Winterizing Terra - Cotta

[Nyboy]

This spring I bought 2 terra-cotta pots about the size of half wine barrels. Each has a tree planted in it and are very heavy. Somewhere in back of my mind, there was a waterproofing spray for terra -cotta that allowed it to be left out all winter. Does anyone know of a product that will winterize pots ? Or do I need to call in the muscle.

 

[thistlebloom]

Call in the muscle.

 

[thistlebloom]

You may be able to waterproof the outside of the terra cotta, but the soil inside is moist and that is going to mean the pottery is moist also, and you know what happens to water when it freezes....broken dreams.

The only pots I'm aware of that are truly winter proof are the ones that have been fired 7 times. They're a lot more expensive, but there is no expansion and contraction in the little pores of clay so they hold up to frozen soil left inside.

 

[PhilaGardener]

I've wrapped the top in plastic in time to let the soil dry before it gets too cold and gotten away with it. Bone dry soil won't expand when temps drop below freezing. I also think having perlite in the planting medium can help by providing some "give". But is sounds like you have trees in them . . .

 

[baymule]

Frozen broken pots? Seriously? Gheesh. Conversations like this make me realize that I am so blessed......ok......maybe winter only. Summer--not so much!

 

[thistlebloom]

Yeah, with the trees planted you're going to need to keep the soil moist through winter.

 

[ninnymary]

I'm so glad I can leave my hugh pots outside all winter. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't. I have some that are bigger than half wine barrels.

Mary

 

[thistlebloom]

I've wrapped the top in plastic in time to let the soil dry before it gets too cold and gotten away with it. Bone dry soil won't expand when temps drop below freezing. I also think having perlite in the planting medium can help by providing some "give". But is sounds like you have trees in them . . .

Another trick is to put some two liter soda bottles in with the soil when you plant. When the soil expands the bottles take the pressure off the pots walls.

 

[Nyboy]

Bay and Mary You are so lucky !!

 

[so lucky]

It is my understanding that the terra cotta absorbs moisture if it is not fired on the inside and out. That moisture that is in the walls of the pot is what freezes and expands. Not 100% sure on this, but a regular old clay flower pot can get saturated pretty easily, then in the spring it flakes apart like mica.