Hi Kathy, The car undercoating seals the pots and lasts longer than paint would on the inside. The one I use (Pep Boys auto parts store $4.99 a can) is paintable. It's a lot like the stuff you paint tree scars with, but costs less. If a terra cotta pot is painted outside, but not sealed inside, the water will seep through and cause the outside paint to lift off. I spray worn out pots inside and out, then prime and paint over it. The undercoat and paint really help to hold the pots together. The instructions on the can state that you can paint over it in a short time, but when I've tried that, it hasn't worked well. I always let it sit for a few days before painting.

I coated a few pots with cement when we were mixing it for something else. That works really well if you have trouble with pots wearing out. I smeared wet cement over a pot that was in very bad shape, then wiped it with a damp sponge a little while later to smooth it out. Anyone who has done cement work can help you get it right. It's very simple, dries very hard and can be coated and painted over. If the pot is broken or has bad cracks, glue the pieces with (paintable) door and window sealer, just the cheap stuff, before coating them with cement.

Since we don't have freezing weather here, I don't know how any of this will work there, but am guessing if the pots can't soak up water to freeze, they won't fail. The pot below was in bad shape, but the sealer and paint has held it together for quite a while. Always use exterior paint products on the pots. Linda

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Kathy, I sent you an email. I don't have email out in the open here anymore because it got spammed (not blaming GW). Linda