Winterizing Your Plants

By now, most gardeners have harbored their outdoor plants for the winter. My experiences have found that you can place plants inside or in your garage as long as the temperature doesn't drop below freezing. This depends on the variety of plant you are wintering. Heaters will do but become costly especially when the garage door is opened. The extent of the season is the problem. Unless your plants have some light and still get watered, you may loose a few.

I like to be able to keep up with my plants in a manner that I can tend to them. Inside my home has proven to be a lot of trouble. Watering them is the main issue. Despite placing the saucers under them, water manages to creep onto the wood floors. Other methods such as plastic create moisture problems underneath. Then there is the issue of light. If they aren't placed near a window some of the plants become weak and spindly. It is best to trim or cut back such plants in hopes that they will revive come springtime.

Although your plants tend to go dormant during winter, they still need attention. While inside the home or garage, check them for water. Dry heated conditions still evaporate the moisture in the soil. They won't need as much water, however, they do need some. Place your finger in the soil to see if it is still wet or has become dry. Water accordingly. Fertilizer is not needed during winter storage. It is best to let the plants rest. Some plants will survive without light or with very little light as long as you keep an eye on them.

I have found the best way to care for them is to purchase a small greenhouse. The ones I have looked at are rather expensive. Make shift plastic has never worked for me especially with the high winds we have at our home. In researching, I have managed to locate several inexpensive houses that will do for winter storing. There seem to be two types. One is more portable and can be erected like a tent. It is not meant for year round storage and needs to be put up after winter use to keep it lasting much longer. The other I have located is a more durable greenhouse that can be kept up year round. While the portable house is made from a metal strip in the back and front, the rest of the structure consists of plastic rods. This house is very durable if properly set up. It is easy to erect. The more durable variety is has steel poles. This can be an expensive purchase, however, I have located one brand that uses steel frames and a woven plastic cover. Much less expensive than glass or poly covers. These two varieties work very well for storing winter plants. You can walk in the greenhouse, easily check the water and conditions. Light is now available and your plants will recover for spring a lot faster.

If you would like more information on some greenhouses like this, go to: www.hbhstore.com and click on the greenhouse links, especially the portable and the durable links. These are probably the least expensive I have found for the purpose.

All greenhouses need some heat. I use a electric space heater with a control. I would recommend that you purchase a new one rather than using an old rusty heater. You will rest better!
I place a thermometer inside and adjust the temperature to stay around 40-45 d. Depends on the tenderness of the plants. Another problem to look for in any storage situation is the presence of spider mites and aphids. When a plant does not get moisture on the leaves and stays dry so long, these pesty insects seem to pop out of no where. You will see them on the buds or top leaves. There may also be a dark, dirty looking layer over the leaves. When the temperatures are warmer, I spray the plants with water occasionally. Then I use a natural insecticide. One of the best I have found is Safers Insecticidal Soap. Spray the leaves infected as directed.