Winter can be dreary, but that doesn’t mean your garden has to be. Even if you’re a beginner gardener living in a cold climate, you can bring life and color to your space with a winter container garden. With a bit of creativity and some basic knowledge, you can have an outdoor oasis all year round. In this post, we’ll explore some winter container garden ideas and provide you with the tips you need to create your own. So, grab your gardening gloves, and let’s get started.
How to Make a Winter Container Garden
Making a winter container garden is easier than you may think. Start by selecting a container that is large enough to accommodate your plants and has proper drainage holes. Next, fill it with well-draining potting soil, leaving enough room at the top for your plants.
Some of our favorite leafy greens such as collards and kale are heavy feeders and would benefit from a periodic side dressing of natural soil amendments and fertilizers. As you begin planting, arrange your plants based on size and texture.
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Make sure they are positioned in a way that allows them to get the right amount of sunlight so they can flourish in their new home. I also like to group plants with similar water and fertilizer needs together.
This makes caring for them that much easier. Finally, add a layer of mulch, like shredded straw, around the plants to help retain moisture and regulate the temperature.
How to design a small container garden
What Makes A Great Container For Planting?
Container gardens bring life to outdoor spaces regardless of the temperature outside. With a hint of creativity, any container can become the base for a beautiful winter garden. I prefer larger containers when possible.
They retain even moisture levels and are less likely to freeze in the winter or get too hot in the summer. A larger container also has space to include flowers and onions to deter pests when spring comes around.
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Containers that make great gardens include:
- Grow bags
- Old clawfoot bathtubs
- Large ceramic pots
- Lined baskets
- Metal troughs
- Raised Beds
- Terracotta pots
- Hanging baskets
- Window boxes
- Repurposed items like tin cans, buckets, or old furniture
- Plastic tubs
- Buckets
- Glass jars or bottles
- Woven baskets lined with plastic
- Concrete planters
- Galvanized steel containers
- DIY pallet planters
- Old wheelbarrows or wagons
- Large drain pipes
- Chimney pots
- Teapots
- Bird baths or fountains converted into planters
- Half barrels or wine barrels
- Large seashells for succulents and small plants.
Winter flora like evergreens, holly, and cypress look at home in traditional pots. For a more unique look, try planting in a watering can or old teapot. Succulents and cacti add a modern flair to rusted metal containers, while galvanized buckets are perfect for an industrial-inspired garden.
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Regardless of the container, have fun the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating a winter garden that brings warmth to your space.
When to Water and Where to Place A Winter Container Garden
Watering your winter container garden is crucial to its success, but it’s important to strike the right balance. Too much water can cause root rot, while too little can dry out your plants. The best way to determine when your plants need water is to check the soil’s moisture level by sticking your finger into it. If it feels dry, give it a good watering.
As for placement, look for a spot with plenty of natural light and protection from harsh drying winds and frost. When deciding where to place your containers, choose an area that will receive at least four hours of sunlight every day.
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One technique that has proven to be effective is placing these container gardens near brick or cinder block walls. Why? For starters, these materials have excellent thermal mass, which helps to stabilize temperatures around them. This can reduce the sudden changes in temperature that are often the culprit behind cold damage to plants.
Additionally, brick and cinder block walls can absorb the sun’s heat during the day and release it slowly throughout the night. This creates a comfortable microclimate for your winter garden that can keep your plants from freezing over and add a touch of warmth to your outdoor area.
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What To Plant In Containers For Winter
The Best Winter Ornamental Plants
When it comes to choosing plants for your winter container garden, it’s important to select ones that can withstand cold weather and frost. I like to use a grouping of these super hardy evergreens to provide a windbreak for my veggie and in some areas a privacy screen.
Some of the best options include evergreens such as pine, spruce, cedar, holly, junipers, and boxwoods are ideal for winter container gardens that will provide greenery all year round.
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Winterberry, with its bright red berries, is also a great addition. You can also add winter-blooming flowers such as pansies, snowdrops, winter jasmine, cyclamen, and heathers which will add pops of color to your space. Other great options are a variety of ornamental grasses.
Vegetable Winter Container Garden Ideas
There are plenty of cold-hardy vegetables that can thrive in a winter container garden. Some of the best options include kale, collard greens, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, and radishes. You can also try your hand at growing carrots, parsnips, and beets.
You can even add some color with red cabbage, which continues to develop over the winter months. For herbs, you can plant rosemary, sage, thyme, and chives in your containers. Just be sure to give them plenty of light and keep the soil moist but not too wet.
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How to Protect Your Winter Container Garden from Harsh Weather
Winter plants will need protection from the harsh winter weather. Cold weather can be tough on plants, especially if you live in an area with harsh winds, heavy snow, or extreme temperatures.
Plan ahead and place your containers in a sheltered location, like a covered porch, under the eaves of your home, or near a protected wall where wind won’t damage your plants.
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Try wrapping containers with burlap or insulating materials to keep the roots of your plants warm during especially harsh storms. And be sure to monitor the water in your containers since winter winds can dry out your plants quickly. Make sure to keep the soil moist but not too wet, as excess moisture can cause root rot.
A book called, Four-Season Harvest: Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Long by Eliot Coleman completely changed my gardening style. No matter what part of the country I lived in I always found a garden solution appropriate for my region that allowed me to harvest food from my garden all year long.
10 DIY Ways to Protect Your Container Garden from Cold Weather
- Bubble Wrap Insulation: Wrapping your pots in bubble wrap can provide an added layer of insulation that helps to keep the roots of your plants warm. This method is particularly useful for terracotta pots, which are prone to cracking in cold temperatures.
- Mulch: Adding a layer of mulch on top of your soil can help to retain heat and keep your plants’ roots warmer. Straw, wood chips, or leaf mold can all work well for this purpose.
- Cloche or Mini Greenhouse: A cloche, which is a bell-shaped glass cover, or a mini greenhouse can provide a warm environment for your plants to thrive during the cold winter months.
- Moveable Plant Stands: Having your plants on moveable stands can allow you to bring them indoors or move them to a warmer spot in your garden during particularly cold days.
- Fleece or Fabric Covers: Covering your plants with a layer of garden fleece or old fabric can provide a protective barrier against frost. Be sure to secure the fabric well so it doesn’t blow away in the wind.
- Water Heater Cable: Wrapping a water heater cable around your pots can provide heat to keep your plants from freezing. Ensure the cable is safe for outdoor use.
- DIY Cold Frames: Cold frames, which are essentially mini greenhouses, can be made from old windows or polycarbonate sheets and can provide an excellent refuge for your plants during the colder months.
- Christmas Lights: Stringing Christmas lights around your pots can provide heat to keep your plants warm during cold nights. Just be sure to use outdoor lights and not leave them on for extended periods of time to avoid overheating.
- Container Placing hot water bottles under or next to your pots can help keep the soil from freezing.
- Plant Windbreaks: Creating a barrier with taller plants or shrubs can help block harsh winds and protect your container garden from extreme weather conditions.
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By using any of these DIY methods, you can ensure that your winter container garden stays protected and thriving throughout the entire season. Remember, the key is to monitor your plants regularly and make adjustments as needed to ensure they stay healthy and happy during the colder months.
Gardening doesn’t have to be just a summer hobby. With the right tools, you can create a stunning winter container garden. By incorporating these tips, you can create a beautiful thriving winter garden filled with color that will bring joy to your space all winter long.
Remember to choose cold-hardy plants, use well-draining soil, protect your garden from harsh weather, and give it the right amount of water and light.
Get planting, be creative, have fun, and enjoy the beauty of winter!
