All good things eventually come to an end and so summer is waning, even as autumn gives most of us a fresh start. I'll bet your summer container plantings aren't really benefiting, though, from the "back to school-oh I love a clean notebook" boost and aren't dying as gracefully as summer itself is. You're going to have to help them through this!
Saving Summer
I understand if you just can't bear the thought of waving good-bye to your wave petunias just yet. That's okay - you can bring some of your tropical annuals indoors for the winter, to ease the pain of parting with them.
If you have the space, a sunny window and enough moisture, you can save palms, ferns and other tropicals. Likely though, you'll have more success with taking cuttings and helping your plants clone themselves. (It's kind of like Day of the Triffids without the evil.)
Pick a healthy plant with no nasty bugs or blights. With a sharp knife, cut off non-flowering stems 3-4 inches (8-11 cm) long, and strip the leaves off the lower two-thirds of the stem. Dip the cut edges in rooting hormone, available at your local nursery, and stick them in dampened sand or peat moss, or a glass of tap water. Place the pot, tray or glass in a sunny spot and wait 3-4 weeks. If the cuttings are in sand or peat, don't forget to water to keep them damp throughout that time.
When the roots are at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, you can plant them in potting soil in attractive containers and winter them on a sunny windowsill or table. This method works well with annuals such as geraniums (pelargonium), coleus, and some ivies. You can also try propagating impatiens this way.
Cleaning Up
Now that you've rescued what you can, get ruthless and empty all of your other outdoor containers. If you have a compost heap, chop up the remains and toss them there. Soil too! This is particularly important if you've been using terracotta or ceramic containers, as the moisture in the soil will expand when it freezes and you'll end up with cracked pots. (If there are any crackpots around my house, I want them to be of the human variety!)
Next, wash out the empty containers to remove any disease and fungal spores. If your terracotta pots have a white build-up from water, potting soil and fertilizer chemicals, soak them for 24 hours in white vinegar and water with some baking soda added. Then scrub them with a stiff brush in warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly.
Air or sun dry the containers and then stack them with layers of newspaper between each. If you have a spot to store them where they won't freeze over the winter months, all the better. If not, as long as you've made certain the pots are dry and well layered with paper, they should be fine until the spring.
Now you're ready to put on a show of fall color. I can tell you EVERYTHING you need to know. Check under "Fall Planting Tips" on the fre*e articles page of my webs-site.
About The Author
Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide "Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden" is now available on her web site. Visit her at http://www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on "Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space".
How much have you thought about landscaping? Do you know... Read More
Perennial plants and flowers stay around for more than just... Read More
Who doesn't love to hear the water rushing and flowing... Read More
Everyone seems to love a secret -- and when the... Read More
There are more reasons than ever why anybody with access... Read More
No dig gardens essentially strive to be their own ecosystem.... Read More
First, this bug has many names. Some of it's names... Read More
More and more people are enjoying their time spent outdoors... Read More
Fuchsia (named after Leonhard Fuchs, a 16th century German botanist)... Read More
It is wisest to let Nature have Her way. Nature... Read More
Flowering cherries While the briefness of their... Read More
Copy-write 2005 Jan Money.Hydroponics gardening offers many advantages to the... Read More
All good things eventually come to an end and so... Read More
When hot, sticky days hit, try to use all your... Read More
Get ready for some gut-wrenching, laugh out loud hilarious pond... Read More
Give the same plants to several people, you will see... Read More
Every spring some mysterious hormone hits the male of the... Read More
As our global community continues to expand we often find... Read More
You've planted the flowers, put in the shrubs and even... Read More
You've found a great Porch Swing and you know exactly... Read More
If you are like many people, backyard birding is a... Read More
Now that Spring is upon us and things are coming... Read More
Summer is just around the corner, and your lawn could... Read More
Have you noticed you do not see as many butterflies... Read More
There are thousands of species of Palm Trees. They are... Read More
Kirengeshoma palmata Sometimes known as yellow waxbells, Kirengeshoma palmata... Read More
Just recently my friend had his house appraised between $800,000... Read More
Many gardeners like to enjoy their roses twice - first... Read More
Know if your plants are disease-susceptible. Your choice of plants... Read More
It's August, the weather has cooled a bit here and... Read More
Tomato Seeds Vs. Tomato Seedlings?Whether you start your own tomato... Read More
The growing of flowering or foliage plants on window ledges... Read More
Ladybugs, also called lady beetles or ladybirds, can be a... Read More
Are you looking for a truly versatile vegetable to grow... Read More
Sure, it makes sense that there's a buzz about vertical... Read More
The fresh air of the early spring solstice and the... Read More
Landscaping is a wonderful pastime enjoyed by many. It provides... Read More
This article is geared towards the beginner water gardener, who... Read More
Orchids are beautiful flowers. The interesting thing about orchids is... Read More
Roses are the traditional gift given on Valentines Day, but... Read More
The protea family (Proteaceae) includes a wide range of ground... Read More
Tired of tomatoes that are rock hard and taste like... Read More
Anyone with a lawn, no matter how small will at... Read More
Extending Your Living SpaceThe garden is fast being considered to... Read More
THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.What Do Your Plants Need?All plants need... Read More
Landscape lighting can add a beautiful quality to any home.... Read More
Throughout the course of time, black roses have conjured... Read More
The principal house plants which are easy to raise by... Read More
So, you have decided to plant rose bushes in your... Read More
It is not difficult to grow bedding plants from seeds,... Read More
Whether you have a preformed or a liner pond, a... Read More
You will know that if you have spent at least... Read More
Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of the... Read More
Potatoes are so easy to grow in the no dig,... Read More
INTRODUCTIONSo you've decided to build your very own backyard water... Read More
When you want to create a beautiful and functional landscape,... Read More
Snow peas may have been named because in bright sunlight... Read More
Are you like me? Sad to see the summer end... Read More
Do you have a knack for being with moths? Most... Read More
An important addition to any British back garden, the greenhouse... Read More
The tomato is the most commonly grown vegetable in the... Read More
The Basics of Hydroponics Gardening.What is hydroponics gardening?Derived from the... Read More
Summer is the most enjoyable water gardening season and the... Read More
Bamboo Orchid PlantWhen you think of bamboo you really think... Read More
Every spring the United States and Canada are blessed with... Read More
A garden a serves a man's every day need for... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |