OverWintering Tender Plants: Introduction
Now that the temperatures are beginning to drop, it’s time to consider overwintering those tender plants.
Many are unlikely to withstand the ice and frost of the coming season.
An ideal place is a conservatory, but any sunny windowsill out of the icy drafts of the cold weather should be fine.
Temperatures of 15-20ºC (60-70ºF) during the day are ideal.
You should keep some heating on at night, too, to avoid an extreme drop in temperature.
Which Plants Should be Overwintered Indoors?
Think of your tender perennials, such as begonias, gardenias, pelargoniums and fuchsias.
Brugmansia and Colocasia will also benefit from being kept in a warm and sheltered environment during the winter months- just like we do!
It’s also a good idea to bring your orchids in from the cold, too.
Do Shrubs Need To Be Overwintered Indoors?
Hibiscus, Bougainvillea, Plectranthus, Citrus, Clivia, Tibouchina and Stephanotis will all fare better inside the house, and will cheerfully tolerate an even, cool temperature of around 10 degrees C.
They won’t need to be watered frequently, just kept slightly moist.
Can Tender Plants be Overwintered in a Cool Conservatory?
Even without any heating, a cool conservatory providing a minimum of 5-7ºC (41-45ºF) makes an ideal place to overwinter tender plants from the garden, so it’s still worth bringing those tender plants indoors.
Plants from hot climates, such as bananas, tree ferns and palms all suffer from frost damage outdoors, particularly when they are young, so they will benefit from being kept indoors out of the worst of the cold weather.
A cool conservatory is also suitable for overwintering tender plants such as container-grown climbers, such as Jasminum polyanthum, Sollya heterophylla and Rhodochiton Astrosandguineus.
When Should These Tender Plants Be Brought Inside?
Keep an eye on the temperatures from September onwards and be ready to spring into action should you spot them dropping below 12-15ºC (54-59ºF).
Five Steps For Relocating Tender Plants Indoors For Overwintering
Step One: Don Wellingtons, warm jacket and a stout pair of gardening gloves. Ensure that you have had a nice big mug of coffee from a gardening-inspired mug, to keep your tummy warm before venturing out.
It goes without saying, but this is a vital step.
Step Two: Visit the garden shed and locate a sturdy fork or spade and very gently prise the required tender plants out of the soil.
The aim here is to keep the root ball intact as much as possible.
Step Three: Trim the stems with some secateurs, being sure to remove any dead or diseased leaves and flowers.
You also want to shake off the extra soil, as you are going to be placing the plant into fresh potting compost.
Step Four: Next, repot the plants into some attractive pots, using fresh potting compost, and the job is done.
Taking Care Of Tender Plants Over Winter
These plants need to be watered sparingly over the winter months, so take care not to overdo it.
Look out for pests, such as red spiders, insects or aphids which may have been hiding in the plants when they were outdoors.
Conclusion
Summary of Key Points
Overwintering tender plants requires a combination of proper planning, site selection, and protective measures.
By understanding the specific needs of each plant, gardeners can effectively shield them from cold damage and ensure their survival through winter.
For gardeners looking to protect their tender plants, now is the time to start planning.
Assess your garden, choose appropriate protection methods, and consult with experts if needed. By taking proactive steps, you can enjoy a flourishing garden year-round.
Recommended reading
How To Protect Your Plants During The Cold Winter
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