When we lived in NH we decorated them for the winter holidays. Mums in the fall. Pine boughs and other evergreen cuttings, a few pieces of fresh holly and some ribbon to match the bows on the wreaths.

I have holes drilled in the bottom of mine, for drainage. I empty it and turn it upside-down for the winter. Lasts longer that way. But I do love to see other people's filled with evergreens and berries.

I must confess I do nothing. Their first year I covered them with heavy duty plastic to keep out the weather, but have since neglected even that. Come spring I revitalize the soil and plant. So far, so good. I reckon they are about 4 years old.

I grow herbs in mine and just leave them as they are overwinter. The oregano and hyssop come back every year. The parsley does not, although it might in the ground here. I have not tried mint or thyme so I dont know if they will be ok. In the spring I exchange some of the soil and plant basil. The barrels will problay not last as long as they would if I emptied them every winter but they will last long enough.

When we had half barrels we left them out for the winter, replenished the soil each spring and planted impatiens in them. After about 10 years they were falling apart and had tree roots growing in them from the city maple tree in the front yard. Amen!

Here we use full barrels to collect rainwater. We empty them in November and roll them into our barn until spring.

I have one that is going on ten years still in good shape. I put holes in it initially and put 4 bricks under it so it wouldn't sit directly on the ground. I don't do anything to the planter -- just replace the soil from time to time.

My SIL one time tried to plant spring blooming bulbs in her whiskey barrel -- they all died. Just a warning to anyone considering this...

Sue

I put evergreen boughs in mine for the winter and sometimes some dried hyrdangeas or other textural items.

I had to get a new barrel a couple of years ago. The previous one from the previous owners finally rotted out. I also put mine on a layer of crushed rock for protection. Good to know that 10+ years is realistic expectation.

I have a 2nd one that I am trying spring bulbs in this year for the first time. I was just about to look for some plastic or other "roofing" material to keep all this upcoming heavy rain out of it.

This will be winter #2 for my 2005-purchased barrels, which have YET to be planted with anything! Purch. late 2005, so didn't plant last year, but got them placed & leveled, and this year, I just didn't get a round tuit, but managed to fill with soil. 3rd year lucky? Hoping so!

I'm using my half whiskey barrel as a water feature. How do I protect the water Lilley and other water plants in the winter, from frost and snow?

@Gina Dullee, the plants will need to be brought inside in a cool to cold area that stays above freezing to have any hope of surviving. Empty of the water because in most of New England it will freeze and damage the container.

I would likely contact the place where you bought the plants for details as it will depend on exactly where you are and what your plants are.