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Winter Care of Garden Fountains &
Accessories
by: Garden Fountains
One of the most common questions we hear is what to do with
a garden fountain or accessory in areas where freezes are common.
Proper winter care is required for all cast stone, fiberglass, ceramic, and
terra cotta products to protect them from the freeze-thaw cycles which occur
during the winter. Any garden fountain or statuary that can hold water, snow,
or ice, such as a planter or birdbath can be damaged by the winter freeze-thaw
cycle. Below are some suggestions for minimizing the possibility of damage to
your garden fountains and accessories.
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1. Original Placement
Try to always place your statuary, benches or birdbaths
on a firm, solid foundation and not directly on open soil, grass, or
uneven surfaces. While this seems basic, consider that accumulated water or
ice can make a fountain imbalanced, and can cause a garden fountain or birdbath
to topple.
2. Cast Stone & Concrete Benches/Bird baths/Statuary/Shells
If at all possible, bird bath tops should not remain
outside in winter because if it fills with water, snow, or ice and
freezes, the natural expansion effect will cause the top to crack. All birdbaths
should be stored indoors in winter, be it garage or garden shed. Also, concrete
or cast stone bench legs, decorative statuary, and garden fountains should be
raised off the ground in the winter to avoid the possible damage which could
result if the product freezes to the ground surface.
3. Products made from Cast Stone or Concrete
For planters to be left in place, with plants in them,
over the winter, here are a few suggestions. First, raise it off the
ground. This can best be accomplished by placing two pressure treated wood planks
under the edges of the planter. Take care not to block the drainage hole. Contact
with the wet ground during a freeze-thaw cycle could cause your planters to
crack, chip, or crumble. Secondly, if possible, bring the planter indoors during
the winter. Even if it is in a cold, unheated garage, at least it will be dry.
Third, if you must leave an unplanted container outdoors during the winter,
turn it upside down, on the aforementioned treated lumber stripes, and cover
with burlap or other absorbent material, and then cover with thick, dark plastic,
like lawn & leaf trash bags.
4. Polyethylene Planters/Statuary
Poly (plastic and related materials) garden planters
and decorative statuary are lightweight, mostly durable, resistant
to extreme temperature fluctuations, and UV resistant. Some color variation
is common due to the molding production process. The mold production process
may cause color variation, which enhances the natural beauty of the product.
Keep clean and dry in winter, andif a poly planter or fountain is left outside
for the winter, cover it to keep water from accumulating.
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For more information, visit us online at: For more information,
visit us online at: www.garden-fountains.com

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