As the growing season ends, properly cleaning and storing your urban planter boxes is crucial for their longevity and the health of next year's plants. Follow this simple, effective process to ensure your planters are ready for a productive spring.
First, completely empty your planter boxes. Remove all spent plants, roots, and old soil. Discard any diseased plant material in the trash, not your compost, to prevent spreading pathogens.
Next, give the empty planters a thorough cleaning. Use a stiff brush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water to scrub the interior and exterior surfaces. For a deeper clean and to eliminate any lingering pests or diseases, create a disinfecting solution of one part white vinegar to nine parts water, or one part bleach to nine parts water. Scrub the planter with your chosen solution, then rinse it thoroughly with clean water and allow it to dry completely in the sun.
Once your planters are clean and bone-dry, it's time to store them. Choose a cool, dry, and protected location like a garage, shed, or basement. If you are stacking planter boxes to save space, place a layer of cardboard or old towels between them to prevent scratches and chipping. Avoid storing them directly on cold, concrete floors; using pallets or shelves is ideal for promoting air circulation.
By taking these steps to clean and store your urban planters, you will protect your investment, prevent rot and disease, and set the stage for a successful garden when the warm weather returns.