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Bringing the Garden Indoors

© Marilyn Burns

With the cost of plants rising annually, it only makes sense to try to carry over a few plants year to year. Many plants that are not true annuals, but are treated as such because of lack of hardiness, respond well to overwintering.

One plant that will overwinter well with care is the geranium, or pelarogonium. By cutting the plant back by a third, repotting, and placing under lights or on a sunny windowsill, you can hold your geraniums over for next year's gardening season. Be careful to keep them in a cool area, at about 56 degrees to 60 degrees. Water when dry, and be sure to keep them pinched to promote fullness.

Coleus and Impatiens can also be brought indoors for the season. Ideally, cuttings can be taken from your plants and rooted in the late summer to early fall Cuttings can be also be taken in late winter to early spring for new plants. Take cuttings from the mother plants and root them in a sterile and soilless planting medium. Keep moist, but not soggy.

Fuschia is another plant that many gardeners want to hold over from year-to-year. One of the best ways that I have used to overwinter these plants is to bring them in just before frost, and hold them over in a dormant state in my attached garage. It rarely dips below 40 degrees in the garage, although it can get quite chilly. I water them sparingly, perhaps once every three or four weeks. In late winter, I bring the fuschias indoors, give them a good pruning, and bring them into brighter light so they will awaken from their dormant state. This method has also worked well for me when overwintering Brugmansias.

Just be sure to inspect your plants and treat them for insects before bringing them indoors to spend the winter months with you. Discard any plants that are infected with disease. They will not thrive, and can be a source of problems for your other indoor plants.

Overwintering can be a valuable source of inexpensive plant material. Try to overwinter a few plants this year for a head start on the next growing season!

October "Honey Do" List:

1. Plant spring flowering bulbs at this time, and continue until the ground freezes. For protection against marauders, plant in bulb cages or add chicken wire over the area. Be sure to add an organic bulb fertilizer or bone meal when planting bulbs.