The leaves are starting to fall. The nights are getting colder. It's getting to be the time to put some of the garden to bed for winter. I wrote recently about my many, many pots and containers, and this is the time where I begin to sort out what to do with them before the cold sets in.
HOUSEPLANTS/TROPICALS
You might not be surprised to hear that I also love my houseplants. Every spring, once the nights are at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit, I pull many of my houseplants outside where they spend the summer months living in indirect light and humidity heaven. But now, nights are slowly getting cool again, and so I watch the forecast carefully. Once I see nights are going below 50 degrees again, it's time for the houseplants to come back inside. Before I do this though, I mix up a spray bottle of one squirt of Dawn dishwashing liquid and water, and spray all the plants down. This will help get rid of any mites or other insects that may have invaded over the summer. Let the plants dry thoroughly before bringing back in.
REPLANTING
Most years, when I'm planning my containers, I select a few plants that are hardy perennials that will thrive in the pot all summer, but in the fall, can be moved into the garden and help to slowly build up the flower beds with perennials. This gets you more bang for your buck! This year, I included one of my favorites (Dusty Miller) in my front flower boxes that had a silver and purple color palette. Their silvery, velvety foliage was a great addition, but I specifically chose them, because I can move them into the garden and in most cases, it will come back next year (and for years after). I have already begun to replant them into my front foundation bed and so they'll have plenty of weeks to settle in before the ground freezes.
OVER-WINTERING
Many of my patio containers are planted with perennials mixed into the seasonal annuals I've selected. I find Hosta and Fern are great for this purpose, as are varigated Vinca Vine and Creeping Jenny Vine. At this point in the season most of the containers are starting to get a bit leggy and tired. As the annuals lose their luster, and the perennials begin their fall die-back (leaves turning brown), I will prepare these containers to be stored for the winter. First, I'll remove the annuals and add them to my compost pile. Next, I'll give them one last watering and then pull the pots into my garage (you can also use a shed or even a cool corner of your basement), and store them neatly in a place that is easy to access. From this point until early March (when I'll pull them back outside again), I will visit them one time per month and water them (yes, even in the depths of winter), and like magic... in the Springtime those perennials will come back to life!
POTS AND CONTAINERS
The very last thing I will do before the first freeze, is to empty and store all the pots and containers not being used for fall and winter display. I have a wide variety of containers made of all kinds of different materials. Terra cotta, ceramic, composite, coir lined, plastic... you name it! My priority is preserving the more delicate materials such as terra cotta and ceramic. Therefore, I do NOT use those containers for fall and winter plantings or display. Composite and plastic are much more up to the task of withstanding winter weather without cracking. For my terra cotta and ceramic containers, I pull out the annuals, empty the soil, wash them, and store them in my garage where they are out the elements. Leaving pots exposed outdoors all winter will severely shorten their life span. Don't do it!
Speaking of those Fall containers, this is a great time to buy Ornamental Kale, Cabbage, Pansies, Mums, Asters, and even Coral Bells to plant beautiful fall arrangements. Get them soon, because they are going fast this year!
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