Potted plant question

[jasono]

We plant a few medium size pots in front of the house each year with annuals and love doing them as they are very pretty. At the end of last year, we pulled the greenery off and left the roots in the pot and stored the pots with dirt and roots.

As we plan to plant new annuals this year, we discussed 'derooting' the pots and freshening the soil (wife's view) vs. just planting as they are with old roots and such in it (my view). Obviously, her perspective would work, but be labor intensive. My thought is that it is all organic and all of the Miracle grow we put in last year is still there, the soil is fine. Does anyone have thoughts or experience with this? Will the roots and 'old' dirt will harm the growth this year? Will the plants be root bound? Thanks for your thoughts.

[98panther]

If they were winterized correctly, then just add some fresh gas start it up and it'll just smoke a little until the stabil burns off.

[nic]

The roots die if the plants die, they shouldn't impact your next set of flowers at all. I've been reusing pots for 7+ yrs with no issues. I generally just churn up the soil with a small shovel pretty well. Mix in a little new potting soil, and it's good to go. Annual roots aren't that strong (hence the reason they don't survive from year to year) that they would prevent newer plants from growing as needed.

[jasono]

98- i like. always thinking snow.

nic- thanks for the advice. will be happy to save some work...

[tundra ron]

I take some of the old potting soil out put some new in plus compose from my compose box use miracle grow very slightly. It does make your soil acid

[polarisrider1]

Looks like a question for Ezra.