Gardening All Year Long
Summer brought fresh basil from your window box and blooming annuals from the potted plants on your porch. But suddenly, you’re watching football on the weekends and sporting a jacket on trips to the grocery store. As the weather begins to cool, what will happen to your apartment garden? Don’t pack up and get ready to migrate yet—there are steps you can take to maintain your garden through the colder weather. Here’s a guide to help keep your plants maintained year round:
September
Did you plant perennials or annuals? Annuals were only meant to live one season but perennials give you lots of options. If you live in a climate where freezing is unlikely, you can keep your potted plants and window box gardens alive through the winter. Extra attention will be necessary as the weather changes but watering, fertilizing and cleaning up debris are still the basics for maintaining a healthy garden. Those in colder climates can take comfort in the fact that plants can be transferred indoors.
Plants often do best when they are restarted inside. To do this, snip off a six-inch section of the terminal growth (the actual buds) from the plant. Strip off the lower leaves and start a new planter of water, sand or soil. When the plant begins to root, usually within a few weeks, it can be transferred to a pot.
Artificial sun can be created by the use of a fluorescent light. This light can be used up to 14 hours a day. Some plants may thrive if only kept near a sunny window.
If you don’t choose to grow an indoor garden, plan on putting an end to your garden by next month (earlier if you live in a far northern climate).
October-November
If you’re not moving your perennials indoors, here are your options:
- Plant them. Use your own garden space or ask a friend if they wouldn’t mind having some plants until spring. Place them in an area with ample drainage and water them once a week.
- Plant them in their pots. Unless you are using terra cotta planters, you can put plants in the ground right in their planters to be dug up in the spring.
- Create a leaf shelter. Take all your plants to a north or east facing part of your property and cover them with shredded leaves. When the deep winter ends, you can put the plants back in their summer home.
- Store them. Put the plants in a garage or other shelter that is dark and stays 40-50 degrees. Water them one time and then let them be until spring.
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