Preparing Container Gardens for the Winter

General Gardening
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With winter approaching I am starting to get my container garden prepared for the cold wet conditions coming. One of my biggest worries is my plants rotting in the pots through the winter as I have had this happen to my plants in previous years, however I suspect it might of been from too small of pots as well. In order to prepare this year I have switched to using fabric pots, which in my opinion out perform plastic pots by far, and I have amended the soil when I transplanted to larger pots with vermiculite to help drainage. I think that these two things should keep the roots dry enough through the winter to prevent rot, but this is my first year trying it.

I can and have to bring in some of the pots, especially the figs and blackberries, however some of the plants require chill hours and I don’t know if the garage will be cold enough for long enough for the blueberries or haskhaps so those will be staying outside. One other idea I had was to hang a tarp over the plants as a “roof” to keep water out during the wet periods but it might be overkill.

What preparations do you make for the winter with container gardens? Am I too worried about my plants rotting?

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I bring my figs in the garage after several frosts.

I then gather all my potted plants (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, etc. & place them between all of my raised beds in the garden. I then cover everything with a few feet of straw,

I’ve never had a problem with rot, all the soil is frozen solid & it not raining or melting.

I’ve never lost a plant yet.

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@NicTrib How did it go last year with figs and blueberries? I have similar situation.

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Last year I put my container blueberries in a shed. They had lots of flowers, but much too early. So this year I will move them outside in March.

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I stick my fabric pots in a pile between two raised beds wrap in tarp like a sleeve for windbreak and the straw on top. All plants made it through winter fine. I bring really sensitive stuff like figs and pomegranates inside into the garage on a shelf. Things stay below 40 but not freezing in there as the garage is below grade on 3 sides. Has worked out well. About 10 fabric pots are there in between those two beds in the background. Don’t mind the bobcat in the foreground…

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To prevent potted plants from getting wet in winter, you can place the pots on their sides on the ground. The heat from the earth will warm the pots, but water will not stagnate in the pots. This method is suitable for small pots.