2 weeks Ago By Jim Faircloth Winona County Master Gardener
Many gardeners have mixed emotions as the summer gardening season winds down, particularly this year. I personally struggled with plant pests for much of the summer; too much rain led to slugs and earwigs. Now, winter is soon approaching before I have finished some planned yard projects and fully enjoyed my flowers and some new plantings.
Here is a process that allows you to extend your love of gardening and plants throughout the winter. Perhaps you may even find winter care of your plants an antidote to any winter blues. Some readers may just be bringing in potted houseplants that were placed outside during the summer, and others may additionally want to dig up, pot, and bring in a few select annuals or perennials.
Regardless of your plans, here are steps to enhance your success. 1. Potted houseplants that have been spending their “summer vacation” outdoors should be brought back indoors well before any frost, but ideally before nighttime temperatures regularly go below 45 degrees (or 50 degrees in the case of more tropical plants).
2. Consider repotting your plant if it has outgrown the existing pot. 3.
You also want to do some maintenance before bringing a plant indoors. Cut off dead, leggy, or unhealthy growth. 4.
Importantly, check for pests. Pests such as mealybugs, thrips, spider mites, slugs, earwigs and many others can be harbored on your plants. Spray your plants with water to remove most pests and dust.
You might also wipe them down with a mild solution of water and dishwashing soap, making sure to clean both the tops and bottoms of leaves; rinse well. Don’t forget to check the potting soil, which may be hosting various pests. Finally, if your plants are particularly resistant to pest elimination, Neem Oil spray can be considered.
5. Gradually introduce your plants to the indoor environment. You want to gradually acclimate your plants to the indoors; otherwise, they may go into shock.
Bring the plants in at night, and then return them outdoors during the day. Gradually allow your plants to remain inside for longer periods, until they have adjusted to the indoor conditions. 6.
Since your plants were likely in sunny locations outside, it is best to initially place them indoors in the sunniest location available. You can gradually move them to less sunny locations. Ultimately, adequate lighting is the key variable to consider with most indoor gardening.
If natural sunlight can’t be provided, consider grow lights. 7. You will want to provide several more important inputs to your plant maintenance: good air circulation, appropriate water (they require less indoors than during their summer vacation), and adequate humidity (indoor air can be dry).
Humidity can be provided with humidifiers, misting, or placing the pot on pebbles in water. Be sure the pot isn’t sitting in water. Fertilizer is usually not necessary during the winter.
If you want to bring indoors a plant that has been living in the ground all summer, you must first consider which type of plant will do well in that environment. There are a variety of annuals, perennials, or bulbs that can be considered. You will need to educate yourself on proper potting and pruning techniques to be successful here.
(The University of Minnesota Extension database provides a wealth of helpful tips: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden .
) True annuals such as zinnias or marigolds are not good candidates for bringing indoors, but a perennial such as lantana can do very well inside. Interestingly, lantanas do best when allowed to go dormant during the winter. With this type of overwintering, place them in a room that is 50 to 60 degrees, with minimal light and watering.
They will be ready to go outdoors again come springtime. Generally, all the preparations for bringing in potted indoor houseplants for the winter also apply to your newly-potted garden plants. Once you have established your set of indoor plants and readied them for the winter, you have a set of tasks requiring your attention, such as checking leaves and soil, moving plants to enhance sun time, and possibly taking cuttings for propagation.
Regular inspection of your plants over the winter may not be as satisfying as a summertime walkabout in your yard, but it might be the next best thing. For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!.
