November is the month when we really need to look after our winter container displays—especially those beautiful pots filled with cyclamen, pansies, and little evergreens. If your plant pots are sitting flat on the patio or decking, you’re setting them up for a tough winter, and here’s why: drainage is everything. As the rain and cold intensify, the soil in a flat-sitting pot becomes waterlogged easily. The drainage holes get blocked by surface tension or debris, leaving your plant roots constantly soaking. For winter plants, which are sensitive to dampness, this leads quickly to the dreaded root rot. This simple problem can kill your favourite display. To fix it, you just need to create an air gap underneath the pot to let that water escape freely. This simple step is absolutely critical for healthy winter survival.

A clever, free fix: Milk bottle lids

You don’t need to buy expensive, chunky pot feet or use unsightly bricks! This is where a little bit of recycling genius comes in. Just grab four plastic milk bottle lids and place them upside down under the edge of your container to create a stable, discreet one to two centimetre lift, which is exactly the space needed for water to flow straight out of the drainage holes. They effectively act as little risers, keeping the entire base off the cold, wet ground. By using something you were going to throw away, you’re not only giving your container plants the best shot at a long life, but you’re also transforming plastic waste into a practical, sustainable gardening aid. It’s a quick, free, and incredibly effective solution to keep your winter displays happy right through to spring!