Garden supplies to get rid of for a fresh start next year

As fall wraps up your gardening for the year, it’s a great time to reflect and prepare for a fresh start for next spring. One of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to clear out old, worn-out gardening tools. This way, the best tools and materials are available to you when you need them early in the season. Using old, inefficient equipment can potentially lead to poor results. That’s why you should think about replacing worn garden tools, ineffective protective clothing, expired seeds and fertilizers, and broken containers and pots.

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Sorting through all your garden supplies can be daunting. So take some time to go through the things you may no longer need. You don’t have to throw away all of your essential garden tools, especially if they are items you use regularly. Instead, go through your supplies specifically and decide what to keep and what needs to be left out. You can safely dispose of anything that is broken or nearing the end of its life cycle. If you have two of the same tools or equipment, keep the one that is sturdiest and works best. Check the expiration date on anything marked with a use-by date and inspect your containers for damage or cracks. Since the growing season is over, you’ll have a good idea of ​​what you used this year and what you left untouched. Investing a little time and effort in reviewing your materials can go a long way and set you up for a productive and enjoyable gardening season next year.

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When you go through your old garden tools at the end of the season to prepare them for next year, you should first inspect them to see how worn they are. Look for signs of rust, bent or loose handles, and splintering wood. Wearing it this way only makes work more difficult and can also cause you to accidentally injure yourself. Any tools that can no longer be repaired should be disposed of in and around your home or used for another purpose. If they are made of metal or plastic, you can often recycle them at a recycling center if there is one near you that accepts garden tools. However, if you have tools that are still functional, but you have too many of the same tools or they no longer meet your needs, consider donating them to your local community gardens, tool centers, schools, or anywhere in the community where there are such for you use.

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If you’ve thrown away tools that you need to replace, consider investing in quality options that will last for many seasons. Garden tools and equipment that are built to last not only save you money by not having to replace them as quickly, but they also make your gardening experience much more enjoyable. Local garden centers and hardware stores are sometimes the best places to shop so you can get your hands on the tools and see for yourself if they are sturdy, comfortable, and feel good in your hands. Do your research to find the best brand for your desired tool and ensure that it is durable.

Most gardeners wear special clothing in the garden that protects against sun and weather and is suitable for gardening. As you probably know, these garments can withstand a tremendous amount of wear and tear. For this reason, it is important to consider whether it is time to repurpose them or replace them entirely at the end of the season. You should examine any pants or overalls, shirts, hats, boots, coats, aprons, and gloves that you wear outside. Maybe things could be patched and stitched to avoid throwing them away, but that depends on the extent of the damage.

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Your boots or shoes that you wear in the garden are an item that you should not ignore. When you’re planting your vegetables or clearing out a garden bed, the last thing you want is cold, wet and cramped feet. So if your boots have holes in them or the soles are completely worn out, it’s probably time for a new pair. The same goes for your gloves. Holy, thin gloves probably won’t protect your hands from sharp tools, fences, or thorns, or keep them warm and dry. The best gardening gloves should have a water-resistant exterior, fit well on your hands, have non-slip properties, and may have a cozy lining on the inside to keep your hands comfortable in the elements. You’ll look forward to spring when you can wear your new clothes in the garden and the old ones are long gone.

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If it’s been a while since you’ve sown your seeds, it’s a good idea to do so at the end of the season when you’ve finished cleaning up the garden. The date the seeds were packaged can often be found on the physical seed packaging in which they came. Most types of seeds remain viable for several years after the packaging date, with many vegetable seeds having a shelf life of three to five years. But that all depends on a few factors, including storage method and seed type. Seeds have a limited shelf life and as they age, their germination rates can drop significantly. Using older seeds can result in poor germination and sparse sowing and weaker harvests. You can do a simple germination test by placing the old seeds in a damp paper towel, securing it in a ziplock bag, and placing it in a warm place for a few days to see how many seeds germinate. If it’s less than 50%, it’s probably best to throw it away.

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When purchasing new seeds, make sure you get them from reputable suppliers who can guarantee high germination rates and healthier plants. Choosing heirloom and organic seed varieties can also provide superior flavor and better hardiness. If you don’t use all of the seeds the year you buy them, you can store them properly to extend their lifespan. Storing your seeds in a cool, dark, dry place, such as a refrigerator or a special seed storage container with moisture-absorbing packets, will ensure they are ready for planting at the beginning of the season.

Over time, your garden fertilizers can deteriorate and lose their potency and effectiveness. For this reason, it’s helpful to determine how long you’ve had your fertilizer and what condition it’s in to ensure your plants get the nutrients they need next year. Clumps, color changes, or an unpleasant odor may indicate that your fertilizer is depleted or contaminated. Although the fertilizer may still contain some nutrients, continued use of this fertilizer can potentially cause nutrient deficiencies in the plants in your garden, affecting their growth and overall health. The decomposed fertilizer can also contain harmful bacteria that can spoil the environment in which you use it. Therefore, evaluate your current fertilizer supply and discard any damaged fertilizers that are past their prime.

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Before purchasing nutrients, you should do a soil test to determine what nutrients your soil may be lacking. Based on the soil test results, you can choose the most appropriate type of fertilizer, be it a balanced fertilizer, an all-purpose formula, or a fertilizer tailored to specific plants such as flowers or vegetables. Organic material options such as compost or well-rotted manure are the optimal choice because they improve soil health and provide a slow-release source of nutrients. Synthetic fertilizers can also meet your nutrient needs, but often require more frequent application. Typically, you apply garden fertilizer in early spring before planting and also during the growing season if necessary. Starting the season with new and fresh fertilizer will help your garden thrive all year long.

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Many gardeners (perhaps you too) can attest to having an extensive collection of all types of plant pots. At the end of the season, as you clear your pots of plant debris, it may also be a good time to examine your collection and discard those that appear to have significant damage. Broken and cracked pots can sometimes harbor bacteria, fungi and pests that could threaten the health of future plants. You may be able to recycle any plastic pots at the local retailer or nursery where you purchased them. If you want to clean and disinfect a cracked ceramic or terracotta pot, you can either turn it on its side to continue using it as a planter or further break the pot down into smaller pieces. You can then use these shards in a decorative mosaic craft or place them at the bottom of a pot for better drainage. Also check out other ways to reuse planters inside and outside your home.

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You should clean all pots that you plan to reuse in the upcoming season, whether they are new or used. In used pots there is usually still soil left after the plants have been removed. The soil or remaining plant material can harbor bacteria and salts that can build up and discolor your pots. New pots also need to be thoroughly rinsed and disinfected. The pots could contain fungal or mold spores if they were previously stored in a humid environment, and the manufacturing process could also have left behind residues. If you clean your pots at the end of the season, they will be ready for use in the spring.