Market Farming

[suzyr AT netos.com (Suzy Roth)]

> For those of you who grow from seed, I'm wondering about the necessity of
> sterilizing plug flats and other materials before reusing them. I've been
> dipping my used plug flats in a big bucket with a bit of bleach and lots of
> water in it, and I do the same with 6-packs and other pots I've gotten back
> to reuse. It is a bit of a pain to do this....I don't even like to wash
> dishes, let alone hundreds of pots, so I'm wondering if it is really
> necessary.

Lee,
I agree with everyone else's assessment about not needing to wash and 
bleach your plug flats. I gave that up after the first time I had to 
figure out where to dump the stuff! I also don't wash and bleach my 
pots or packs. I worked with a semi-organic nursery a few years ago 
and we never had any trouble reusing pots without washing them and 
I've continued that system in my business. Air circulation has been 
the most important factor in keeping the plants healthy (besides 
remembering to water them;-)

Suzy Roth
Thistle Ridge Farm & Gardens
Issaquah, WA