Prep your pots for winter

Before storing your planters this winter, make sure they get a thorough cleaning; this prevents the transfer of diseases and pests to new plants and ensures containers are ready to go next spring.

The proper way to prep pots for winter:

• After removing the plant and old soil, soak pots for 24 hours in a mixture of one part bleach and nine parts water
• Use a nylon brush to scrub off any remaining soil and tough deposits
• After rinsing, soak the cleaned containers in fresh water for 30 minutes to remove all traces of bleach
• To prevent breakage when storing clay pots, place packing foam or bubble wrap between individual planters before stacking them

Read more in How to and Gardening Basics