Using Outdoor Planters in Winter
Winter doesn’t mean that you can’t have plants in your yard, however, like some plants, not all large outdoor planters are robust enough to survive the winter if left outside.
Even though some pots are labelled by the manufacturer as being ‘frost-proof’, it's best to assume the materials are actually only ‘frost-proof’ in particularly mild temperature ranges and circumstances. Being by the Atlantic ocean, most of the British Isles including western parts of Scotland and England tend to be the windiest, yet mildest and wettest regions in the UK.
Winter-proofing your outdoor planters
An important way of protecting your outdoor planters is to give them a good clean, unless you plan for them to remain planted. If so, they should be entirely covered with bubble wrap to help insulate both the pot and the roots of the plant. If you plan on leaving your plant pots outside, use bricks, pot feet, or pieces of wood to keep them elevated off the ground.
When choosing from different types of outdoor planters make sure that they are made of materials able to withstand freezing and thawing. At Getpotted.com online shop you can buy outdoor flower pots for your winter garden in the UK varying in price, size, shape, and colour. Always remember to flip empty containers over when not in use (drainage holes up).
Cold weather-tolerant outdoor planters
Planters made from modern substances, like fibreglass, fiberstone, and non-porous plastic composites can safely remain outside over winter. Fiberstone planters are made from a mix of limestone and fibreglass, which forms a material that looks like stone but weighs a fraction of the natural material. Fiberstone plant pots are highly resistant and will endure extremes in temperature throughout the year.
Plastic pots are less frost-tolerant than fiberstone versions, yet they are still much sturdier than those made of natural materials. Both fiberstone planters and plastic planters are perfect for leaving outdoors, however, some plastic pots do require more care as neglect can cause them to crack as freezing soil expands as it freezes inside them during cold weather. Once your plastic flower boxes are emptied, washed, and dried, they can be stored outside and be able to better endure temperature changes without difficulty.
Outdoor planters that require TLC
Clay planters cannot be stored outside as they are porous and do absorb some moisture. During the winter, moisture freezes and expands between the clay pores, which makes them prone to cracking. Glazed planters, which are usually fired at higher temperatures, tend to withstand freezing better than unglazed ones, but only if the glazed pot was treated inside and out. It is advisable to keep clay flower pots indoors, or anywhere that they won't encounter temperatures below freezing. Keep them well and use them next season for your new planting ideas.
