Our first “real” frost came this week. Funny, it was sandwiched in between days soaring to near 60. Regardless, the reality is setting in – winter is coming. BONUS: The sun is shining almost every day and if the sun is shining all is good. I’m solar powered!☀️
Garden work the past two weeks has been about getting the last of the potted plants safely inside. Winters here are not only cold they are dark so I bought more grow lights to add in the potting shed and Mr. G’s shoppe. Isn’t he the nicest thing to let my large Myrtle Topiaries hang out there all winter. He may regret saying yes. This will be their first Indiana winter they are going to need all the help we can give them! #rudeawakening
Grow lights I bought… Clip On (link) and on stand (link)
GERANIUMS VS PELARGOnIUMS
Many of the plants that came into the potting shed were scented and zonal “geraniums” (pelargoniums). They are tender plants and of course, we either have to say goodbye or they come inside. The “true” geraniums like Johnson’s Blue, Rozanne, and Dreamland will greet me next spring.
The pelargonium/geranium thing is a bit confusing. The confusion seems to have started as far back as the 17th century when the first pelargoniums were brought to Europe and were called geraniums probably due to how they looked when the experts of the day in taxonomy were making those decisions for us. Want to know more? The Laidback Gardener clears it up! Read on
Regardless of what you decide to call them, these plants are absolutely necessary for my garden as I feel it would be naked without them!
POTTING SHED WINTER POPULATION
Some plants are adjusting well to the switch from outside to inside like the evergreen topiaries who don’t seem to notice they moved. The two small lavender topiaries I started from cuttings last year are a different story. They have definitely noticed! One is struggling, and the other one is giving up! 😕
BLOOM THYME
It will take more than 29 degrees to discourage some plants but others have raised the white flag until spring! Like the Dahlias and the Hydrangeas! WO!
Next up around here will be trimming roses, digging dahlias, more garden clean up and a bit of bulb planting. (I said I wasn’t going to plant bulbs this fall but I’m weak and stores know just where to place them.)
Friends until next time, wherever you are, whatever the weather stay safe and well. 😘
Is it okay to still cut back some of the rose bushes? I never have after Labor Day.
Yes. I never do my winter pruning until frost. I will start next week.
I thought that I had left a reply, but I do not see it before shutting down the computer. Weather here in VA is very chilly, but it is usually always sunny. Halloween was great with around 70 trick or treaters; some were older than 12 though. My roses and impatiens are still blooming and so beautiful. Enjoyed seeing your pics. The geranium is so pretty. Just sent you several pics of my French Marigolds. I got them at Home Depot when they put their flowers outdoors. I have made several small arrangements with them to give away, and I am saving the seeds from the spent blooms. They, too, are still blooming. I have planted pansies and a white ornamental cabbage that looks like a rose.
Oh my! Frost already! Actually though, autumn seemed to be later in some regions, but early here. The fall color was developing here at about the same time that it was developing in Eastern States. We do not get as much, so enjoy what we get. Of course, the chill here has been just enough to get the color started, without getting cold yet.