Tulirose, like you and Bobbi, we do a bit of all three. Most of the time we only remove the plant material and compost it (except if it's diseased, then it goes in the garbage). This empties them about halfway and we add more soilless container mix in the spring. Probably only a third of our containers get completely emptied each fall.
I do empty my vegggie containers every year.
Now, having said that, that means that our containers don't get thoroughly cleaned every year, which is often recommended by the experts, especially if you aren't using container mix.
It seems to be one of those...whatever you have time for, or feel most comfortable doing...kind of things.
I'm sorry if this didn't help you out.
Speaking of containers, here's another tip, although it's more useful for the spring.
Don't be intimidated by large containers, thinking that they will need tons of soil to fill them. Use an empty plastic nursery pot upside down inside the container, and then add your soil.
Bobbi, you were at MNSSHP? I hope you had a fun time!!
I do empty my vegggie containers every year.
Now, having said that, that means that our containers don't get thoroughly cleaned every year, which is often recommended by the experts, especially if you aren't using container mix.
It seems to be one of those...whatever you have time for, or feel most comfortable doing...kind of things.
I'm sorry if this didn't help you out.
Speaking of containers, here's another tip, although it's more useful for the spring.
Don't be intimidated by large containers, thinking that they will need tons of soil to fill them. Use an empty plastic nursery pot upside down inside the container, and then add your soil.
Bobbi, you were at MNSSHP? I hope you had a fun time!!