Keep your containers looking good all winter
◼ With a bit of care, our autumn pots, as well as most other planted containers, can be successfully brought through winter to be in the best shape possible as spring arrives. A quality frost-proof pot capable of surviving an unpredictable British winter, as well as withstanding impacts, without cracking is a wise starting point. The saying ‘you get what you pay for’ is appropriate and so, although not cheap, a well-made pot is an investment that should last a lifetime.
◼ If your pots aren’t frost-proof, or you are not sure, it makes sense either to move them to as sheltered a place as possible, or to use sacking or bubble wrap to insulate them during very cold periods. Better still, do both. Although many plants will survive short periods in compost that is frozen solid, wrapping the pots will also help prevent such stress. Lay horticultural fleece over the tops of plants liable to frost damage but try not to leave it on longer than necessary as this restricts air circulation. If you have several pots, try huddling them tightly together in a community so that they offer some protection to each other.
◼ Plants need much less water in winter than in other seasons, and compost dries out much more slowly, but don’t assume watering to be unnecessary. It’s best to check at least weekly. During prolonged dry periods, unseasonably warm or especially windy conditions containers can still dry out: evergreens, particularly, will continue to draw moisture to replace that lost through their leaves. Conversely, plants that are waterlogged will quickly look sad and are more difficult to revive than those that have dried out a little, so it is better to err on the side of caution to avoid over-watering. Try not to water at all if especially low temperatures are forecast. Raising pots off the ground, whether on bricks, blocks of wood or purpose-made pot feet will also help ensure the compost drains properly.
◼ General maintenance jobs such as deadheading and removing dying or damaged leaves can be done much less frequently in winter, but still remember to do so at regular intervals.
◼ Finally, when planting pots for autumn and winter, consider extending their period of interest by dropping in a few spring bulbs at planting time. The average pot won’t need many – perhaps a few dwarf irises, grape hyacinths or miniature narcissi.