This week we’ve talked a lot about getting ready for fall. Every morning I’ve noticed a slight nip in the air as the cooler months of October and November approach. The summer seemed to zip by much too fast.
Starting your preparations for the coming fall and winter months about six weeks ahead is a good idea. We’ve talked about getting your lawn ready, however don’t overlook your containers, container plants are an overlooked group this time of year. Here are a few suggestions for your containers:
- Annuals: You can extend the life of your annuals by rooting them in either water or a potting mix such as vermiculite, perlite, or soil-less potting mix. You’ll need to strip all but the top few leaves off the stem, keep the potting medium moist at all times, and keep the plants out of direct sunlight. After a few weeks you should have a dense mass of roots that you can pot and grow as houseplants. Although this doesn’t work with all annuals, it’s a fun experiment during the winter months.
- Tropical Plants: Many tropical plants make great houseplants throughout the winter months. It’s a good idea to get ready now, because in Utah the temperatures can drop suddenly. Woody tropical plants can easily winter indoors—or in the garage if it doesn’t drop below freezing.
- Perennials: You may want to consider transplanting perennials from your containers directly into your garden. Trim the roots a bit to stimulate the growth of new feeder roots and trim the top growth a little once you’ve planted them in the garden.
Feel free to stop by any of our Western Garden Centers if you have any questions about getting your container plants ready for winter.
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Becky is a wife, mother, avid cook and novice gardener. She loves growing organic, wholesome food right in her backyard that she can transform into a delicious creation in her kitchen. When she's not growing or cooking food, she enjoys running half marathons, reading, and watching her children pull weeds in the garden.
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