Im really bad about changing out the soil in my pots, although this year I dumped into the lasagna beds and started with fresh. Some years I ammend, some I dont. I buy the cheap bags of mushroom compost at walmart, there about 1.77 a bag and put a few cups and mix with the old soil. Out door pots, if I have he saucers great, as it does help retain moisture in the summer, I keep mine filled, but if I dont have them, of course I dont use them.

Nichole
Yes, you can add alot of compost to the pots. Even go as much as half soil half compost. I use half last years soil with half compost and it works out well. I used to fill the bottom of the pots with either broken shards or pebbles, it was supposed to help with drainage, now I have found out that its really not necessary.. Hope that helps.
Alberta

I often re-use old soil. Sometimes I amend it, sometimes I don't. I always dig out the old roots and then break it up and stir it around and thoroughly water and let drain before planting in it again. I also fertilize my container plants at least a few times during the season.
I fill the bottoms of my larger containers with cut up water bottles and milk jugs. 1. don't have to use as much soil 2. good for drainage 3. not nearly as heavy so much easier to move around which I do continuously throughout the summer. If I am growing something that gets top heavy (i.e. elephant ears) then I don't use as many bottles for drainage since the weight of the soil will keep them from toppling over.
As for saucers, to me it depends on what size the pot is and where my pots are sitting. I use them for my smaller pots that are likely to dry up faster and I use them for my larger pots more to keep the water intact where I don't want the mess of draining than I do to keep the pots hydrated. We have a lot of rock beds surrounding our house and I set pots on top of them so I don't use as many saucers since the water will just drain right into the rock.
Hope this helps. I'm not an expert by any means but have had a fair amount of success with what I've done in the past. Good luck to you and be sure to show us pictures of your containers!

I use small water or pop bottles (12 or 16 oz) in the bottom of large containers just to make them lighter.

In wet weather like we're having now, I don't use saucers. I use them in the hot, dry summer weather and when we go out of town, to help minimize water needs.

Karen

- I've been taught in the past that for outside pots - especially big ones - it is necessary to place broken dishes or gravel at the bottom of the pot. I've used styrofoam popcorn for packaging to do this too. Is this really necessary?

No, it's not really necessary, as long as the pot drains well .... and you don't plan to move the pot around too much. They can get heavy when full of wet soil. People use stuff in the bottoms of pots for a number of reasons - portability, drainage, saving $$ on soil. If you're using the styrofoam peanuts, make sure they're the kind that don't dissolve with moisture.

- Are saucers below the pots necessary too? Last year we had so much rain I had to constantly go around and empty those saucers.

They're not necessary either, unless you're concerned about water damage to wooden decks and such. Generally, I don't use them, but I do have a few pots with saucers, only because water runs out of them just as fast as I put it in. Drainage holes are too big, I guess.

- Can you reuse the soil in a container from the previous year?

A lot of folk who garden in containers say no, don't reuse the soil, but I do. It's hard enough hauling that stuff up here to begin with, and potting mix is not exactly dirt-cheap. Unless the particular pot of soil previously held a diseased or really buggy plant, I'll toss the top inch or two of the soil and mix in a little fresh soil, or compost. Mix in some worm castings, or bat guano, or Osmocote, and we're good to go. Works for me.

- What about barrels... I obviously can't change the soil in there - OK, I could, but I have other priorities - so how do I amend it? Can I put Compost in there?

Don't have any experience with barrels, but they are just really big pots, right? Treat them the same.

We'll be waiting for the pics ....

PV

I have a container that has been self sowing over the last 5 years,I havent replaced the soil,because there hasnt been a need too just yet. There is Pink Verbena,White Alyssum,Blue for get me not and Baby's breath,The BB was added last year,but the others were original,here is a pic of it's progress so far this year...
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I do believe I see a coneflower popping up in there too...will have to get to that! :)

Nichole,
I do a lot of containers and hanging baskets. If they are on my deck I use the caps from 2 liter soda bottles placed in a circle to set the pots on so they don't rot the deck with their moisture. On my concrete patio I use nothing underneath.
Like PV I reuse my soil, adding fertilizer beads to keep the plants fed. I used to put packing peanuts in the bottom of my containers but now use plastic water bottles with a circle of landscape cloth on top then the Miracle Grow. I do it because that is all the soil I need for my plants to survive the summer. It saves money. And I use some SW plants in my containers and hanging baskets: ivy geranium, Swan River Daisies, vining snapdragons and Lobelia. The rest of the plants I use were wintered over under lights.
Let's see pictures of yours when the are in their blooming frenzy.
Tina

Great stuff everyone!

I won't be changing the soil anymore. :O) I like that one! Just add a bit of fresh stuff and pump it up and there you go. Nice!

Tina,

It's nice to see you again! We have missed you. I really like your idea of the pop bottle caps under the pots to protect the deck. I now have a use for them. :O) A lot less expensive than other whatch-a-ma-callits they sell for a fortune at the stores. Nice to get them as gifts, but I can bring myself to spend that kind of $$ for something that's going to be under a pot for the season.

Another thing I've used is wooden racks to put hot pots and such on in the kitchen. I find them at thrift stores.

I did use newpaper for the bottom of pots before, but it wicks out the water and potatoe bugs get in it by the truckload. They loved the dark and moist home I created for them.

Keep 'em coming if you have more ideas folks. I'm sure we can all benefit from those little tidbits!

I use the same soil every year and do nothing. But then, I'm one tough cookie.