Planter Winterizing Tips:
If a planter is light enough, you can often bring it indoors in a safe environment, such as the garage or shed. Planters can be stored here, free of the freeze-thaw cycle that will occur if rain, snow, or ice collect in them. In the event that your planters are too large or heavy to be brought indoors, we suggest the following winterization methods to ensure planter safety.
We suggest raising it off the ground if a planter must be left outside. This can be done using shims of wood or even 2x4s. It is important to note that you should ensure that you do not cover the drainage hole in the planter. Raising it off the ground prevents the cast stone planters from potentially freezing onto the ground, which can cause cracking in the planters. If you would like a more visually stimulating way to raise your planters off of the ground, most companies also sell pot risers. These solid decorative cast stone pieces can be stained in the same finish as your planter and left in place year-round.
When planting your containers each season, pebbles or small stones are also suggested to be placed at the bottom of planters. This allows for drainage and has the added benefit of needing less soil. Once the pebbles are in place at the bottom of the planters, planters can be placed inside them and then finished off by filling the planter to the very top brim with potting soil. This prevents water from collecting and expanding the planters, leading to cracks.
Ceramic planters should be treated differently whenever possible. Ceramic planters are more fragile than cast stone planters. Leaving them outside during freezing temperatures puts them at a greater breaking risk. If you absolutely must leave your ceramic planters outside, we advise following the steps above. Putting a bit of extra effort into moving ceramic planters is always recommended. Lightweight planters such as fiberglass or polyethylene can be left out in the winter elements, but just like anything left out in the weather, it is suggested that you take as many precautions as possible to bring them off the ground and lessen the potential for water to collect inside them.
By following these steps, you will take the precautionary measures to help your planters through the winter and bring them into the next season.