Terracotta Pots

[dmsjps]

Bought some terracotta pots for my patio today - �7 for four, ranging from 7" diameter to 18", bargain or what? - but I've heard that they can break when it's frosty. Is there anything I can put them on to protect them? I know you can buy the proper pieces to put under them, but could I just use bits of slate or anything else I can get hold of for free? Thanks.

[spangle111]

Unfortunately the only way to guarantee them not breaking in the frost is to put them in a shed or something through the winter. I thought mine would be ok and all of them including the chimenea all broke in half! If you can put some bubble wrap around them too then they will be even better.

[mindel]

All my pots are terracotta, and my mum has alot too none break in frosts here in NZ, I have some under a veranda and we get snow, they sit on concrete and again none of these have broken either.  They are made in Italy the pots - maybe they are better quality

[woofgang]

the more expensive ones say on them either frost resistant of frost proof anf the really expensive ones guarantee it... Like you I buy the cheapos and replace when they get damaged

[woofgang]

http://www.pterra.demon.co.uk/page10.html

herers a website with prices for frostproof ones, if you google on "frostproof pots" there are loads more

[Robinia]

Oooh I love a bargain!  I bought 3 x 10" terracotta pots from B&Q for �1 each nearly two years ago & they're still fine.  They're nicely weathered & cottagey now & hopefully they'll last another winter.  If not, as woofgang says I'll just buy some more cheap ones.

[Impret-Sir]

Its not so much the temperature that splits them. Terracotta is porus, so when it rains they soak up moisture. When the temperature drops below freezing, that water expands, and that cracks the pot. If you can keep them dry they should withstand the frosts OK.