Bill, I've had two foam containers outdoors for at least 5 years now. They have never split. The only problem I've had, is that the plant that hangs over the rim of the pot has caused the finish to degrade so when I need to prune that plant back, it doesn't look very pretty before it grows back in. I could refinish it I guess, but I haven't. I feel like I've gotten my money's worth out of them. I haven't repotted the plants in them and I should have. I'm not sure how it will work out when I attempt that, after 5 years. I have another pot that I like better, that I also have left outside all winter. I really don't know what the material is that they are made of, it's nothing that I'm familiar with. I've never seen them again since that one time I bought them, or I'd buy more of them. The only reason I like the other pot better, is that I don't feel good about using styrofoam that has such a long life and doesn't break down in land fills. I have one guess about what the material is and I'm sure I'm wrong, but it might give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Have you ever seen those pegboards that are made for the wall of your garage. The old fashioned kind that are not plastic, but are some sort of pressed material? It reminds me of that, but it's weatherproof, with some kind of paint finish. I'd take a photo but I don't think it would help unless they were empty and I could show you the inside of them and they're still full of mums. I would like stone or concrete, but they are so heavy, I just can't see dealing with them, but they are organic. Metal is also an organic material and will withstand weather but I don't want the upkeep of dealing with it when it rusts.

That is super cute- but now all the seven year olds are going to want to do the same thing. There's going to be a run on Santa Costumes!!

Hey Mike! I'm sorry, I'm stumped on this one, but I just wanted to say hello and let you know that no one's ignoring your excellent question--probably no one who's read it knows the answer yet. But I should thank you because I'm moving into my new (new to me, but a 1979 home) manufactured home in January, and that's something I plum forgot to ask the sellers--how the pipes are wrapped for winter! I'm considering a tankless hot water heater down the line, waaay down the line, but pipes have to be wrapped no matter what. I hope someone here will be able to answer your question!

will it suffocate my rosemary and tansy if I sprinkle straw over the plants so none of the leaves show?