Many in my online gardening group have already filled their windowsills, basements and greenhouses with coleus, begonias, geraniums, petunias and impatiens–you name it–saving space.
At first glance, this initiative seems admirable: plants normally discarded after the summer are now being winterized so that they may come back into vibrant life come springtime. Unfortunately, though, I can’t take up these thrifty practices – there are just too many factors at work here for me!
There is little risk that garden centers or mail order will not have access to similar or better cultivars next year, though I prefer variety when it comes to coleus varieties; after four months with only eight varieties I decided it was time for change! There are so many great varieties (if you like coleus as I do). And petunias, annual salvias and begonias offer so many more choices each year than before – I must just have short attention spans; every year brings with it something new that attracts me – new varieties that bring something shiny – or maybe just plain shiny.
No overwintering option appeals to me; perhaps the greenhouse could, but that would require full outdoor access and all its bells and whistles, which isn’t realistic given my limited urban space. Windowsills filled with little glasses of rooting coleus? Ugh! A basement setup requiring 24/7 lighting? Our 140-year-old house’s basement is more like a dark cellar anyway so this would require hiring an electrician, not something I want to bother with just for geraniums!
I also enjoy other winter plant-related activities. Forcing 150 bulbs will be an enjoyable challenge in my basement’s root cellar; and upping my houseplant game considerably has been inspired by guest Ranter and friend Johanna Dominguez. As my selection has greatly expanded over time, and by Johanna’s example; none cost more than $40 with many costing even less; no emotional attachment is attached, no strings attached when I decide not to keep one… but overall I have 45 or so tropicals that overwinter indoors for overwintering then bring outside annually for fresh airing!
As with houseplants, infestations and similar issues will inevitably arise. At least with annuals, all this stuff can be more easily dealt with outside.
Every spring I buy annuals at local nurseries and garden centers to support these family-owned small businesses, which I look forward to supporting every year – seeing familiar faces means summer is finally here!
