![Make a clean sweep](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387284923/1679315955/articles/_IKhoh3mL1679393104532/MAKE-A-CLEAN-SWEEP.jpg)
EVERY so often, a garden presenter is shown washing pots. These pots will look suspiciously new, barely in need of cleaning. And of course they’re plastic, which is sort of important. You see, the notion of washing pots was introduced when all pots were earthenware (fired clay). Now it’s true, washing can remove or kill overwintering pests and (perhaps more importantly) their eggs.
But originally, pots were also washed before being used because this was one way to wet them through. Clay pots absorb (and evaporate) water, and if filled when bonedry they may suck water out of the compost instead of keeping this moist. As we seldom use clay pots nowadays, this is no longer a factor.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 25, 2023-Ausgabe von Amateur Gardening.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 25, 2023-Ausgabe von Amateur Gardening.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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![To dig or not to dig?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/srY9Bgqgg1696077695176/TO-DIG-OR-NOT-TO-DIG.jpg)
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
![The box ball blues](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/MSiW9S-3s1696077564674/THE-BOX-BALL-BLUES.jpg)
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
![Save your own seeds](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/gxMCpsinZ1696077466987/SAVE-YOUR-OWN-SEEDS.jpg)
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
![Strange sightings](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/ddasMklZP1696077318893/STRANGE-SIGHTINGS.jpg)
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
![A bolt from the blue!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/7nMhGuBLn1696077232526/A-BOLT-FROM-THE-BLUE.jpg)
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
![Winter moth prevention](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/uaMLSKKf61696077078880/WINTER-MOTH-PREVENTION.jpg)
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
![Create a winter container](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/Jd1C8L2Ax1696076912753/CREATE-A-WINTER-CONTAINER.jpg)
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
![Lightweight gardening tools](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/2M8ifxUcL1696076768203/LIGHTWEIGHT-GARDENING-TOOLS.jpg)
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
![Autumn price round-up](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/8CDp1hNq-1696076665397/AUTUMN-PRICE-ROUNDUP.jpg)
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
![Rudbeckias](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/n0XuNlGYP1696073214532/RUDBECKIAS.jpg)
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters