Cement statuary designed to hold water (such as planters, birdbaths, and fountains) can pose a problem during a freeze. Ice can form inside the shell or basin and can damage the finish or the piece may crack when the ice expands. Here are a few hints to help you protect your statuary:
The BEST thing to do before the weather gets too cold is drain the fountain and cover it for the winter. If covering is not an option, we have fountain heaters available.
If you have a 2-piece birdbath, turn over the top bowl. Birdbath heaters are also available for year-round comfort of your winter-hardy birds.
Take any delicate (and as many other pieces as possible) inside for the winter. Many pieces of statuary can be rather attractive displayed inside the house.
Turn planters upside down.
Gazing Globes
If you have a glass or stainless steel globe you probably are fine leaving them out during cold weather. I would not, however, leave out a glass ball during a windy storm no matter what time of year. They can be knocked off their stands and bust or a limb can fall and crush them. Come to think of it, a stainless steel globe can be dented and scratched as well.
Stained Glass Butterflies
Yes, Susan Wiseman, I mean those like you bought...the big stained glass butterflies that we had displayed in the butterfly garden. Any stained glass piece, no matter whether it’s the butterfly garden stakes or the goldfish stepping stone should be brought in before it freezes.
From The Autumn 99 Edition of What's
Up, Doc?, October, 1999
© Copyright 1999, The Pond Doc's Water Garden Center. All rights Reserved.
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