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Timing For Overwintering Potted Plants (Zone 5)

17 years ago

Hi friends,

I've never buried pots in the ground but now have an opportunity to do so and in a non-sheltered spot of a friend of the family.

I'm thinking I can bury them right now just to get it done and finished, which I'd prefer doing.

I appreciate any input. Also, I intend not to mulch, even the small one year seedlings of for example Picea that are only one to two inches tall, tops. Any objections? I'm sure mulch would help, but I simply have too much stuff, plus being that some (The real small ones), could become crushed or completley buried or damaged next year when I dig them up. I suppose however, I could rake up leaves in fall and dump those on this spot, but then again that could weigh them down too much as well. I'm in a hard spot and not sure what I should do.

Thanks very much for your advice -

Dax

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Comments (4)

mrgpag SW OH Z5/6
17 years ago
Dax, I've already buried some pots and would say go ahead before bad weather sets in. On those little guys that might get crushed by my big feet, I take a typical Monrovia 5 gallon container, cut out the bottom and place it upside down over the plant and secure it with a couple bamboo stakes. This also prevents rabbits from exercising their teeth and jaws on small plants. The hole allows light and moisture to get in and keeps the temp some what ambient. But I'll bet you'll need a lot of containers so you might want to contact a local landscaper and see if they'd save some for you - most of them around these parts discard all their used pots.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
17 years ago
whats in the pots???

soil/dirt .. or potting soil?

if you have multiples.. i suggest you try a variety of methods, rather than investing in one method.. which may or may not work .... in other words.. experiment ...

i only have experience in sinking pots with native soil ... sand.. which is never a drainage issue ...

i see the following issues:

drainage
wetness at the roots
heave of the pots
timing
sunlight on dark pots
and i am sure more than that ...

i know a hosta guy who has hosta seedlings in trays .... of course shorter than your stock ... he simply pulls a cover over railroad ties.. with chicken wire for rodents.. and plenty of rodent bait ...

you might try some bails of straw .... around a group of pots .... and then some lose [key word] straw around the pots to protect from sunlight ... this will reduce wind.. and sun ...

anything that is heavy is not recommended .. like un-shredded leaves .. light and airy is the idea ...

good luck ... and as noted.. do NOT put ALL YOUR MARBLES IN ONE BUCKET ...

ken
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conifers
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks guys, I like the chickenwire over wood idea and straw.

Very good!

Dax
conifers
Original Author
17 years ago
I ah got them done yesterday. Decided to buy panels of the wavy corrugated plastic and frame them for strength and drill many holes in them. The frame is slanted so water can move and I got the plants heeled in, plus chickenwired, plus threw some straw over the tops of em.

Thanks a lot guys!

Dax

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