Storing Pots, Soil, and Supplies Safely

Keep containers and materials in good shape so they are ready for spring.

Pots

• Clean with a mild soap solution, rinse, and dry fully.

• Store clay and thin-walled pots indoors or in a freeze-protected shed.

• For outdoor display pots, use frost-resistant materials and raise on pot feet; wrap with burlap for insulation if needed.

Soil and amendments

• Roll or clamp open soil and compost bags; keep on shelving, not concrete, to avoid wicking moisture.

• For partial bags, pour into sealed totes with labels. Add a few desiccant packs if humidity is high.

Fertilizers and chemicals

• Keep in original containers with intact labels.

• Store cool, dry, and locked away from pets and children.

• Do not let liquid products freeze; bring them indoors.

Tools and hardware

• Remove sap and rust, sharpen cutting edges, and oil metal parts.

• Hang hoses in wide loops after draining; cap ends to keep debris out.

• Consolidate stakes, trellis parts, and row cover in labeled bins.

What to pick up at Donaldson’s

• Frost-resistant pots and pot feet, burlap, storage totes, moisture-proof lids, premium compost and mulch, hose-bib covers, pruning oil and stones, and labeled bins for seed and fertilizer storage.