With winter cold upon us, Over Winterizing Planters is of interest to gardeners or anyone who has large planters. This year, after spending $35 on one large planting container, I don’t it to break over the wintertime. This large planter is also extremely heavy to move about.
Initially, I had an andromeda plant in this container but I thought the plant would grow better in the soil, so I transplanted it.
So, I signed up for an online seminar to learn more about the subject. Here is what I learned.
This large container has a flowerless mum in it.
It was time to remove it and over winterize the planter.
First of all, this seminar information applies to those living in Climate Zone 7, where the winter season can be a little cold. If you live in a warmer or colder climate zone, things would be different.
Over Winterizing Planters Information
Overwintering containers is a method of protecting containers with a variety of materials.
One person spoke about wrapping her containers first in bubble wrap and then in burlap to make them look “pretty” while protecting them.
What causes containers to break is freezing water in the the plant’s soil. The water expands and contracts. For my planter I removed the spent plant and the, also, the potting soil.
I, also, swept up all the leaves behind the planter.
This photograph shows that the spent plant and the potting soil was removed for over winterizing the container.
According to the seminar, what is important is to get the planter off the patio or ground by using risers or pot feet. The planter should never sit in freezing water. Also, during the wintertime, do not use saucers to catch the water. Root rot can set in when plants roots are too wet. Plus, planters can break when exposed to freezing water. Some people also use bricks or pavers to keep the planters up and off the patio. What is important is to keep the drainage holes open.
I didn’t want to spend too much money on this project, so I went to a resell shop and purchased several tiles pieces for about a dollar.
My final step was to cover this large planter with a plastic lid.
However, some finely painted planters or thin clay planters might not be suitable for outdoor use at all. One person in the seminar talked about having empty terracotta planters stored over winter in a plastic covered bin. All of these planters broke over winter. It was thought that perhaps they were made too thin and only for indoor use.
If you are wintering a plant outside, be sure that the soil has good draining.
There are also covers one can buy to cover bird baths and fountains over winter.
If you don’t want to use planter feet, there are also roller type holders to place under your planters. Rollers also make it easier to move the plant around plus keep the drainage holes open.
Another person talked about buying a couple bags of mulch to place around his large containers to keep the snow off of them. Then in the spring, he opens the mulch and uses it in his garden.
However, the best way to store over winterize planters is to move them indoors or to the garden shed. However, containers with live plants or for very large containers, this might not be possible.
Ending Notes
These are many ways to winterize planters and to keep them from breaking over cold and freezing days.
Hopefully, my large planter will make it to spring and not crack. The nights are already seeing freezing temperatures, so I am glad my planters are ready.
I’ll post an update in the spring on this topic.