Hey everyone! I'm new to container gardening and I have a question about what to do at the end of the season. I've got some containers filled with annuals and bedding plants that are starting to fade as autumn rolls in. Is it okay to remove the finished plants and leave the soil in the containers over the winter? I'd love to avoid replacing all the soil if possible, especially since the containers are pretty large. Any advice on this would be much appreciated!
3 Answers
Absolutely! You can remove the dead plants and even plant some spring bulbs in there for a nice surprise when the weather warms up. They’ll bring some color back to your garden in no time!
Yeah, just keep in mind that the soil might be a bit depleted of nutrients by spring. A good mulch before winter can really help out. It’s a great way to keep everything healthy for next year without starting from scratch!
You're in luck! I usually just top up with fresh compost when I plant new stuff in the spring. I rarely empty the containers completely, but I do add some compost and mulch. The only time I dump everything is if I've had a pest issue or if they're overrun with weeds that I can't manage.
Also, don’t forget to add some winter bedding plants like pansies or violas for a bit of color during the cold months. The bulbs will grow right through them in spring!