http://www.backyardstyle.com/blog Garden Product Reviews Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:11:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 http://www.backyardstyle.com/blog/2009/10/wintering-your-delicate-perennials.html http://www.backyardstyle.com/blog/2009/10/wintering-your-delicate-perennials.html#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:56:47 +0000 WildBirds http://www.backyardstyle.com/blog/?p=437 For an avid gardener, nothing is sadder than losing your delicate plantings to a cold, harsh winter.  The winter elements can be hard on your tender perennials and protecting them from the elements is essential for enjoying them the following year.   In order to save your plants and money for the following year, it is a good idea to transplant your perennials indoors before the temperature becomes too cold for your plants to survive.  Here are some easy steps to follow when transplanting your perennials indoors for the winter:

• When digging up your perennials, use a trowel, like the Fiskars Graphite Handle Trowel, to easily dig around the root ball to release the plant from the soil. 
• If your plant has lost most of the foliage, you can still dig up the roots and place up them in a planter. 
• Once you have dug up the roots, place them in an indoor planter, such as the Flower Pots or Saucers, with moist soil.  This planter is available in a variety of sizes and has saucers (sold separately) to catch the water overflow.
• Use a potting soil that is rich in nutrients to provide your plant with essential nutrients all throughout the winter.  If more fertilization is needed, use a fertilizer for indoor plants.
• It is also a great time to prune your plants and remove any dead leaves or plant parts.  Perennials may also be trimmed down during the winter.
• Another thing to consider when bringing in your plants for the winter, is if they are infected with pests.  It is a good idea to throughly check your plants for pests before bringing your plant indoors.  Some common pests are Aphids, Black Vine Weevils, Leaf Miners, and Root Nematodes.  The Earth-tone Organic Insect Control by Espoma to help control and kill the pests on your plant.  This insect control works quickly to kill insects in the egg, larvae, and adult stage.  It contains organic ingredients that are safe for use on your plants.

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