Anyone who relies on the frost hardiness of their plants in the balcony box is faced with a disaster of frozen perennials at the end of winter. Due to the exposed location, the root balls in the flower box are vulnerable to severe frost. These instructions explain how to arm a balcony box against the rigors of the cold season.
How do I winterize my flower box?
To make a flower box winter-proof, you should wrap it with bubble wrap (€14.00 on Amazon) or cling film, place a warming coat made of fleece, jute or sheep's wool over it, and cover the substrate with leaves, straw or sawdust Cover and place the box on an insulating surface.
Perennial checkup in the balcony box – preparation begins in autumn
Before the ice-cold wind whistles around the floral ears of the balcony plants, they should be subjected to a careful inspection. In late autumn, remove old debris such as dead branches, wilted flowers and leaves. Keep an eye out for symptoms of diseases and pests. Cut off affected plant parts and dispose of the remains in household waste. In addition, he althy perennials also benefit from pruning before winter.
Warm winter coat for the flower box – this is how it works
If the plants are perfectly prepared for ice and snow, the flower box receives a warming cover. The thin walls of plastic flower boxes do not offer perennials the reliable frost protection that is available in garden soil. Adequate measures are required to replace the natural cold protection of deep bed soil. How to winterize a balcony box:
- Wrap the planter with bubble wrap (€14.00 on Amazon) or several layers of transparent film
- Put a coat over it made of fleece, jute or sheep's wool
- Alternatively, cover with coconut mats that extend 5 to 10 cm beyond the edge of the box
- Cover the substrate with leaves, straw, sawdust or expanded clay
So that the cold doesn't move from the ground into the flower box, slide a block of wood or several styrofoam plates under it. It is also advantageous to change location to a niche on the balcony that is protected from rain and wind.
Don’t forget to water in winter
All efforts to create a winter-proof flower box will be in vain if your plants die of thirst. Evergreen and wintergreen perennials, grasses and small trees continue to evaporate water during the cold season. Therefore, water every now and then on mild days, provided there is no blanket of snow to provide water.
Tip
Once the compulsory work relating to winter protection has been completed, the free program follows. You can stylishly showcase the wrapped flower box with creative decorations. With fairy lights, shiny balls, rustic pine cones or colorful stickers, the winter balcony becomes an eye-catcher worth seeing.
