Container Plants and Cold Weather

We’re writing this in the wake of a big cold snap affecting large parts of eastern North America. Here at the Gardzen Test Gardens in eastern North Carolina, we had an early freeze and even some unseasonal snow flurries. This left us scrambling to protect our outdoor plants, and while we were busy doing so we faced a series of questions about container plants and cold weather. What kind of care and preparation do potted plants and container plants need when it gets cold? How can you best protect them from a cold snap? And for those who prefer prevention to cure: which container plants can survive the winter outside?  There’s a lot to learn, it turns out, and we’ll pass along the basics now. Let’s dig in!

Protecting Container Plants from Cold

Let’s start with the obvious: the best way to protect small potted plants from a cold snap is to move them into a protected space. This could be a nice warm house, a garage or shed that’s protected from the wind, or a greenhouse of some sort. They can go back outside again when weather warms up and enjoy the sun until it gets cold again.

However, if you’re dealing with a long stretch of consistently cold weather, like winter arriving in earnest, it’s time to consider some other options for protection your container plants. Here are some suggestions, ideas, and possible options for keeping your potted plants safe during cold periods:

· For smaller potted plants and more tender varietals, it really is best to bring them indoors to a heated space for the winter. They still require regular care, but they’ll be much safe and healthier away from the cold. We find that it’s best to plan where you’ll put them and how you’ll arrange them before the cold comes. You don’t want to be scrambling last minute like we were this year!

· At the risk of some self promotion: if you need a quick solution for a relatively low-lying container plant, one of our Gardzen Grow Bags  or plant covers works very well. Just turn the grow bag upside down over the plant in question and anchor it place so the wind doesn’t carry it off. The breathable fabric provides some level of insulation from a cold snap, though we recommend caution if attempting this as a long term solution.

· For heartier plants, you have some additional options: greenhouses and cold frames are easy to make or purchase, generally affordable, and come in a variety of sizes depending on your needs. They can protect plants from freezing precipitation and wind, helping them over-winter a bit more easily. Don’t forget to water your greenhouse plants if they’re not getting exposed to rain, and make sure that the temperatures inside the greenhouse stay within their acceptable range.

· Row covers and grow tunnels are great options for in-ground garden beds, but they can work with container plants too! Find a spot in your yard and install the hoops and covers over your container plants and they’ll be fine through a cold snap.

· For larger container plants, or plants we have difficulty moving, it may make sense to provide them with shelter and protection in place. A tomato cage or plant support cage positioned over a container and then wrapped with burlap or and old blanket for insulation and covered with a plastic bag to keep it dry can go a long way towards helping plants survive in cold weather or during snow/ice storms. Bubble wrap works well too, we’ve found—just don’t pop all the bubbles, your plant needs them for insulation!

· You can also make use of an old gardening trick for container plants, especially larger/taller ones: lay the plant and container on the ground sideways and cover both the plant and container with something to keep it warm: straw, leaves, tree trunk wraps,  burlap, landscaping fabric, or boughs from evergreen trees are all good options. Pile it on thick and loose—not too heavy—and it will provide protection until warmer weather arrives. Make sure to cover both the plant and the container—root balls need to stay warm, too!

· Take notes in your garden journal about how your plants and your space handle cold weather. You’ll learn via observation which parts of your garden space offer more shelter, how different plants handle the conditions in your garden, and what you can do better or differently next time. Gardening is a learning process and we’re all still discovering new things as we go, so keep and open mind and let your garden teach you.

Year-Round Container Gardening

Changing weather is part of garden life, so we hope this blog helps you keep your plants healthy as the seasons change. For container gardeners, cold weather poses some additional considerations, and that’s OK! Container gardening can be a year-round activity as our plants always need care no matter what season we’re in. As always, this is a partial list of suggestions and ideas. There are a number of other options that folks use to protect their container plants from winter weather, and we’re always open to hearing new ones. If you have ideas or experiences to share—or questions you’d like to ask—get in touch in the comments or send us an email. Gardzen is all about community and we love to hear from you!