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.

[booondocker]

Provided that your plant was healthy, there is no harm in doing this. But the decaying materials can harbor some nasty stuff that can stunt or kill the new growth from the new plantings. Bugs can and do barrow down in the pot and can also attack the new plantings.

So you have to ask yourself...punk....do yah feel lucky...well do yah?

Having said that....I confess to cutting back some of those hanging pots and putting them in the garage where they winter out and can re-grow again...I have done this a bunch with geraniums.

[thunderstruck88]

my problem is with plants you got to water them lol I am a black thumb or is a brown one ? ummmmmm Good Luck with the plant!!!!!

[snow_monkey]

I have to replace the soil each year. My wife hides her old cigarette butts just under the soil, "nasty" !

[jasono]

Yuck. And one more reason to stop smoking... if you still need one.

[ezra]

Looks like a question for Ezra.

only if reading with some kind of dyslexia.and then not in 20 yrs but did dabbel in aeroponic and hydroponic and organic and dirt with no chemicals is a much better end product hands down