How to Winterize Talavera Pottery: Protect Your Outdoor Pots from Freezing & Cracking!, by Pottery Pirate on YouTube. 1 min 8 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 8 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour plus drying time
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Take the plants out of the pot and tip out all the soil. Scrape off crusted dirt with a wooden stick so nothing stays stuck to the inside walls.
Rinse the pot with plain water and scrub it with a soft brush. Skip harsh detergents and never put Talavera in a dishwasher, since both damage the glaze.
Leave the pot to dry in a warm, airy spot for several days, turning it once so the base dries too. Damp clay is what cracks when the temperature drops.
Check the drainage hole and clear any soil or roots blocking it. Water that cannot escape is the main reason outdoor pots split in a freeze.
Move pots you want to keep pristine into an unheated garage, shed or basement before the first hard frost. Cold alone is fine, but a damp pot in freezing weather is not.
If a pot stays outside, stand it on pot feet or bricks so it sits off the wet ground. Tilt it slightly so rain runs off instead of pooling inside.
Cover the top with a plastic sheet or an upturned saucer to keep rain and snow out. Leave the drainage hole open so any moisture inside can still escape.
Store empty pots stacked with cardboard or straw between them. Do not nest them tightly, because wedged pots can crack when you pull them apart.
Wrap large or treasured pieces in bubble wrap or an old blanket for extra insulation. Check them once a month through winter for damp patches or mould.
Tips and common mistakes
Never leave water sitting in a saucer under an outdoor pot, as it freezes first and cracks the base.
Do not bring a frozen pot straight into a warm room, because the sudden heat can craze or split the glaze.
Wear gloves when moving a cracked pot so the sharp edges do not cut your hands.
Check whether the glaze is lead free before using Talavera to serve food, as many decorative pieces are not food safe.
Questions
Can Talavera pots stay outside all winter?
Only in mild frosts, and only if the pot is raised off the ground, tilted to drain and covered on top. In a hard freeze, move it into a shed or garage.
How do I know the pot is completely dry?
The clay looks lighter in colour and feels dry to the touch, including deep inside. Give it about a week in a warm room if you are unsure.
Can I stack empty pots for storage?
Yes, but put cardboard or straw between each one and avoid nesting them tightly. Pots wedged together can chip or crack when you separate them.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
