How to Care for Your Garden Pots in Winter

Garden containers represent a significant investment, and maintaining their condition during winter requires practical steps. Exposure to low temperatures can cause water trapped in the container’s material to freeze and expand, leading to cracks and permanent damage. Additionally, fungi, insects and mineral salts may threaten new plants. This guide offers practical tips for winterizing garden containers so they’re ready for spring use.

How to Clean Your Garden Pots Before Storing

Thoroughly cleaning garden pots before storing them is essential to reduce the risk of pests and diseases lingering in containers. Fungal spores and insect eggs can survive on dirty pots, potentially infecting new plants in the spring. Mineral salts that accumulate around the rims can draw moisture away from roots, leading to stress or dehydration. Follow these steps to eliminate remaining threats and prepare your containers for the next planting season:

1. Remove all soil and plant debris from the inside and outside of each pot. If the soil is healthy, consider adding it to a garden bed, compost pile or storing it outdoors under a tarp.

2. Clean containers using warm, soapy water and a soft brush or cloth, completely removing all dirt before thoroughly rinsing.

3. Disinfect each pot by soaking it in a bleach solution for 20 to 30 minutes. The University of Wisconsin recommends using a 1.0-1.5% sodium hypochlorite solution by mixing one part household bleach to nine parts water. After soaking, rinse the pots well with clean water to remove all bleach residues, which can be toxic to new plants. Dry completely to prevent mold growth.

4. Remove mineral deposits from clay pots using a scouring pad, steel wool or a wire-bristle brush. After cleaning, soak the pots for up to 30 minutes in a solution of four parts water to one part vinegar. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry completely before storing. 

Important Safety Information

Like any bleach product, a 1.0-1.5% sodium hypochlorite solution must be handled with care:

• Avoid mixing it with other chemicals, such as acids or ammonia, because this can release toxic chlorine gas.

• Wear protective gear to prevent skin and eye exposure, which can cause irritation or burns.

• Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling the strong chlorine fumes. 

• Keep sanitized pots in a clean area to prevent recontamination.

The Importance of Storing Garden Pots

Winter-proofing garden pots helps prevent cracks. Materials like terracotta, thin-walled ceramic, plastic and unsealed wood can weaken, crack, or break during freeze-thaw cycles in winter. Pots made from porous materials like ceramic and terracotta are especially vulnerable to cracking. Taking steps to protect these pots can extend their lifespan.

How to Store Terracotta, Ceramic and Concrete Pots

To prevent cracking, keep terracotta and concrete pots in a dry, protected area such as a basement, garage, porch or shed where temperatures stay above freezing. Properly glazed ceramics can stay outdoors, but storing them inside or covering them helps extend their lifespan.

Avoid stacking heavy pots together, as they might break or get stuck. Place lighter pots inside heavier ones, using cardboard or foam dividers to prevent damage. Wrap terracotta and ceramic pots in newspaper before stacking to reduce the risk of breakage.

Pots with chips or cracks can trap moisture under the glaze and should be stored indoors or under cover.

How to Store Plastic Pots

Before bringing plastic pots inside for winter, check for cracks; recycle any damaged ones at your local garden center or municipal recycling facility that accepts plastics. Store pots upside down in a dry place or cover them with a tarp if left outdoors during winter. Storing them upside down prevents water from collecting inside and freezing, which can cause cracks, while covering with a tarp protects them from snow and ice.

How to Store Grow Bags

Microfibers in grow bags deteriorate quickly with exposure to moisture and sunlight. For winter storage, empty and thoroughly dry the bags, then keep them in a dark, dry place like a basement or garage. To deter mice, hang the bags by their handles on hooks.

How to Protect Pots Stored Outdoors

For larger pots that are hard to move indoors, insulating them outdoors is an option. Wrap containers with burlap, bubble wrap or blankets to shield them from cold temperatures. For smaller pots, building a wooden box around them can protect against damage from snow and ice. In all cases, make sure the pots have adequate drainage to prevent water buildup that could freeze and crack the bases.

With a little care and effort, your garden pots can survive winter undamaged and be ready for spring planting, saving you time and money.

References and Additional Reading:

• Clean and Disinfect Garden Tools and Containers, University of Minnesota Extension.

• How to Clean and Disinfect Plant Containers, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. 

• Plant Disease Pointers – March 2022: To Reuse Pots or Not – That is the Question, University of Wisconsin-Madison Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic.

Writer Biography

Elizabeth Lorentz gardens at Mears Park in downtown Saint Paul. She loves cooking

and growing native perennial plants and herbs. She is a Master Gardener with the

Ramsey County Master Garden Volunteer Program.

Image

Source: Unsplash

Photographer: Annie Spratt