Overwintering Containers

When overwintering a plant in a container it is best to choose a plant that will be hardy. The rule of thumb is to choose a plant that is two zones hardier than the climate zone you live in. The reason for this is that container plants will freeze harder than plants in the ground. The growing media in the containers will also thaw out quicker than the ground. Which leads to multiple freeze/thaw cycles throughout the winter and this is especially hard on plants. Plants in the ground benefit from the sheer mass of the surrounding soil that insulates it.

If you know you are going to leave your pot sitting outside all winter you should choose a container that won't break. Clay, glazed and porcelain pots are susceptible to breaking in the winter. Choose a pot that is plastic, metal, composite and wood.

They will need some care during the winter. Water them a little but do not fertilize them during the winter. Don’t overwater them as they aren’t actively growing and don’t need that much. The water is just to keep the roots from drying out too much. I would err on the side of too dry rather than too wet. If you keep it too wet the plant could get root rot and die.

For marginally hardy plants, it is best to overwinter them in an unheated garage or other location. Somewhere cool and where it will not undergo freeze/thaw cycles. The location can be dark or have some light. Also, don’t allow the soil to dry out completely. Another option is to dig a hole in the ground and place your container in there.

To learn more visit our workshop page or Facebook page. Our next workshop on Overwintering Containers is October 15, 2022. See our Facebook page for more details.