Problem with my garden pots!

I would be really grateful of any advice, this is my first post.

I am in a new build property, and started growing a few plants last summer as well as adding some plugs and re-potting some plants.

I am finding that several of my pots are developing an unsightly mould/markings on the sides of the pots. It is not happening to all of them, and they are not over-watered.

Does anyone know what I can do to prevent this as in a newer, non rustic looking garden, it is becoming quite an eyesore. It is such work to keep scrubbing the pots to get it off!

Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome talksr
The compost and pots are too wet....not good at this, dormant, time of year. Remove the saucer ...you can replace in late spring/summer

 

Thank you. I did think about this, and ignore the water in the saucer, they were all really dry so I gave them a drink tonight, but even in the summer last year, I was getting this and the saucers were empty.
I will try what you suggest though and take them away, but how about with ones like this which do not have any saucers?

 

Over winter most plants need to be kept on the dry side
Are pots in shade too? Is the area damp? Perhaps move the pots further away from the wall to create a more “airy” environment around plants and pots
A mild bleach or mould removing spray around pots will eradicate the unsightly green mould

 

In addition to what @Verdun says, terracotta pots, being porous, will grow moss and stuff on the outside if the compost is rich and/or frequently fed.

 

Hi

The white deposits are calcium, minerals and fertilizers which over the year have come through the pot when watering etc causes no harm just may look unsightly

Spruce

 

If youre after a cleaner look I would buy glazed pots and not terracotta. Much easier to keep clean.

I like the salt and moss on the outside of terracotta - it makes the pot less obvious but I can see that this would jar with a modern design

 

I like the clean look of pots....the wisdom of applying milk, etc., to help algae form is lost on me.

 

I'm with @andrews on this. Shiny new pots just don't look right outdoors to me. Too artificial .

 

I too like the mossy calcium look.

 

I'm with the natural look on terracotta pots too. If you really must avoid it use glazed pots as previously stated.

 

I like the seasoned look too rather than clean new looking. However I'm sure they would clean up and you could probably coat them with something to seal them. Patio sealant or perhaps a waterproof PVA might do it.

 

Clean pots and containers for me.....no moss, algae etc.
However, a neighbour of mine has everything “natural” in her front garden; quirky and random, moss covered containers, bits of log, plastic “ornaments” and more. It looks good in a quirky way
We all garden in our unique way...room for us all

 

I've got frost proof glazed ceramic pots and these don't seem to discolour. My garden is like Verdun's neighbour but probably more so as it's a wildlife garden .