Hey everyone! I'm new to gardening and live in the North of England. I've been able to create some beautiful pots this summer filled with herbs, flowers, and even strawberries. With winter approaching and the weather turning cooler by the end of September, I'm worried about how to protect my potted plants. Would a plastic mini greenhouse or a wooden lean-to be a good option? I'm really hoping to keep all my plants healthy since I've put a lot of effort into them. Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
It varies based on the plants. Strawberries and certain herbs may die back in the winter but can bounce back in the spring without much help. If you have any non-hardy plants, you might want to insulate the pots or bring them inside.
It really depends on what you're growing. You might want to move your pots against a wall, cover them with horticultural fleece, or even wrap the pots in bubble wrap to retain some heat. Some plants can handle the cold better than others, so if you can share what specific plants you have, that would help a lot!
It's tough to give solid advice without knowing what you planted. Some are annuals and won’t survive past winter, while others are perennials and may remain underground before sprouting back in spring. For instance, geraniums are herbaceous perennials that die back, while lavender is a shrubby perennial that keeps its structure. Just remember that some plants may be frost-tender even if they're perennial in their homeland!
Good point! Plus, some plants are surprisingly tough. I've left my dahlias outside in their pots, and despite a few frosty nights, they came back strong! You might be surprised at what can survive.