Do you wash your pots and seed trays ?

[terrier]

I keep a buchet of water laced with ***** on the bench and everytime I empty a pot I give i a quick rinse out, that way I don't get a build up of soiled pots and keeps the shed cleaner (and I love the smell of *****)

[Wendy]

Yes im going to be washing all my pots because i had problems with diseases and i want to start a fresh new year with clean pots!!

[Alison]

Spent last night washing a propogator tray, lid and insert... should have read this thread first!

Worth doing propogator lids as otherwise you'll restrict the light to the seedlings so not all wasted time

[Nicos]

I keep a buchet of water laced with ***** on the bench and everytime I empty a pot I give i a quick rinse out, that way I don't get a build up of soiled pots and keeps the shed cleaner (and I love the smell of *****)

Exactly as you should!!!

[Madasafish]

Every autumn, two buckets, some Domestos and wash them all.
1. Cos they are dirty
2. They grow mould over winter if I do not
3. Some are used in house for tender seedlings so have to look good.
4. Greenhouse looks lidier.
5 Gets me out of the house.
6. They get filthy in summer left out in rain. covered in slugs/leaves /bird poo etc.

More hygenic? Don't care.

[rustylady]

I wouldn't say wash exactly!! As in scrub and sterilize. Tend to just give them a rinse to get rid of the worst of the muck. I use a lot of plastic cell trays which don't take too much hard scrubbing so if I haven't had any disease problems I just rinse them. And I know it's a lot easier if you do it as soon as you empty them, but I just spent last weekend washing out a lot that had somehow escaped my notice!!!!!!!! OK, I'm a slut too.

[momol]

The only time when I really wash my pots ( big ones, not the modules or germination pot) were when my potted toms blighted (I really soak them in hot water and scrub it clean with some detergent and rinse them well).
Plus during winter when all big pots were brough in to be stored in the garage as I don't have any shed plus don't want any worms indoor...

Momol

[nkp1962]

Another job off this weekends list, I think!!!

NKP1962
From Plot to Plate

[Woofster]

Thank you grapes for answering my question so thoroughly. I don't wash mine mainly cos I don't have the time (other gardening jobs just seem more important and interesting) and also living in the drought threatened South East (and having a water meter) makes me a bit wary of using water. I think I'll definitely give them a brush before using to remove any dried up old compost. I was interested in Snadger's theory as to why people used to was out pots and trays - sounds likely.
As to ironing, OH does it but there is a price - I have to admire his handywork and compliment him fulsomely on his work.

[vegnut]

I keep a buchet of water laced with ***** on the bench and everytime I empty a pot I give i a quick rinse out, that way I don't get a build up of soiled pots and keeps the shed cleaner (and I love the smell of *****)

Actually terrier, thats a good idea. I too like the smell of *****, and a quick rinse wont do any harm. thanks for that little idea

[valmarg]

All right, lets do a comparison.

You ate your Christmas dinner off plates. You used cooking utensils, roasting tins, saucepans, etc.

Would you put those items back into the cupboard without washing them???? NO!!

Why should you think it all right to do that with your plantpots/trays.

A lot of people take the risk with gardening equipment, but you are increasing the risk of disease.

Yes, washing plantpots is a pain, but you will have the added benefit of knowing the containers you put your plants into are disease free.

valmarg

[kernowyon]

Actually terrier, thats a good idea. I too like the smell of *****, and a quick rinse wont do any harm. thanks for that little idea

hate to admit it but, seeing as it is a good idea, I might just erm, maybe put a bucket of ***** in the shed as well. just don't tell anyone

[HeyWayne]

All right, lets do a comparison.

You ate your Christmas dinner off plates. You used cooking utensils, roasting tins, saucepans, etc.

Would you put those items back into the cupboard without washing them???? NO!!

Why should you think it all right to do that with your plantpots/trays.

A lot of people take the risk with gardening equipment, but you are increasing the risk of disease.

Yes, washing plantpots is a pain, but you will have the added benefit of knowing the containers you put your plants into are disease free.

valmarg

Not exactly comparing cox's with granny smiths here are we. I also wouldn't eat my three bird roast out of a plant pot using my garden fork and pruning knife either.

However, I take your point val, but equally I personally think that cleaning something thoroughly that is going to be left out in the open a little bizarre. Each to their own.

[OverWyreGrower]

I don't wash them per se, but chuck them all in one of the wheelbarrows and leave them out in the rain.....

Will just take them all out and stack them up ready for use now... no old soil or slugs etc in

Wish I had the time to wash them all properly!!

[SarzWix]

I can think of much better ways to spend my time than washing pots! Sorry Hazel and Piskie yer on yer own!

I wash mine every year! Stood for an hour or so washing all my small pots and trays at the wknd. Got the bigger tomato pots & my even bigger potato tubs to scrub out this wknd. Can't see the point in spending money on seeds & compost & electric for propogators & all the time sowing, just to lose the plants to some disease or other. For the sake of a bit of washing up? Better safe than sorry I reckon