Before you re-use a clay pot you've stored over the winter, give it a good cleaning by plunging it into a washtub of water and scrubbing it with a brush (figure A ). If you've stored pots outdoors, put on gloves before you handle them -- they might harbor spiders. And if you're buying all new clay pots, make sure to submerge them in water before you plant. That way, the pot won't suck water from the soil.
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