This is a test of the garden emergency network…this is only a test…normal weather patterns will return soon, I’m sure.

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up in the Midlands: temperatures will drop into the low 40’s tonight, so you need to bring all of your tropical plants inside for the night.  Average monthly temperatures for October stay in the low 50’s at night, so make plans to transition these plants indoors for the winter as soon as possible.

In my garden, tropicals include: ficus trees, a Norfolk pine, a pepper plant, a bay tree, and an aloe plant.  Other plants on the at-risk list would be my lemon tree and geraniums. 

Indoor plant concerns:

Pets playing in the pots:

Pinecones gathered and sprayed with bug spray work great for keeping cats from digging in container garden pots.  I’ve also used the doggie off sprays with some success.  Other mulches that prevent digging are aluminum foil, crushed aluminum cans and the green plastic frogs used by florists.  A nice bit of fabric gathered loosely around the plant with ribbon looks best for more formal rooms.

Meeting plant requirements:

Find a spot with good indirect sunlight for your sun loving tropicals.  Direct sunlight through glass windows can overheat plants and cause more problems than it solves.  For plants that do not require full sun any nice spot in the house away from drafts will do.

 Keep in mind the humidity requirements of your tropicals as well…a well-used bathroom provides the highest humidity in the house but may not have enough room for large tropical trees. In this case, a humidifier may come in handy…you need one anyway, as central heating not only dries out your plants but also your own sinuses.  Do yourself a favor and get one if you don’t already have one.

I also like to dose all plants coming inside with osmacote fertilizer.  This keeps me from having to mix liquid fertilizers in the house.  But if you like compost tea in your house, one of those empty juice or soda bottle will work for that as well.  Worm compost also makes a nice overwinter fertilizer and doesn’t have much odor to humans.

Floor and surface protection:

Plants and water inside can cause problems.  I’ve tried the cork plant pads and they have not worked for me.  I usually use plain old, cheap pot holders under my smaller pots and the big trees are on rollers of course.  This can be fun during the holidays as you decorate the trees and move them from window to window just for a little neighborhood intrigue!

 Thank goodness I have a mud sink for the occasional good deep soaking indoor plants require…a brief stint under the shower will also help them out.

While you’re doing your prep work, might as well grab a few old sheets and pillowcases for covering your outdoor garden.   Our average frost date is the first week in November but could happen as early as next week according to historic records. 

Don’t forget to fill up the bird feeders for all the migrants moving through.  That little extra bit of energy before and after bedtime could make the difference between surviving and thriving for our feathered flowers.

Happy containering!