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I have three of these and I think it will not be a good idea to leave them like that over winter. This is in Toronto Canada. Here is the hardiness map. I was thinking that storing them in a shed my work. How much light do they need?

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Update: one year later

enter image description here Not a bad winter all in all. at some point the planters where full of ice, the plants were covered in ice because the water did not drain (the bottom holes plugged) and it froze filling the planters up

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We have a dozen of more of these planted with various succulents and experiments and we garden in zone 5a which is colder than your zone. Winter preparation is to move them to an area with good snow cover. Snow is an excellent insulator from the wild changes in temperature that seem to be the new norm.

Toronto weather tends to be moderated by the lake but this means your chief worry is the plants getting waterlogged then frozen.

I would move them to an area protected from winds, road salt and bright sun. An easterly or protected northern site should do.

Then, to protect against them getting too wet I would make a little tent to keep the rain/snow off. As long as it has ventilation it should not warm them up during the winter.

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  • Toronto Canada is lower than 5a? If this guy has a protected, cold, shed with a great window for light, wouldn't that be perfect? I've seen sedum do just fine in extreme cold and come back, much to my surprise. But unless there is a great snow cover before temperatures drop into freezing then there is little chance to recover. Covering with newspaper and row cover for the winter as well would work pretty well but not assured. Wouldn't a cold shed with light be better, Kevinsky?
    – stormy
    Aug 16, 2016 at 0:39
  • @stormy. Toronto is warmer and wetter in 5b. A shed would do nicely
    – kevinskio
    Aug 16, 2016 at 0:42
  • Where are you Kevinsky with 5b zone? This latitude thing is distressing. I live in Oregon and we are 1b! The same as most of Alaska...sigh.
    – stormy
    Aug 16, 2016 at 0:46
  • I do have a shed with a 2'x1' window (one sheet of glass though) and venting at the top side (there is 3" space between roof and its support for almost the entire perimeter of the shed) The temperatures will be a little higher in this shed and no wind at all. Rats might drop by but they won't stay since it will be cold :-)
    – MiniMe
    Aug 16, 2016 at 0:46
  • I was wondering if the roots of these plants won't be more exposed to cold and freezing than if the ones planted in soil directl, just because these planters are shallow and the sides are exposed to cold air/weather
    – MiniMe
    Aug 16, 2016 at 0:51

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