Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bit of gardening. Even on the coldest days, you can find ways to make gardening a part of your daily routine, but how can you do that?
In this article, we’ll answer all of the winter garden questions you might have on your mind, and even some you might not have thought about! Keep reading to answer all your winter gardening questions.
Can I Move My Outdoor Plants Inside?
You definitely can. However, not all plants can be easily moved indoors. For example, plants in containers are more portable and easier to bring inside than those growing in the ground. Keep this in mind when planning your garden.
This is why cold-hardy plants, shrubs, and trees are better suited to be grown directly in the soil. For those that are a bit sensitive to temperature fluctuations, you might need to make preparations for them by bringing them inside your home.
How do I Make Sure My Indoor Plants Get Enough Light During Winter?
Sunlight can be reduced by as much as half during the wintry months, which can adversely affect your indoor plants. When plants don’t get enough light, they can end up leggy as they struggle to look for light sources. Worse, they can end up dying as sunlight is essential to their energy production.
To combat this, start by bringing your plants near a window with bright light exposure. A southern-facing window is usually best as it will provide the maximum daily sunlight exposure.
If that’s not possible, or still isn’t enough light, try supplementing with grow lights. These are fairly cheap, and do wonders for your plant when natural sunlight isn’t enough.
Lastly, you should periodically clean your plant’s leaves for dust and debris. These can prevent sunlight from reaching your plant making a bad situation worse.
Should I Water My Indoor Plants During Winter?
Most plants go through a dormant period during the cold winter months. This means that they will require less water and fertilizer. That doesn’t mean to not water though, so still, keep up with your routine checks.
As a rule of thumb for most plants, watering should be 2-4 timers per month, especially for those with roots that are prone to rot from overwatering. To be safe, water your plants only when two inches of the topsoil is dry, and make sure that the water drains quickly.
How do I Keep My Indoor Plants From Freezing or Drying Up?
The great news is that your plants are safer when grown or taken indoors during winter. Most plants thrive in temperatures of 60 F to 70 F, which is roughly where most people will keep their homes during winter.
Most plants prefer to have the air around them a bit humid, so mist them lightly with water now and then. There are other ways to increase humidity, which you can read up on here.
Can I Feed My Plants During the Winter Season?
Given that most plants go dormant when the winter season comes, it’s best to avoid giving them fertilizers. As they are not actively growing, the fertilizer could end up burning them instead of nourishing them. Hibernating plants need to sleep during winter, so it’s best to only feed them when the warmer seasons arrive.
How Do I Protect My Plants From the Cold?
There are numerous ways you can avoid exposing your plants to the frosty temperatures that the winter season brings. The easiest way is to bring them inside, but this works only if they are potted or are small enough to fit inside your house.
Another way is to insulate outdoor plants with mulch or garden covers. You can even opt to build a greenhouse that can help your plants withstand the cold temperatures of the winter season.
For shorter periods, you can use plant covers or old sheets to help insulate your plants. This won’t work for an entire season, but is good to protect your plants from an early or late frost.
Can I Leave My Bulbs Outside for the Winter?
That really depends on the type of bulbs you plan to leave out. Some bulbs are cold-hardy and can last through the winter. Examples are tulips, crocuses, daffodils, and hyacinths. Other types of bulbs are more tender and will require extra care during the winter.
Overwintering is the process of digging up tender bulbs to protect them from frost damage. This method might take a bit of effort, but it will save money from reordering bulbs that have died over the winter season.
Is it Okay to Place Some of My Outdoor Plants in My Bedroom?
It’s definitely fine to decorate your bedroom with some of your outdoor plants. However, before bringing them inside, make sure that they’re free of any pests or diseases. This way, you avoid any infestations among your indoor plants.
Some even believe that bringing plants into the bedroom can have benefits. Aside from being decorative, they may increase the oxygen indoors while cleaning up the air. Of course, it will depend on the type of plant you bring indoors.
Is It Possible to Grow Herbs Indoors During The Winter?
Definitely! Some homeowners prefer to grow herbs indoors throughout the year and not just for the winter. Having fresh herbs right at your disposal during the holidays means that your meals end up tastier and more flavorful.
Aside from this, you end up with plants that are highly decorative and fragrant, especially when you grow herbs like rosemary, sage, basil, thyme, lavender, chives, and mint.
Can I Grow Vegetables in The Winter Season?
As long as you grow your vegetables indoors or in greenhouses, they should be able to survive the winter without any problem. In fact, some vegetables do better when grown indoors since the growing conditions are more controlled. As long as you provide these vegetables with the right amount of light, water, and warmth, you should be able to grow them during the winter.
Will My Succulent Survive The Cold?
Unfortunately, succulents are warmth-loving plants with an additional preference for bright lights and dry soil. Left outside, succulents will perish and die from the cold. Since they store their water inside their thick skin, the low temperatures can cause succulents to burst open as that water freezes.
It’s best to bring your succulent plants inside when winter comes along. Give them the right amount of care, and they should be able to survive the cold season without any damage.
Can a Greenhouse Protect My Plant From Winter Temperatures?
Greenhouses can help insulate plants from the frosty air, especially when you’re running out of space indoors. The materials can help trap heat inside while keeping away cold drafts and snow from freezing the plants inside.
The scope of protection for your plants depends largely on the type of greenhouse you have or plan to have. Generally, cheaper materials are going to trap less heat and end up cooling more quickly. This may work for milder climates, but those that get harsh winters may need to invest in more quality materials.
Will My Plants Be Safe Indoors Even When I Have Pets?
Your pets and plants should be fine as long as your pets don’t get curious and nibble on your plants. Aside from inflicting physical damage, some plants can contain chemicals that may be toxic to some animals and humans. To keep your pets safe from any possible toxin exposure, you might want to grow plants that have been proven to be pet-safe and pet-friendly.
Is it Too Late to Use Plants as Holiday Decorations?
It’s never too late to bring in plants for a festive spirit, even if the holidays have passed. It’s true that some plants are often associated with certain holidays, such as the poinsettia. However, these plants can thrive indoors throughout the year.
Sometimes, garden centers can price some plants lower after the holidays. If you want to grow some cheery indoor plants that will save you a lot of time and money for the next holiday season, this just might be the best time to start.
Can I Grow Fruit-Bearing Plants Indoors During The Winter?
Yes, you can as long as you provide adequate care. Fruit plants generally need lots of bright light, and that can be difficult to provide in the winter. Look to grow lights to help supplement and keep your plant happy.
Some fruit-bearing plants are easier to grow than others, so you need to do some research. Don’t worry, we’ve done the legwork for you and have five of the easiest fruit-bearing plants to grow indoors.
I Want to Start Growing Plants in The Middle of Winter – Is This Possible?
You can grow plants even on the coldest day in winter as long as you place them indoors. That way, your plants are protected from low temperatures while enjoying more light and warmth inside. Indoor plants can even thrive anywhere as long as they are in the right growing conditions.
Many gardeners will also start outdoor plants during the winter. Starting seeds is a popular winter activity. Once spring hits, the seeds should have germinated and be ready to move to their permanent home.
Can I Leave My Indoor Plants Alone While I go on a Vacation?
Given that most plants tend to go dormant during the winter season, you can leave your plants alone as long as they receive the right amount of light and warmth. This means you will have to turn on your grow lights and heater to keep them well-lighted and warm. You also shouldn’t leave them alone too long, a week or so is probably the max I would feel comfortable with.
Winter Garden FAQ
Winter can be full of growth, beauty, and endless possibilities when you bring in or cultivate plants indoors. If you have any other winter gardening questions, please let us know, we love hearing from our readers. We just might feature your questions in the next articles!
