Winter Garden Essentials: Protecting Pots, Caring for Your Lawn and More...

Terracotta Pots

Terracotta pots are a mainstay of English gardens. Attractive and ornate, they age beautifully with each season and are just perfect as containers for displaying spring and summer bedding flowers as well as favourite perennials. But the disadvantage of these pots is they are prone to cracking in cold weather which can render them unsightly and may be expensive to replace.

Terracotta is a porous material meaning the pots absorb water from the moist soil inside them. That has undoubted benefits during the hotter months but when the temperature plummets in winter, the soil and moisture in the pot can freeze. The freezing water then expands which can cause pots to crack.

However, there are some simple steps you can take to protect your pots to make sure they endure year after year.

The first tip is to not put your plants directly into a terracotta pot. Instead, plant them in a plastic container which can then be placed neatly inside. Then when the water in the soil expands when it freezes, it puts pressure on the plastic container which can endure it and leave your terracotta pot intact.

Other suggestions include lining your terracotta pot with bubble wrap so when the moisture in the soil freezes and expands, the bubble wrap will cushion the pot and prevent it from cracking. Alternatively, you can use a sealant so the pot doesn’t crack or, if you can, move it inside to a warmer position so the water in the soil does not freeze.

If you find any vintage pots for sale, they could well be worth buying. After all, if they have already survived a number of winters, it suggests they are more resilient and less likely to crack.

Caring For Your Lawn

Another staple of the garden which needs attention during the winter is your lawn. Of course, it’s too cold for the grass to grow as quickly as it would in the spring, but you still need to take action to ensure it stays healthy in the meantime.

Fallen leaves prevent sunlight from reaching the grass, while decomposing leaves can lead to disease and fungi, so raking them up is essential. We have a range of robust rakes for sale which will keep your lawn in great condition.

Bird Feeders

For the environmental health of your garden, spare a thought for wildlife. Birds need more energy to stay warm during the winter so provide a supply of high-energy food sources such as suet and fat balls. Sunflower seeds are rich in protein and unsaturated fats while nyjer seeds provide fat and oil. Other food for birds to feast on include peanuts, breadcrumbs, rice, cereals and cheese.

Different types of birds favour different feeders – tube feeders are good for small seeds which are enjoyed by smaller birds while many larger birds enjoy feeding from a platform. Also try to check the food supply regularly, as it can rot, so be aware you might need to throw some away if it degrades. If you can, ensure there is always a supply of fresh water for the birds to drink – including checking to ensure water in their baths or bowls has not frozen over.

Anyone wanting more information about our range of beautiful pots or resilient gardening tools, can speak to our knowledge team on your next visit, or email us at [email protected].