Knowing how to perfect your plant's soil is the best defense against diseases and unwanted insects. It''s not to say you won't have any bugs or diseases but the soil is like a plant's immune system. The better the soil the stronger the plants growing in it. Most of us are guilty of neglecting our garden and flower pots.
Once fall hits and everything starts to die off or has been harvested, the gardens and pots are forgotten until next year. This often means buying new soil every year for most and that''s really wasteful and expensive. Instead of letting all the soil go dry and lifeless feed it! You can directly compost in your empty flower pots and gardens until early spring, keeping the soil moist and feeding it will end the cycle of having to replace your soil and when you build up that soil its worth more than the dead soil in bags you buy at the store.
Once the pot is empty or the flowers die just throw your usual compost items in the planters and be sure the pots are where they touch the ground. Healthy microbes live in the soil in your yard year round as long as you aren''t living in a desert. This way nature can add moisture and nutrients, plus the compost will attract good organisms like earthworms.
If you have ever wondered why plants just don''t seem to bounce back when we forget to water potted plants is because all of the healthy microbes died and the plant is lacking nutrients. A strict watering routine is vital for all potted plants and gardens. So this fall, just add the usual composting items to your pots and garden. It makes less work all around for the next spring. You don''t have to move all the compost or replace dead dirt and your flowers and veggies will thank you!
