Bringing in the Pots
It's fall and the weather is turning colder. If you live where the ground freezes, you may spend a lot of time taking care of tender perennials, trees, and shrubs before winter's weather sets in. However, there are other pieces of the yard that need care, too. These include water hoses, fountains, pots, and trellises and benches. Let's take a look at each.
- Water hoses- If you live were the ground freezes in winter, then you need to care for your water hoses. Bring flexible soaker hoses and garden hoses indoors for the winter. Drain the water out of them first and hang them in a garage, shed, or basement. In-ground irrigation equipment should have the water drained from them as well. Check with your lawn service about caring for your irrigation pipes. Also, bring in hose nozzles, timers, sprinklers, and watering wands. They will last longer if stored indoors in winter.
- Fountains- Drain the water from fountains and remove the pumps. Fountains left outside in winter can crack if water is still inside them. Pumps are best stored indoors to avoid damaging the operating systems.
- Containers- Remove the potting soil and clean and store clay, ceramic, and plastic containers. Clay, plastic, and ceramic containers will crack in winter if left outdoors with soil in them. As the soil expands and contracts with the cold weather, it will break the pot. If your containers have trees, shrubs, or perennials in them, move these plants and pots into an unheated garage or shed and protect them from freezing temperatures.
- Trellises and benches- While metal and wooden trellises and benches can survive the cold of winter, if they are portable, it's not a bad idea to move them into a protected area. Metal trellises won't rust as quickly and wooden trellises won't rot as soon, if protected in winter. If perennial vining plants are attached to the trellis, leave the trellis outdoors. In the process of removing the vine from the trellis, you may harm the plant.
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