I use a power washer on mine .... (when they are empty!) ... on a summers day when they can dry well.
I then coat them with a clear chiminea paint I got from B&Q in the reduced bin a couple of years ago. I do this with some of the small, cheap pots and they seem to last much longer.
Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
This is the stuff I use ... but it only cost me £2 in the bargain bin at B&Q. It is microporous so the surface of the pots can breathe, but once applied water just seems to bounce off.
I powerwash the pots, then give them a few days in the airing cupboard to totally dry out and then apply. I've done most of my pots now and don't expect to need to use it again .. so I'm thinking of doing my rhubarb forcer and strawberry pots as there's still plenty left.
Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
Thanks for the replies. Previously the white stuff (horticultural term) normally turns green, and looks unsightly. Ive gave them a really good scrub with Jeyes recently so hopefully it is now just efflorescence as suggested. The pots are raised off the ground already.
For those that don't sleep well, I've recently purchased a Devon Duvets wool mattress topper which has really helped me. Very comfy. But not cheap!!
Posts
I use a power washer on mine .... (when they are empty!) ... on a summers day when they can dry well.
I then coat them with a clear chiminea paint I got from B&Q in the reduced bin a couple of years ago. I do this with some of the small, cheap pots and they seem to last much longer.
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
They do have 56 small pots for £30 though, Dove, which is much better value. New terracotta pots aren't cheap either.
What's chiminea paint, Bee?
Hi Steve,
This is the stuff I use ... but it only cost me £2 in the bargain bin at B&Q. It is microporous so the surface of the pots can breathe, but once applied water just seems to bounce off.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hacienda-Chimseal-Clay-Sealer-Chimeneas/dp/B003OD8QVA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447855183&sr=8-1&keywords=la+hacienda+chimseal
I powerwash the pots, then give them a few days in the airing cupboard to totally dry out and then apply. I've done most of my pots now and don't expect to need to use it again .. so I'm thinking of doing my rhubarb forcer and strawberry pots as there's still plenty left.
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
Thanks for the replies. Previously the white stuff (horticultural term) normally turns green, and looks unsightly. Ive gave them a really good scrub with Jeyes recently so hopefully it is now just efflorescence as suggested. The pots are raised off the ground already.
For those that don't sleep well, I've recently purchased a Devon Duvets wool mattress topper which has really helped me. Very comfy. But not cheap!!
Can it block out the noise of gales?
Chinminea? Looks like an outdoor...er...room heater. Sounds like good stuff, that paint though.
If you stand still in Devon for 5 minutes you start to turn green: after 10, lichen start growing.
I only wash my white van when the green gets too embarrassing.