I am planning on planting annuals in my planters. Do I need to remove all of the dirt from the planters first?

Question

I have two big planters in front of my home which had plants in it that died. The owner didn't keep the water on while the house was up for sale. The planters already have a watering system in place. I was told that all I would need to do is remove the dirt from the planters, put in soil, and then plant my annuals. Is this correct? Do I have to remove ALL of the dirt or can I do the bottom half dirt, the top half soil? Also, since I live in the desert I think annuals would be easiest and once the annuals die, do I need to remove the soil they were in or just the dead plant and put in a new one?

Answer 1

Normally, I would say NO.
This case, I would say YES; you don't know if a fungus is in it. You don't know what was last planted, how was cared or last time cleaned. Clean all, fresh dirt or potting soil & plant; this is preventative from possible fungus.

Answer 2

Clean out the soil this time and use new. I say this because there is no telling how long the soil has been there and if it has had any diseases or how well it was fertilized. After this you should be able to just mix in a little compost in the spring when you get ready to put in your annuals. Add a little slow release fertilizer and you'll be ready to grow. Organic fertilizers tend to release slower and last longer. Plus they are less likely to burn your plants.

Answer 3

Personally, I would remove all the dirt. I have created many flowerbeds and planters and for my own peace of mind I start over fresh, no matter what the previous owner did. Even in my own planters, I use fresh dirt every year. For better drainage, and to make planters lighter, I add styrofoam packing peanuts or styrofoam bits to my planters. They're lighter than gravel and they don't scratch the planters.

Answer 4

Just mix a little potting soil with what you already have in the pot and you should be fine. I leave a lot of the roots in the pots so they can decompose and provide more nutrients for the next generation. Be carefull because some roots are not good for this (Dusty Miller is one example of this)

Answer 5

My own opinion is....Potting soil is not that expensive and you really don't know if the other soil had any contaminates.
Buy something like Peters potting soil that already has the fertilizer mixed in. Or any brand that is premixed.
Good Luck

Answer 6

no, but get all the junk from the winter/fall out of it. aerate the dirt by mixing it up and plant your annuals. use Miracle grow for flowering plants to feed the annuals. Good Luck!

Answer 7

just mix the crap up plant your new suff and water. no worries.