How to Winterize and Store AquaPots® Containers for Cold Climates
As fall ends and freezing temperatures approach, it’s a good idea to winterize your self-watering AquaPots® planters. Proper end-of-season care will preserve your planters, prevent damage from ice and frost, and ensure they’re ready for next year’s garden. Follow these simple steps to clean, empty, and store your AquaPots® for the winter.
If you live where it’s cold enough for water to freeze in the wintertime, it's a good idea to err on the side of caution and empty, clean and store your self-watering AquaPots®, AquaPots® Lite and AquaPots® inserts before freezing temperatures arrive. If water remains in them, then freezes and thaws through the winter, it could cause cracking which would compromise their integrity. Repeated exposure to cold winters can also make plastic more brittle over time, so it could become more prone to damage.
Protect your investment by following the simple steps below to empty, clean and store your AquaPots before winter. No matter which type of AquaPots planter or insert size you have, all can be handled in the following manner:
STEP 1: Remove the plants before Winter.
Remove and compost annual plants, store caladium bulbs, or transplant hardy perennials and shrubs into the landscape at the end of the season.
STEP 2: Remove the soil.
Remove the potting soil that fills the top half of your AquaPots planter to expose the AquaPots insert. If saving, have a bucket nearby to store the soil in until next year.
STEP 3: Remove the lid and watering tube from the AquaPots insert.
To access the water that remains in the AquaPots Insert, remove the lid. The watering tube will lift right off with it. Set it aside.
STEP 4: Pour out the remaining water in the AquaPots planter to prevent freezing.
It’s important to empty all of the water that remains in the bottom of your AquaPots planter before winter so that it can’t cause the pot to crack. Use it to water a plant in your garden instead of wasting it.
STEP 5: Clean all parts of the AquaPots planter and insert.
Why wait until spring? Use a hose and some dish soap to clean out your AquaPots planter and insert now so they are ready to go next year. If you are concerned about disease, spray the inside of the planter and insert down with a 10% bleach solution.
STEP 6: Store dry AquaPots planter and insert safely for Winter
You’re finished! Store away your empty, clean AquaPots planter and insert in a dry place for winter. If storing outdoors up against your garage or shed, turn them upside down or on their side so no rain or snow can collect inside them during the winter.
When spring arrives, reassemble your AquaPots and you’ll be ready to enjoy them for another beautiful season.
If you live in a warm climate where you can garden year-round and temperatures don't consistently stay below freezing for extended periods, there is no need to empty your AquaPots planter before winter.
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