As the summer season comes to an end, many gardeners seek ways to extend their summer garden’s life and prepare their tender plants for winter. With the first frosts often arriving in early November, it’s essential to take proactive steps to protect valuable plants.
Essential Steps for Year-Round Health
To ensure your summer garden remains viable throughout the colder months, consider the following methods:
1. Insulation and Shelter
- Utilize bubble polythene for insulation in greenhouses.
- Create a “tent” using fleece inside the greenhouse for added protection.
- If heating is necessary, set the temperature to around 3°C.
Many gardeners lack heated greenhouses, especially given the rising energy costs. Therefore, you might need to bring your plants indoors or store them in sheds, which may not provide optimal light conditions.
2. Preparing Plants for Indoor Storage
When transitioning plants, trim back about one-third of their growth and place them in a bright area if possible. Be sure to inspect for pests such as whiteflies or fungal infections. If issues are detected, it’s often best to discard the affected plants.
3. Manage Potting and Watering
- Many potted tender plants thrive indoors, including:
- Aeoniums
- Bananas
- Bird of paradise
- Brugmansia
- Lantana
- House plants like cacti and succulents
These plants require minimal watering, similar to standard houseplants. For some, such as olives or pittosporum tobira, mulching can protect their roots against frost when kept outdoors.
4. Storing Bulbous Plants
For plants that die back to a bulb or rootstock, including cannas and dahlias, effective storage is critical:
- Trim plants once the tops blacken and fade.
- If pot-grown, bring them indoors; otherwise, lift and store them in trays with potting compost to prevent freezing.
- Aim to keep the soil barely moist.
5. Utilizing Cold Frames and Natural Protection
If available, consider using cloches or cold frames to guard against rain and retaining heat. Some gardeners favor open-fronted sheds to keep moisture away from roots. This method improves the odds of plant survival through winter.
In extreme conditions or when options are limited, placing unprotected plants under trees or against sheltered walls can provide unexpected protection during colder spells.
By following these essential steps, gardeners can effectively extend their summer garden’s life and ensure that their plants remain healthy and vibrant year-round.
