How to clear old soil from terracotta pots?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Who am I?, Sep 15, 2019.

  1. Who am I?

    Who am I? Gardener

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    I have several terracotta pots which are rammed with old soil and I would like to recycle them with fresh compost. Do I drill the old soil to loosen it or is there a better way without damaging the terracotta?
     
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    • Jack Sparrow

      Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

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      Would it not wash out?

      G.
       
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      • Victoria

        Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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        I hack in the soil with a trowel to loosen the soil then tip it up and knock it out. It works for me and it gets like rock here.
         
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        • Redwing

          Redwing Wild Gardener

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          Is this post for real? Sounds like a trolls question. Sorry but why not wet it and scoop it out with a trowel?
           
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          • Victoria

            Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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            I don't think Who am I? is a troll with 49 posts and terracotta pots can get flakey and crumble, believe me. I have lost many over the years.
             
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            • mazambo

              mazambo Forever Learning

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              Think I would go with mixture of what @Jack Sparrow & @Victoria have both said, trowel and loosen, get out what I can then wash out the rest.
               
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              • WeeTam

                WeeTam Total Gardener

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                I would soak them in a big bucket for a while. Sorted.
                 
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                • ARMANDII

                  ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                  Will all due respect, not all gardeners have the experience to solve certain gardening problems. Gardeners are still using pure soil to fill pots and troughs not realising that the soil will set like concrete, so why would people be knowledgeable about about basic solutions when they come across a problem for the first time.:doh:
                   
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                  • CanadianLori

                    CanadianLori Total Gardener

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                    I think soaking and a good stiff brush is a good way to attack the coating. Some might clean up quickly and the you'll have some stubborn ones. Patience and water are our friends.

                    Let us know how you make out.

                    Should have had my name as, been there done that, when it comes to the basics instead of Canadian Lori!:doh:
                     
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                    • Mike Allen

                      Mike Allen Total Gardener

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                      A tad inconsiderate, some comments. Not Gardeners Corner quality.

                      Terracotta pots are of value. Dried compacted compost inside them, does call for som TLC etc. To suddenly force a trowl, knife etc simply forces an expansion, thus exerting internal pressure and liable to split the pot. Try immersing the pots upside down in water. Being upside down, the compost will soften and gradually slide out.
                       
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                      • Redwing

                        Redwing Wild Gardener

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                        With all respect to you too @ARMANDII , the OP did suggest using a drill to loosen the soil.
                         
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                        • Who am I?

                          Who am I? Gardener

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                          Yes indeed redwing, the same drill I use to plant bulbs. It removes soil and avoids the problem Mike Allen mentions of adding pressure to the pot. Thank you all for your more constructive comments. I'll try soaking them in a binful of water and see if that will loosen the soil. Be happy redwing, it's a nice feeling.
                           
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                          • ARMANDII

                            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                            Which we all know, Redwing, is not the answer to the problem to getting soil that has the quality of concrete out of pots that gardeners want to reuse. A drill would probably do more harm to the pot and gardener should an accident occur, and that points to inexperience.:dunno:
                            May I suggest that it is far better to report suspicions of any member being a Troll to Admin via a pm or the standard method of clicking on the "report" link at the bottom of posts. Declaring Troll suspicions of a member on the Open Forum can be upsetting to a innocent new member and other members who disagree with that suspicion.
                             
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                            • Redwing

                              Redwing Wild Gardener

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                              Ok I now realise the OP is not a troll so sorry for the troll comment. In fairness to me if you read my post above, I did suggest wetting the soil and scooping it out with a trowel.

                              Sometimes I give long and detailed advice to novice gardeners based on years of gardening experience. (Over 40 years gardening, worked in propagation in a nursery for a few years and married to a farmer). Sometimes there is no thanks and the person asking the question is never to be heard from again. The original question in this case seemed suspicious to me. Anyone remember the watering lawn in winter in Scotland question? It reminded me of that.
                               
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                              • ARMANDII

                                ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                                I've always realised that you are an experienced gardener, Redwing, and that you are a valuable member of the GC Gang able to give great advice to new and inexperienced gardeners.


                                Unfortunately, that is the nature of the Beast, Redwing:dunno: I think nearly all of our experienced members have often given advice and never been thanked for it but have just "shrugged their shoulders", without even thinking that thanks, although nice to receive was necessary and it hasn't stopped them from giving good advice to the next inexperienced gardner asking a question, who will most probably thank them

                                I really do understand why you were suspicious and, believe me, we're really grateful for members who keep a sharp eye out for would be Trolls but it can offend a new member asking a innocent question being accused of being a Troll and cause them to disappear thinking GC is not the friendly and helpful Forum it really is.:wallbanging: So, to save offence to anyone that is why, in the case of the suspicion a member being Troll, a pm to Admin or clicking on the Report link is the best way to go.
                                 
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