Prepare Your Containers

Over the years, we have accumulated pots of various sizes—some donated by family and friends, and others acquired with greenhouse purchases. Reusing pots is an excellent way to save money while also benefiting the environment. Since most pots aren’t recyclable and often end up in landfills, repurposing them is a fantastic way to reduce waste.

Before filling your pots with soil and seeds or seedlings, it's crucial to disinfect them for several reasons:

Prevent Disease Spread: Old pots can harbour pathogens, fungi, and bacteria that can infect new plants, leading to diseases. Cleaning them ensures you're starting with a healthy environment for your plants.

Pest Control: Residues and soil in old pots can contain pests or their eggs, which can damage your new plants. Disinfecting helps eliminate these unwanted guests. In our area, we have a problem with Jumping Worms, so we disinfect all pots before storing them for winter to avoid introducing them to our garden.

Better Growth Conditions: Old soil remnants can alter the pH balance and nutrient availability in the new soil. Cleaning the pots helps maintain a neutral environment conducive to plant growth.

Weed Control: Disinfecting can help get rid of weed seeds that might be lurking in the old soil, preventing them from sprouting and competing with your new plants.

Our preferred method of disinfecting is a vinegar solution, but you can use any of the following. Just remember to scrub the pots with a brush to remove any soil and debris before disinfecting them:

Bleach Solution: Mix one part bleach with nine parts water. Soak the pots in this solution for at least 10 minutes, then rinse them thoroughly with clean water.

Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and is especially good for killing mold and mildew. Rinse the pots after using a vinegar solution to ensure there's no lingering acidity that could affect your plants.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Soak the pots for about 10 minutes and then rinse them well. This option is more eco-friendly and doesn't leave harmful residues.

Commercial Disinfectants: There are several gardening-specific disinfectants available in stores that are designed to be safe and effective for cleaning pots.