Baby, before it gets cold outside, move some greenery inside

September 14, 5:50 PMSoutheast MI Home & Living ExaminerJackie DiGiovanni

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This is also a good time to take cuttings of annual flowers, such as impatiens, begonias, geraniums, and coleus. They root easily in water or sand and make attractive houseplants. This is also a good way to overwinter them for planting in the garden next year. 

 

To prevent shock when you bring houseplants back indoors, expose plants gradually to reduced lighting. Usually, if they've been in bright light and you move them into much lower light, expect some leaves to fall off. However, new ones should form as the plants re-adapts to the lower light. It’s best if they've been outside in high light to put them in similar light indoors like a south window or under plant lights on a timer for 16 hours a day.

Before the ground freezes, and after frost has killed the tops, dig and lift roots of tuberous begonia, gladiolus, cannas, and dahlia. Knock excess dirt off the roots and remove foliage, leaving a short stub. Let roots air dry for several days. Store on newspaper or in mesh bags or old nylons or in dry sand, sawdust or peat moss in a cool, dry, frost free garage or basement. Check them occasionally and discard any showing signs of mold or decay.