How to winterize container gardens?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Winterizing container gardens can help protect plants from freezing temperatures (and prepare us for spring!). Begin when temperatures drop below 45°F (7°C. Pot-grown perennials need to be ready for winter since their roots have no permanent connection to the ground. Winterizing container gardens can prevent cracked pots or the death of plants.
Plant Protection
- Move frost-sensitive plants to garages or indoors
- Group pots together against walls for wind protection
- Cover with burlap during extreme cold snaps
- Reduce watering to monthly checks
Container Care
- Wrap ceramic pots in bubble wrap insulation
- Elevate containers on feet to prevent ground freeze contact
- Clean with vinegar solution before storage
- Store empty containers upside down to avoid water pooling
Evergreens and other hardy plants can be left outdoors in an insulated condition. Plunge the pots in mounds of leaves or other litter, so that they are quite covered except at the top, or wrap shrubs in burlap, giving room for air to circulate. Please give them a thorough soaking with the hose before the ground freezes, for dehydration is often a greater killer than cold in dormant plants.
Prepare for spring during the winter months by checking all stored pots for cracks that might need repairs. Reflect on your crop rotation, following the notes you took from last season. Order any seeds to start in the greenhouse or indoors. This quiet time of year can be a golden opportunity for planning next year's garden.
My rosemary survived The winters in Chicago using these methods: I wrap the pot in insulation material and place it against the foundation of my house. Monthly, perhaps, I water sparingly when the soil thaws a bit. I've had my plant now for five years and it is doing very well, winterizing does work.
Read the full article: 10 Essential Container Gardening Tips for Beginners
