Caring for Potted Perennials Over Winter: Keeping Your Garden Friends Cozy

Introduction
If you have potted perennials, you know they’re like the resilient old friends of your garden—always coming back year after year to brighten your space. But when winter rolls around, those trusty perennials need a little extra care to make it through the cold months, especially if they’re in pots. At From Scratch Farm, we like to think of potted perennials as the garden guests who need the coziest room during the winter, and we make sure they get all the warmth and protection they need.

In this blog, we’ll explore simple, effective ways to care for your potted perennials over winter, keeping them snug and safe until it’s time to bloom again in spring.

1. Understanding the Challenges of Winter for Potted Perennials
Potted plants are a bit more vulnerable in winter than their in-ground counterparts. The soil in a pot tends to freeze and thaw more quickly than garden soil, putting extra stress on the roots. Because pots are exposed on all sides, the temperature fluctuations can be more extreme, and the roots of perennials are at a greater risk of damage.

At From Scratch Farm, we treat our potted perennials like VIPs when winter comes around—making sure they have the shelter and insulation they need to stay warm and cozy. Here’s how you can do the same!

2. Moving Pots to a Sheltered Spot
One of the simplest ways to protect your potted perennials from the harshness of winter is to move them to a sheltered location. If you have an unheated garage, shed, or even a covered porch, this can be a great place to overwinter your plants.

• Garage or Shed
  An unheated garage provides protection from wind and frost without exposing the plants to the warmth of indoor temperatures that might cause them to break dormancy too soon. It’s like tucking them into a cool but comfortable garden guesthouse where they can rest until spring.

• Against a South-Facing Wall
  If bringing pots indoors isn’t an option, try moving them against a south-facing wall of your house. This spot will usually be a bit warmer than the open garden and provides some additional shelter from cold winter winds.

3. Insulating the Pots
If you can’t bring your pots inside, insulation is key to helping your perennials survive the winter.

• Burlap and Straw
  Wrap your pots in burlap and stuff straw or leaves between the pot and the burlap to add an extra layer of insulation. This helps protect the roots from freezing temperatures. At From Scratch Farm, we like to think of this as giving our potted plants their very own winter coat—a snug, rustic wrap that keeps them comfy until the chill passes.

• Mulch
  Adding a thick layer of mulch around the base of your potted perennials can also help insulate the soil. Mulch acts like a blanket, helping regulate soil temperature and reducing the impact of freezing and thawing cycles.

• Grouping Pots Together
  Another great way to insulate potted perennials is to group them together. By clustering pots, you create a microclimate that helps protect each plant. Placing larger pots around smaller ones adds an extra layer of protection, and it’s like letting them huddle together for warmth—strength in numbers!

4. Elevate or Protect Pots from Waterlogging
One of the biggest dangers to potted perennials in winter is waterlogging. When water sits in the pot and freezes, it can damage the roots and even crack the pot. Make sure your pots are elevated on pot feet or bricks to ensure good drainage and prevent them from sitting directly on cold, wet ground.

At From Scratch Farm, we make sure our pots are well-drained before winter sets in, and we place saucers underneath to keep them elevated. A little lift goes a long way in protecting those tender roots from standing water.

5. Watering Wisely
Potted perennials still need some water over the winter, but much less than during the growing season. It’s important to keep the soil from completely drying out, but overwatering can lead to rot. Check the soil moisture occasionally—if the soil is dry a few inches below the surface, give the pot a light watering. Just remember that the plants are mostly dormant, so they don’t need much.

We like to think of it as offering a sip rather than a gulp—just enough to keep the plant happy without overwhelming it. At From Scratch Farm, we check on our potted friends once a month during the winter to see if they need a little drink.

6. Protecting Fragile Pots
Terracotta and ceramic pots can be beautiful, but they’re also susceptible to cracking in freezing temperatures. If you’re worried about your pots, consider moving the plant to a plastic pot for the winter. Plastic is more resistant to temperature changes, and this simple swap can protect both the plant and your favorite decorative pots. Come spring, you can easily repot into your lovely ceramic containers for display.

From Scratch Farm’s Winter Care for Potted Perennials
At From Scratch Farm, caring for our potted perennials over winter is part of our cozy winter ritual. We cluster pots together, wrap them in burlap, and ensure they’re all protected from the worst of the winter weather. We use straw, leaves, and even old blankets to insulate our pots, and we love knowing that while the garden seems quiet, all the life in those pots is resting and preparing for spring.

We also use winter as a chance to think creatively. Sometimes, we’ll decorate the pots with seasonal touches—like twinkling lights or a few pine boughs—to make the garden look festive even during its restful phase. It’s all about keeping the spirit of the garden alive through every season!

Tips for Caring for Potted Perennials at Home

1. Check on Your Plants
   Even though they’re dormant, check on your potted perennials occasionally. Make sure they’re not too dry, and keep an eye out for any signs of pests or disease.

2. Add Extra Protection for Extreme Cold
   During particularly cold spells, you can add an extra layer of protection by covering your pots with frost cloth or an old blanket. Just be sure to remove it during milder days to let air circulate.

3. Keep an Eye on Drainage
   Make sure your pots have proper drainage throughout the winter. If you notice water pooling in or around your pots, adjust their position to ensure they’re staying dry.

Conclusion
Caring for potted perennials over winter is all about offering a little extra love and protection. With some simple steps—like insulating pots, providing shelter, and watering sparingly—you can help your perennial friends make it through the winter and be ready to bloom again in the spring.

At From Scratch Farm, we treat our potted plants with the same care we offer all our garden friends. Whether it’s wrapping them in burlap, clustering them together for warmth, or just checking in on them during the cold months, we know that the effort we put in during winter will pay off with beautiful blooms and vibrant growth when warmer days return.

So, bundle up those pots, find them a cozy spot, and rest easy knowing that your potted perennials are ready to face the winter with warmth and resilience. When spring comes, they’ll thank you with their colorful blooms and lush growth—proof that a little winter care goes a long way.