💤 Putting Your Pottery to Bed for the Winter

As temperatures drop and winter weather sets in, it’s time to start thinking about how to protect your outdoor pottery. Even though many of today’s pots are labeled frost-resistant, that doesn’t mean they’re indestructible. A little prep in the fall can go a long way toward preserving your pottery through the cold season.

Here’s how to “put your pottery to bed” before winter hits:

Why You Need to Winterize Your Pots

Even the toughest outdoor pots can suffer damage in winter. Cold temps, moisture, and impact from snow or ice can cause:

• Cracking or chipping, especially if the pot is already cold

• Trapped water expanding inside the pot or liner

• Snow and ice buildup, which adds unnecessary weight and pressure

So, what can you do to protect them?

4 Simple Ways to Protect Your Pots

1. Cover the Top

If your pot is staying outside, cover the opening with a sturdy plastic or wood cover. This prevents snow and ice from building up inside, which can expand and cause cracking.

2. Use a Pot Liner – and Empty It

If your pottery has a soil-filled liner or insert, remove it and dump out the soil before freezing weather. Moist soil expands when it freezes, which can crack both the liner and the outer pot.

3. Flip It Over

For empty pots that don’t have delicate shapes or glazes, you can simply turn them upside down to keep moisture out. Be sure the rim is sturdy and the surface underneath is soft (grass or wood, not concrete).

4. Store Indoors (Garage or Shed)

The safest option is to bring your pottery into a garage, shed, or other unheated indoor space. This protects it from both the freeze-thaw cycle and accidental impact (like being hit by a snow shovel or falling branch).

A Note on Frost-Resistant Pottery

Our outdoor pottery is designed to resist frost — meaning it can handle some cold weather without damage. But it's not 100% freeze-proof. If a pot is cold and gets hit by a rock, shovel, or heavy ice chunk, it can still crack.

Frost-resistant doesn’t mean you can skip winter prep — it just buys you a bit more time and durability.

Don’t Let It Fill With Snow

One of the easiest ways to damage pottery in winter? Letting it fill up with snow and freeze solid.
Remember:

• Dump the soil or liner

• Cover or flip the pot

• Keep it dry if possible

Give Your Pottery a Long Life

With just a few simple steps, you can keep your beautiful outdoor pots looking great year after year. Whether you're storing them or covering them in place, a little prep now means fewer cracks and breaks in the spring.

Have questions about winterizing specific pots or materials? Stop by the garden center—we’re happy to help you find the best solution for your space!