How To Protect Your Outdoor Planters Over Winter
When the cold months move in, your outdoor planters face harsh conditions that can crack pots, damage roots, and kill your plants. Keeping them safe isn't all that complicated, but it does take a little preparation. With a few practical steps, you can keep your planters in good shape and your plants ready to thrive again come spring. Here’s how to make sure they survive the season.
Bring Delicate Planters Indoors
Not all planters are made for winter. Ceramic, clay, and terracotta pots can absorb water, which freezes and expands, causing cracks. Move these fragile planters indoors, preferably somewhere where they can still get plenty of sunlight while also being protected from snow and ice. Even if the plants inside are hardy or can resist the cold, the containers themselves still need shelter.
Empty and Clean Unused Pots
If you don't plan to use certain planters over winter, empty them out completely. Soil left inside can hold moisture, which, like mentioned before, freezes, expands, and cracks. Give the pots a good cleaning with water and mild soap, then let them dry fully before storing. Stack them neatly in a sheltered spot so they’re ready for planting again in spring without any unpleasant surprises.
Bury Planters in the Ground
For large or heavy planters that can't be moved, burying them partway in the ground can actually help protect them. The earth around it acts as insulation, protecting both the container and the roots inside from freezing temperatures. Choose a spot that drains well and doesn’t collect standing water. Once buried, add a thick layer of mulch around the base to keep temperatures more consistent throughout winter.
Wrap for Protection
If moving or burying planters isn't an option, try wrapping them up. You can use burlap, bubble wrap, or even old blankets to insulate the sides. This helps reduce temperature swings that can cause cracking in the pot and root damage in the plant. Make sure the drainage holes stay open though, and if needed, add mulch to the top for extra insulation.
How To Water Before Frost
Overwatering before winter sets in can harm both plants and planters. You don't want too much moisture in the soil when temperatures start to dip below freezing, as that'll make a mess of your soil and almost certainly kill your plant. Well-drained soil and moderate moisture levels give your plants a better chance to stay healthy through dormancy and reduce stress on your containers.
Elevate Your Planters
Planters sitting directly on the ground can trap water under them, which will not only cause the aforementioned issues, but could also leave them stuck to the ground! Use pot feet, bricks, or wooden slats to raise them, even if just slightly. This keeps water from pooling beneath and allows air to circulate all around the container. A small lift can be the difference between a planter that survives winter and one that splits apart when the first deep freeze hits.
Protecting outdoor planters in winter can be finicky, sure, but it doesn't have to be complicated. A few thoughtful steps can keep both your containers and plants safe until spring. Whether you move them inside, bury them, or wrap them up, you’re helping them weather the season with less damage and stress. Come springtime, you’ll be glad you took the time to care for them properly.