How to winter over perennials in pots?
by
Jean Hood
+3
I planted perennials in pots this year because the maintenance team at my apartment complex uses weed kill all around the property. I live in Burlington, Vermont. Do I leave them out , move them to a more sheltered spot or bring them inside?
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Because they're in pots they won't be as well insulated as perennials in the ground. I would cover them with leaves and mulch etc to help them through the winter. You could also just bring them inside and keep them somewhere cool in your home.
If pots are small, I would think that your winters would be too harsh. Many plants in containers should be marked as withstanding 3 zones
colder than that of Burlington. Safest best would be to bring indoors.
Bring them in. Plants in pots will freeze. If you have a porch, patio, balcony, group them together and cover. Or if you have a garage that doesn't freeze, they will be safe in there. They still need light and water, so bring out on sunny days.
I move mine to a sheltered spot. But it is way colder in Vermont.
What do you think of wrapping the pots in strips of old wool blankets as well as heavy leaf mulching on top? Also, if you keep them well-watered, the water freezes at 32* and the roots won't get any colder. (I live in the southwest, but we do get into the zero to 20's range sometimes. If we get a late frost, while the apricot trees are in bloom, we will use a fine spray of water on them overnight and that can save the fruit.)
wrap in burlap to protect from cold weather and allows them to breathe