Expert: Mike Mascio - 10/12/2009

Question
I have a beautiful Geranium planted in my flower bed outside and I wanted to know that if I were careful at digging it up and potting it in order to bring it in the house during the winter would it survive?

Answer
I always transplant geraniums into pots and allow them to go dormant for the winter.    

When lifting the geraniums from the garden, take as much of the root ball as possible to keep the roots intact. Gently shake the dirt from the roots, and place the plants in a bucket of tepid water to keep the roots moist. Once you have all the plants dug up, tranplant them into 8" pots filled with a fertile potting mix. Keep the pots in an airy location that is kept relatively cool. A basement or semi-heated garage works fine. Do not water them through the winter months. About 4 weeks prior to your last frost, begin watering them every three days until new growth appears.  

Once your last frost date has passed, you need to harden the plants off by gradually acclimating them again to the outdoors. Start by placing them on a protected porch, out of direct sunlight, for three hours the first day. Double this for about one week until they are out 24 hours. You can then transplant them back in the garden. Water and fertilize as you would with new plants.  

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.  

Regards,     

Mike