#TERRACOTTA POTS ABSORB WATER FREE#

If there is still residue, just leave them a bit longer. If the buildup is gone, the pots are finished. The solution should be 1 cup of 5% acidic white vinegar to 3-4 cups of water.īaking soda neutralizes stubborn salt marks. Soak the pots in a water/vinegar solution for 20-30 minutes. Clay pots are often encrusted with built up mineral salts and vinegar does a great job of dissolving them. The next step uses my trusty friend vinegar. They can leave a residue that is hard to remove.) Next, use the same scrubbing brush and brush the outside of the pot, removing as much of the crusty gunk as you can. Rinse both the pot and the scrubber with water. Then simply remove as much of the remaining soil as you can with a stiff scrubbing brush. Don’t just start rubbing wet soil, or you will end up with mud! Allow the remaining soil to dry so that it will be easier to remove. Take out the old plant and root ball out of the pot. The first step in cleaning clay pots is easy.

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#TERRACOTTA POTS ABSORB WATER FREE#

Image credit: Wikipedia Free Image repository. Why spend money on new terracotta pots when you can save yourself tons of money with just a little elbow grease? It really doesn’t take much time to give a new lease of life to your crusty old terracotta pots. They need to be cleaned and sterilized at the end of each season to keep from spreading these absorbed particles to new plants and to rid the threat of spreading fungus or mold which can infect new plants and damage the pots themselves.Ĭleaning clay pots is easier than you might think when you see the messy pots in the fall. Clay pots absorb minerals from the soil itself, and also absorb chemicals from any fertilizer you might use. The reason that this job is so necessary is the clay itself. I just love the natural look of them.īut clay pots can look tired and worn by the end of the gardening season and often need a good dose of TLC to get them in good shape for next year. I use clay pots for to hold my herbs and also for succulents. See my terra cotta pumpkin candy dish for an example. I’ve even been known to use clay pots in craft projects. There is nothing quite like a basic clay pot for planting drought resistant succulents and cacti plants. They breathe well, help to keep the soil moist but not soggy and prevent overheating here in our NC summers.Īlthough these pots are breakable, pieces of broken clay pots can also be useful when used as drainage hole covers in other pots to keep soil from washing out. Terra cotta clay pots are my choice when it comes to patio decor. Taking care of some garden maintenance will make things all the more easy when spring rolls around next year. I make use of these cool months by tending to some garden chores now. The temps are cool, so we want to be out there doing something, but most plants are slowing down, so not much is growing. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase through an affiliate link.įall is an odd time in the garden. The Gardening Cook is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate Program. Getting Rid of the Crust! Tips for Cleaning Clay Pots. Cleaning clay pots this time of the year keeps my garden still in mind and makes sure that they are ready to use when it comes to for early spring bloomers in a few months.

When the days get cooler and shorter, it is time to put the garden to bed for the winter.

Terracotta pots absorb water