It is November, and our growing season here in Flagstaff is over. Now is the best time to get my tomato-growing containers ready for next spring. Tomato diseases can remain in the soil for up to three years, re-infecting new plants, so it is best to change out the soil and disinfect the containers annually. I remove all the old potting soil from the containers and dump it onto an area of the garden where I will not be growing any nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes, etc.)
The containers are then washed with soap and water, rinsed, scrubbed with a diluted bleach solution, thoroughly rinsed again, and allowed to dry in the sun. They are now ready for new soil.
Contributed by Jim Mast