green garden pots

[scissor sis]

in the summer i re designed my garden with a mexican feel with lots of terracotta and red tones including terracotta plant pots, but now its winter they all seem to be going green!!!

what can i do to stop this from happening?

[Newt]

Hi Scissor Sis,
I realize that those of us on the other side of the pond speak English differently, but when you say, "...they all seem to be going green!!!" Do you mean that there is something green growing ON them? If so, that would probably be an algae. It's something many of us try and get to happen by painting on yogurt or buttermilk to make them look aged.

If that is what is happening and the pots are glazed, you can use a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water and carefully wash the outside of the pots. Be sure and wear gloves, eye protection and old clothes as the bleach can remove the color from your clothes.

If the pots are porus terracotta and the plants are still in them, try using a little soapy water and a stiff brush to wash the outside. If the plants are removed from the terracotta pots you can use the bleach solution and either soak them or just wash the exterior.

Newt

[greenfingers]

I wash my pots with a power pressure washer, however you wash them you will probably have to do it again in the Spring its just the dampness of Winter that makes algae build up.

[smudge]

I'm the opposite. When I buy new pots, I paint natural yoghurt on them to make them look older & more established. We're never satisfied!

[greenfingers]

Depends on the pots and where I want to place them , I have some pre - WW2 terracotta pots which belonged to my Grandfather and they have that wonderful white aged look, I would never wash them.