This week’s column is as close to repeating an old column as I come. It is the annual “what to do with those reusable plants when a frost is predicted” column. I write it every year. There is no way to skip this one and so I think of Ann Landers. However, hopefully hard frosts are way off in the future.
I suppose I could make it really easy and just write down the rule: Before frost, bring in pelargoniums, aka geraniums; fuchsia; fibrous and tuberous begonias; and rhodochiton. They do not do well when exposed to freezing temperatures. After frosts bring in dahlias, gladiolas, potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
The other part of the rule would be to set up a winter indoor storage location where it is totally dark and the temperature remains cool, but above freezing. I would suggest 40 to 50 degrees. Anything over 55 is too warm.
You can’t just bring these things in and dump them into storage. It takes the proper prep. Start with the pelargoniums. Dig yours up and shake the soil off. Don’t wash as you want some of the soil to remain. Bring them inside where you can trim off any flowers and the place them, roots and all, upside down in paper bags. Put these into storage.
Of course, as mentioned before, you can keep pelargoniums growing during the winter. Trim them and give them light or put by a sunny window. They will re-bloom starting as early as Christmas.
Storing fuchsias is next. You could just store them. However, when nurseries do the job they trim them into an 8-inch tall pyramid. That way the summer plant will literally be the proper shape. Place them in storage after one last watering.
Fuchsias, too, can be grown as houseplants. The only requisite is a cool temperature, say 55 degrees or so. If you want them to flower, grow them under lights.
Next are tuberous begonias. These get bigger and better every year so there is a real reason to keep them. Bring them indoors to a cool spot such as the garage, stop watering and let the foliage die back. You can then store them in their containers or, carefully remove them and place them on the bottom of a shallow box without touching each other. You can cover with sawdust if you can get your hands on some.
Rhodochiton are treated like tuberous begonias only they remain in their containers. Just coil any hanging stems into the container. Collect seed pods for starts next year or to give away to friends.
Dahlias do very well with a few frosts. That one tuber you planted will have multiplied and now resembles a bunch of bananas so be careful digging them. Once you do, cut off the stem but leave an inch or two so that there is a piece for each tuber once you divide them. I do my dividing in the spring. Make sure to label clumps so you know what you have next year. You can write on tubers with a magic marker.
Gladiolas can handle frost well. When you do dig yours up, note that there should be a new corm under the old one. This is what you want for next year. You can wait until next year to break the clump apart clean up the dead leaves. Meanwhile, store in a box in your winter storage spot.
And, as long as I am repeating myself, there are lots of summer annuals growing outdoors that can be “stored” under lights. Bring some these flowering plants indoors and enjoy their continued blooms. Isolate them for a week or so to contain hitchhiking pests
Jeff’s Alaska Garden Calendar:
Alaska Botanical Garden: Garlic sales: In-person sales begin Saturday, Sep. 21, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Online sales begin Monday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. Member benefits apply so join.
How to get started growing garlic from seed: ABG Horticulturist Will Criner will cover all the basics on Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. Cost to attend is $8 per person and is free for members.
Free apple tasting: The Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association invites you to a free apple and fruit tasting on Saturday from 1–2:30 p.m. in the Begich Middle School All-Purpose Room. Sample the many apple varieties grown locally and discover the ones that you want to grow!
Plantskydd: What are you waiting for? Colder weather? Spray or paint it now to keep moose at bay.
Compost: Collect some grass clippings to mix in with new leaves. Let there be heat and decay!