I brought them in a day early (at lunchtime) because we were expecting rain in the afternoon, and many of these plants would not be nearly as happy sitting in a cold garage in wet soil. Plus they're easier to move when dry -- much lighter!
The big Pachpodium was the most difficult, as I needed to lean it over to get it through the front door.
This is a snap with two people, but with one, it's a bit of a challenge. Since I don't have this plant's final winter spot picked out yet, I just left it inside the front door. The blanket wrap is still in place because it's literally right inside the door -- open the door, step inside, and you're face-to-trunk with this prickly beast.
The agaves and most of the begonias and a few other succulents went into the garage for now, but some of the smaller succulents went under the grow lights:
There was really no plan here, and I have much cleanup and organizing to do.
Some plants had to go into my little workshop area since there wasn't enough room in the garage:
No worries though, because I'll set up some shelving this weekend and I have a dozen fluorescent light fixtures that came with the begonia collection for light, so my floor space will soon be back.
I'm never prepared for the first cold snap, probably because I garden in denial when it comes to the approach of winter. I'd procrastinate bringing plants indoors even if the first freeze didn't happen until January!
At least everything is indoors now.
What was it, 30 pots? More? It was a lot of trips.
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Look at you being all prepared a day ahead of the freeze! It's nice to see your pots all snuggled in for winter. Now, why is it that we insist on growing so many plants that aren't hardy in our zones?
ReplyDeletePeter: considering that it's 41F with gusty winds, I'm glad I didn't wait until today -- I'd be freezing! Why do we do it? Why do we grow plants indoors at all? Because we LOVE PLANTS! (You make it sound like we have choice in the matter) :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes you just have to get them in and plan their placements later like what you've just done. Not an easy feat but you can relax now that you know they'll be safe. That Pachypodium is seriously spiky!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right , it is certainly easier to move all those pots when they are dry, and certainly better for the plants which prefer to remain dry in cold weather. I just wish we were getting them out, rather than putting them away!
ReplyDeleteMark/Gaz: Sometimes? That's how I always do it! :)
ReplyDeleteJane: I actually feel like I need a plant break for a month or two, so I'm glad it's not spring already! (Talk to me again in January)
Ah, a familiar ritual! I think a lot of us garden in denial of winter coming!
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