Throughout the spring, summer, and even fall, countless people opt to display their gorgeous blooms in garden pots that line their porches or patios.
But now that the cooler months are upon us, it’s time to winterize these containers so they live to see another beautiful season. planter pot flowers
Winter-proofing is an often forgotten-about task, yet it’s crucial to prevent your containers from cracking. Whether you have terracotta, plastic, thin-walled ceramic, or unsealed wood pots, they can all crack or even break after being exposed to the freezing and thawing patterns of winter.
Terracotta and ceramic pots are most likely to crack due to their porous nature. However, you can keep them safe and protected with only a few easy steps.
First, Clean Your Garden Pots Prior To Storing
To mitigate pests and diseases from festering in your containers during the cold months, be sure to clean them.
You should start by removing all the soil, and if it’s healthy, add it to some garden beds or your compost pile. Then, use a rag or soft brush to scrub the containers with warm, soapy water. Once you’re finished, rinse and repeat until all the dirt is gone.
And if you know that pests, fungus, or bacteria may be a problem, you can wash your pots with a bleach solution. Just mix one part bleach with nine parts water.
Finally, thoroughly dry your containers before you move on to storing them.
Marina – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
Where To Store Your Garden Pots
Terracotta and concrete containers can be stored in an area that’s dry and sheltered, like your garage, basement, or enclosed porch. It’s better if your chosen area’s temperatures don’t dip below freezing, so your pots aren’t at risk of cracking.
As for ceramic pots, if they’re properly glazed, they can be left outside without any coverings. Still, keep in mind that storing them inside or under a protective covering will help them stay in tip-top shape for longer.
Also, if you’re storing multiple pots, never stack heavy containers inside each other. Over time, they may settle, get stuck, or even break. Only lighter pots should be stored inside heavier ones, and foam or cardboard dividers can be placed in between to mitigate scratches or cracks.
Plastic pots, on the other hand, tend to be more budget-friendly. Even so, they should still be stored indoors to ensure ultimate longevity.
Start by assessing your plastic pots and determine whether any are already damaged. If so, you can recycle them and buy replacements in the spring. Any plastic pots that are still going strong can be stored upside down in your shed, greenhouse, garage, or basement.
Conversely, if you want to leave them outside, just cover them with a tarp to shield them from snow, rain, and direct sunlight.
But What About Heavy Pots?
You may have some larger gardening containers outside that are too large or heavy to be moved inside. That’s okay, and there are still measures you can take to safeguard them from the winter elements.
You could wrap the container with bubble wrap, burlap, or old blankets. This will insulate both the pot and the plant’s roots amidst freezing temperatures.
And if you have a smaller pot, you can build a wooden box to shelter it from ice and snow. If you choose to go this route, be mindful of drainage since you don’t want your pot to sit in any water that ultimately freezes and causes the base to crack.
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