Learn How to Properly Winterize Ceramic Pots
There are various steps that you can take to prevent your ceramic pots from cracking when winter whips through the garden. The end goal is eliminating any possibility of water collecting in the containers causing cracks. You can use a penetrating sealer like the one used on swimming pools and slate floors to seal the pot.
People don’t know that planters should be winterized when the temperatures start dropping. You can take the planter indoors in a safe environment like a shed or garage if it’s light enough. You can store them there free from the thawing and freezing cycle that occurs when it rains, snows, or ice collects in the containers.
If the ceramic pots are bulky or large and can’t be carried indoors, you can use the following winterization methods to ensure they are safe. Raise the planter off the ground if you must leave it outside. In this case, use shims of wood or 2×4’s.
Remember not to cover the planter’s drainage holes. Raising it off the ground usually prevents cast stone containers from potentially freezing on the surface causing them to crack as a result. For those who want a visually stimulating view when they raise the planters off the ground can go for pot risers. They are solid cast stone pieces with detailing and can be stained in a similar finish as the planters and can stay in one place all year round.
When planting in the containers every season, you can place small stones or pebbles at the bottom. You will need less soil and it also allows for adequate drainage.
Once you place the pebbles at the bottom of the planter, you can put your plants then fill the top part with soil. This helps prevent water from collecting inside causing the container to expand resulting in cracks or breaks.
Treat ceramic pots differently as often as you can since they are fragile than their cast stone counterparts. Leaving these containers outside on freezing temperatures increases the risk of breaking. Follow the afore-mentioned steps if you can’t move them. It’s always advisable to put in extra effort when it comes to moving the ceramic planters.
You can leave lightweight ceramic pots like polyethylene or fiberglass outside in different winter elements. However, you need to take precautions just like anything else left out in the weather such as keeping them off the ground to prevent water from collecting inside.
If you carefully follow all these steps, you will winterize your ceramic pots and keep them safe until the next season. However, a lot depends on the quality of the ceramic pot. It would also help to know the pot’s absorption rate and if it’s high-fired to lower the risk of cracking in freezing temperatures.
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