What's the best way to winterize our outdoor planter boxes and benches?

Oh, winter. It creeps in like that quiet neighbor who never knocks but always leaves a frosty note on your doorstep. And if you’re anything like me, your outdoor planter boxes and benches aren’t just furniture—they’re family. They’ve held your summer blooms, carried your morning coffee, and listened to your secret dreams. So when the cold whispers, “Time to retreat,” I say, “Not without a fight.” Here’s my personal, tried-and-true way to winterize these beloved outdoor companions—not by covering them in stiff tarps, but by wrapping them in warmth and wit.

For Planter Boxes: Give Them a Blanket, Not a Coffin

I learned the hard way that simply leaving soil in a pot is like sending a plant to a polar bear’s picnic. Instead, after the last leaf falls, I empty my ceramic and terra-cotta planters completely—they’re porous and will crack if water freezes inside. But my wooden and resin boxes? Oh, they get a spa day. I line them with a thick layer of bubble wrap (the big bubbles—my plants love the texture) and then fill with dry leaves or straw. This insulates the roots of any hardy perennials I’ve left, like lavender or winter heather. For the truly empty planters, I turn them upside down (like they’re meditating) to keep out snow. And here’s my secret touch: I spray the exterior with a mix of linseed oil and beeswax—it smells like a cozy workshop and keeps wood from drying into a brittle old man.

For Benches: A Hug That Lasts All Season

My wooden bench—oh, she’s a beauty with wobbly legs and a memory of every sunset—needs special care. First, I scrub her with a soft brush and a gentle wood soap (no harsh chemicals—she’s sensitive). Then, I apply a waterproof sealant that’s breathable, like a raincoat for a dancer. But the real magic? I don’t just cover her with a tarp; I create a “bench coat.” I buy a heavy-duty, breathable cover (not plastic, which traps moisture and causes mildew) and add a few bricks on the corners so it doesn’t fly off in a tantrum wind. Underneath, I scatter cedar chips—they repel critters and smell like a forest after rain. And if I’m feeling extra, I place a decorative throw over the cover, so my bench looks like it’s taking a cozy nap instead of being banished.

The Living Touch: Let Them Dream

I never truly abandon my planters and benches. I leave a few winter-interest plants, like tiny evergreens or ornamental kale, in the largest planter boxes. And I drape a string of solar fairy lights around the bench legs—so even on the darkest December evening, my garden whispers, “I’m still here. I’m still loved.” Because winterizing isn’t about shutting down; it’s about tucking in. It’s a promise that when spring taps on the window, my wooden friends will wake up, stretch their slats, and say, “Ready for another year of blooms and bottoms.”

So go ahead, give your outdoor treasures a winter hug. They’ve earned it.