Overwinter those Geraniums

Host: Gary Bachman, Ornamental Horticulture Specialist

Transcription:

Geraniums are tough; in fact, you can overwinter them in a box today on Southern Gardening.

Southern Gardening with Gary Bachman is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Geraniums are a resilient plant. I’m sure you may have heard you can hang them up for the winter to replant next winter. But here is a method that I came across that may be a bit easier: later this fall, right before a freeze, shake the soil off the roots, and place them in a dry, shady location for a few days to dry. When the leaves have fallen off, place in a cardboard box upside down. There are various opinions why upside down is better, but the geraniums seem to survive better in this orientation. Close the box, and keep in a cool, dry location. 50 – 60 degrees is best. Check every couple of weeks for signs of mold, and cut off if necessary.

The stems should stay firm. A couple of months after your last frost date, the geraniums can be repotted. Fill your containers with good peat base potting mix, and prune the stems back until you find green tissue, and trim up any long roots. Push into the mix at least two nodes deep. You’ll probably start to observe growth between seven and fourteen days, and be careful to not overwater.

In four to six weeks, your new geraniums will be ready for their spring debut whether transplanted into a garden or a big, decorative container. Following these steps can help you enjoy your geraniums year after year and save some money in the process.

I am horticulturist Gary Bachman for Southern Gardening.

Southern Gardening with Gary Bachman is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.