Hey plant lovers! I've accumulated a ton of plants over the years thanks to neighbors tossing them out. Unfortunately, I've been struggling with depression and haven't kept up with their care. Now they all need to be repotted, cleaned up, and given new soil, but I live in a second-floor apartment with carpet everywhere and a tiny patio. I really want to avoid making a mess, especially with soil falling down to my neighbors below. Any tips on how to handle this situation? Thanks for your help!
3 Answers
I repot using a big mixing bowl and store my potting soil in old cat litter tubs. For cleaning, I place the pot in a container of water and let it soak from the bottom up, but when it comes to dusting off leaves, I'd recommend using a spray or a gentle hose if you can find a way to make it work. Just be careful with the setup! If your patio is really small, a tarp may be a lifesaver.
Consider using a large plastic sheet to cover your work area, whether that's your patio or even the bathtub if you can manage it. If you go the patio route, try to keep a designated pair of shoes for the tarp area and another pair for outside to minimize mess. Good luck with your plant rescue mission!
Utilizing your bathroom for washing might be a good option, but if that doesn't work, having a portable camping shower head with a 5-gallon bucket on a rolling rack could do the trick! Just lay down a tarp on the patio, and use the shower nozzle to rinse your plants without making too much of a mess. Whatever you do, have your tools organized and ready before you start.