I am planting perennials in the recently promoted "Smart Pots" Does anyone knows how to winterize with special covers and mulch in the Zone 7 area. Any experience. i don't have enough indoor space to bring them in. This applies to nay kind of container for winter care purposes.
Thank you
This message was edited Oct 19, 2008 2:39 AM
Smart Pots Outside Winter Care
Though I have no experience with them I saw this thread had 38 views and no replies so I'm just posting to say I hope someone will show up to help you out.
I am in zone 7, and do have lots of plants in pots that survive each winter outside, but I've never tried the pots you're using.
What plants are you growing? If everything's hardy at least to zone 6 then you're probably fine leaving them outside in the containers. If they're hardy to zone 7 then your best bet is to sink the pots in the ground--I'm not sure if that's something you can do with the smart pots or not, if not then you'd be best off bringing them in.
Is there any way you can further insulate the containers? The website makes them look good for the roots in summer but in winter the roots appreciate some insulation - which is what earth does when they're planted or sunk in the ground. Maybe you could somehow wrap them in leaves, if they are tender and too big to move. People have done all kinds of nutty things to protect container-planted plants over the winter. You could read some of the advice for preparing roses for cold weather to get ideas!
I went to the SmartPots website and ordered 3 sizes as a trial. I love the concept since I tend to overwater pots and have lost many plants that way. I don't live in a cold climate so winter protection is not an issue but I am interested in hearing from anyone who uses these pots and what they think. I grow roses in pots and perennials too.
Thank you very much for your advice. They are usual perennials that are hardy for the Zone 7. I have reviewed multiple sites and in addition to use the underground mode what I am planning to do is put all the pots together and add and surround the pots with a heavy cypress mulch. I will give you a follow up in the next spring. I wish it will work since i feel very enthusiastic with this kind of pot.