Over Wintering Plants

Depending on your geographical location, your plants may or may not be candidates for over wintering. Those living in colder winter climates should consider this activity. Obviously, the more outdoor plants you have, the more complex the process.

Simply put the term ‘over wintering’ means to prepare your plants for the winter season. This makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?

Any plant typically grown as a houseplant can easily be brought back indoors. However, you’ll want to check for small insects, before doing so. (Spraying plants with a mixture of mild soap and water will help to kill very small bugs, such as spider mites.)

You will want to take the time to re-pot plants that have grown a great deal during the summer season. Healthy growth usually means the same plants will continue to thrive indoors. It will be much easier to replant them now, outdoors, where you don’t have to worry about making a huge mess.

If you will be over wintering a multitude of herbs from an outdoor herb garden, it may be easier to simply root them in water. Rosemary is an excellent choice when using this method. Alternatively, if planted in a pot that provides proper drainage, this herb can grow several feet tall during the winter season.

For extra convenience, place large potted plants on casters, so they can be moved with ease. There is nothing worse than cleaning up a dirt spill, when you are in the middle of re-arranging the furniture.

Most other common herbs can be re-potted and used throughout the winter. It is recommended that they be placed in a sunny windowsill. Water them as necessary.

You can easily store bulbs in a cool, dry, place such as a

cellar or basement. This should be done after the first significant frost. Dig up bulbs or tubers, carefully. Clean off excess dirt and allow them to dry. For best results, store bulbs in open boxes filled with peat. Bulbs can also be stored in a shed, but should be checked periodically to make sure they haven’t been damaged by mice or other outdoor critters.

If you are fond of geraniums, you will be happy to know that there are several ways to over winter them. Because they do quite well in containers, you can transplant them in this manner.

Pots should be placed in a cool location that receives direct sunlight. Geraniums should be watered well, immediately after the transplanting process. They should then be watered regularly, as soil begins to dry.

Potting soil should be used as a medium. Garden soil is too heavy and does not allow proper drainage.

Geraniums can also be over wintered, by taking cuttings from your outdoor plants, before frost hits. This is an excellent way to obtain multiple plants, for the next year’s garden without actually purchasing them.

Three to four inch pieces of the geraniums stem tip should be removed, with a sharp knife. These cuttings should be planted in commercial rooting hormones, which are readily available at your local discount store or garden center.