Now that you have chosen your beautiful pot or planter you want to take care of it to keep it nice.
Cast Stone Planters:
IF YOUR PLANTER IS LEFT PLANTED THROUGH WINTER:
There are a few measures you should take to keep your planter in good condition. The first step in properly caring for your pots is to elevate it off the ground with two pressure treated wood strips. You want to avoid blocking the drainage hole on the bottom of the planter, so it does not freeze to the ground. If the drain hole is blocked during many freeze thaw cycles, it could cause the soil inside the planter to expand and crack the pot.
IF YOUR PLANTER IS NOT LEFT PLANTED THROUGH WINTER:
If you decide to remove all the soil and plants from your planter during the winter, it is best to move it to a covered areas out of the elements. If the planter is going to be left outside, it should be flipped upside and placed on pressure treated wood strips. The planter should also be covered in an absorbent material (old blanker, burlap, towel) and wrapped in dark plastic.
Please keep in mind that even if you raise a planter off the ground there is a chance that moisture will absorb through the surface and could crack the planter.
BIRD BATHS, BENCHES, FOUNTAINS AND STATUARY WINTERIZATION is recommended that bird baths and fountains not be left our in the winter. This is because once the top fills with water/ snow and it freezes and thaws, it could cause expansion in the top and crack the birdbath or fountain.
Just like planters, bird baths, benches, fountains and statues should be raised off the ground with pressure treated wood and drainage holes be left open.
Ideally fountains should be disassembled and stored indoors for winter. If this is not possible there are a few steps to tale to preserve the fountain and prevent damage. The 1st step is to remove all pumps, finials, rubber plugs, drainpipes, and any other small removable components. The next step is to cover the fountain with a fountain cover (available at Rock Shoppe) to prevent water/ snow from collecting in the basin. All the pumps, and other small components that have been removed should be stored inside. It doesn’t hurt to check that your fountain cover is secure from time to time to make sure water is not accumulating in the basin.
Glazed and Terra Cotta Winterization
Since terra cotta is slightly porous this poses a risk in the wintertime if left outside. When temperatures drop below freezing the water that has absorbed into pot expands and could destroy the pot. To avoid this terra cotta should be brought inside to a warm dry area to prevent cracking.
Source: Campania International