I will replace this crate with a larger one and a plastic sheet with slits in it will cover over the top in mid to late December.
There is a great way to protect your outdoor plants that I find works well. I did this during the 2017-2018 winter and am just starting to do it during the 2018-2019 winter. Here is what you need:
- A large wooden slatted crate
- Heavy clear plastic sheeting
- Mulch
- Burlap
- Staple gun with staples
Staple the burlap to slatted outside of the crate. This will protect your plants from harsh winter winds but allow in enough air. Staple the plastic sheeting to the bottom of the crate and then make a few slits in it with a knife so that water can drain out. Put a layer of mulch into the crate, place your plants on top, and then surround each with a healthy amount of mulch. Do this in the beginning of November or before the first frost.
As December arrives and the temperature drops to freezing or below, I like to place more mulch into the crate to cover the entire pot as well as the lower portion of all of the trees’ trunks. Now, I staple a layer of thick plastic sheeting over the top of the crate and make slats in it to allow in water and air.
I left may plants outside throughout the entire winter of 2017-2018. In some instances I allowed snow to accumulate on the trees. And as soon as spring arrived, I removed them from the crate and disposed of the mulch. The crate then went into my storage unit for the next winter.