(IT’S ALMOST) MY SUMMER GARDEN

GERANIUMS

Everyone likes those wonderful red Geraniums, right?
I’ve tried all the colors and for a while was enamored of the pink; but no the red are, to me, the quintessential summer geranium!

And I, like so many others, would discard my plants at the end of the season after they had been taken down by the first frost. Well, sometimes I did overwinter them and brought them inside where they might flourish, or not. It was not a given that they would look anywhere near decent through the winter.

So last fall I decided to try what several people on Hometalk had suggested: overwintering my geraniums in the garage.

This is the end result:

Here they are, fresh from winter hibernation. I had put each pot in a white plastic garbage bag. I didn’t seal it: I left it fairly open at the top for air. I didn’t touch them all winter: no water, no food. Oh, and yes, I had cut them back hard when I put them “away.”

About four weeks ago I brought them outside and put them directly in the sun and watered them. Then I left them for two weeks. I watched and waited. And sure enough, the leaves started turning that bright green and right away new flowers started to form. I haven’t fed them at all.

Here they are at the back step, awaiting repotting:

As you can see, one of them didn’t make it through the winter..

Almost there….

I brought out a medium/large terra cotta pot:

I always use an Ups-A-Daisy container insert. They are the best. Just place one about half way down, inside the pot (I use shards to partially cover the large holes) and fill with soil.

I have a pile of flat stones on the side of my driveway. I just grab a piece and gently tap with a hammer to get some small shards.

I use Bio-Tone plant starter for both pots and garden; it really does help the newly planted flowers and shrubs.

And here you have it: the geranium is in the back with some new petunias and a coleus.

You can still see the woody stem in this image: I didn’t cut back the old stems all the way, so left room for new growth.

Full disclosure: that larger geranium in the back was bought just this week. It, too, will go through winter hibernation next fall.

Have you ever tried this method of overwintering? Do you have any other suggestions? Do you even like geraniums?

Looking for More Great Summer Garden Ideas? Check these out:

Nemcsok Farms- Fantastic Foliage For Your Summer Garden /
Drought Smart Plants- Early Morning in the Summer Garden /
Sensible Gardening and Living- Touring The Garden in Mid Summer /
The Gardening Cook – Budget Front Yard Make Over /
Blooming Secrets- 4 Steps To Beautiful Window Boxes /
Our Good Life –
– The Summer Secret to Enjoying Your Garden-Parties! /
New House New Home- Creating Your Own Garden Style /