Use these fall and winter container gardening tips to keep your greenery paradise growing even in the cold months.
If you live in a cold region, you might think you need to give up container gardening once the temperatures drop, but did you know you could continue growing your plants and keep your garden growing in pots all winter long? Yes, there are plenty of ways to make your container garden last well. Some plants and perennials could thrive even in the most frigid temperature. Here are some of the fall and winter container gardening tips to help you get started!
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Add Cool-Looking and Cold-Loving Annuals: Combine different heights and forms to create a dramatic and beautiful container. Trust us, these cold-loving annuals will look good with a coating of snow.
Cold-loving annuals you should try: Flowering cabbages, Flowering kales, Annual grasses, Sages, Flaxes, Pansies, Creeping wirevine, and New Zealand flax.
Choose Cold-Hardy Perennials: Fall is the best season to experiment and try hardy perennials. Choose cold-loving perennials that are rated two zones colder than your region or area.
Cold-hardy perennials you should try are Coral bells, Sedum, Grasses, Smokebush, Lamb’s ear, Ivy, Creeping Jenny, and Hens and Chicks.
Choose Containers That Tolerate Cold: Make sure that your gardening containers could withstand the freezing temperature. Try containers made of fiberglass, metal, thick plastic, stone, concrete, and hollow logs. Avoid ceramic, terra cotta, and thin plastic containers.
Plan for Frost: Continue to water your container garden during the fall season, and stop fertilizing containers with perennials at least six to eight weeks before the first frost date. Once the temperature drop, protect your container garden by covering them with insulation blankets.
Replant Your Perennials as Needed: Replant your perennials into a garden bed before the soil freezes, or you could turn these perennials into houseplants. There are plenty of ways to save your perennials and help them survive. Garden experts advise doing some research on your plant to know the proper steps to take.
Understand What “Freezing” Means: There are three freezing categories according to Almanac.
- Light freeze: 29° to 32°F (1.7° to 0°C)—tender plants are killed.
- Moderate freeze: 25° to 28°F (3.9° to -2.2°C)—widely destructive to most vegetation.
- Severe freeze: 24°F (-4.4°C) and colder—heavy damage to most garden plants.
RELATED: First and Last Frost Dates by Location
Be Ruthless: We hate to say this, but if a plant doesn’t look great or it wouldn’t survive the cold temperature anymore, get rid of it. Dispose of it somewhere where it won’t affect your healthy plants.
Help your container garden survive and thrive all winter long with these useful fall and winter container gardening tips!
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Check out our Plant Care blog to learn more about different houseplants and tips on how to keep your plants alive and healthy.
Whatever houseplant you choose to transform your home into a lively oasis, you’ll definitely need a stylish planter to display your plant baby in. No matter what your style, there’s an Omysa planter that will be perfect with your garden and home’s décor. From ceramics to fiberstone, check out Omysa’s Shop and add it to your cart!
