseases as these can often live on in the soil. The fist step to preserve any soil for a future growing year is to remove any leftover plant debris. Removing these plants will help to prevent any mold or pests from making a home in your soil over the winter. Since soil in containers can sometimes become compacted over a long growing season, you will want to loosen it up with a garden fork or garden hand tools to bring in some needed aeration and help with drainage. Over the summer, the plants that were growing in containers will have used up a lot of the nutrients in the soil. To restore the health of your soil, you need to add nutrients back in. One way to do this is to add in some organic matter like compost, well-rotted manure, or leaf mulch. Spread a layer of organic matter over the top of your soil and gently work it into the top few inches. Adding in the organic matter will not only help to build healthy soil, but it will also lock in moisture and get it ready for next year’s summer garden.
Final thoughts
By following the steps in today’s blog, you can ensure that your soil and containers are well-maintained during the fall and winter months, setting the stage for a successful gardening season when spring arrives. Remember, proper care and preparation are key to keeping your garden thriving, even during the colder months. Until next time gardening friends, take advantage of the time you have now before winter to get your container gardens in the best shape possible for a successful growing season next year!
