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Keep it Contained
Published November 1, 2009
This winter would be a good time to let the garden go to pot. As in, plant it in pots.
Container gardening works for plants both edible and decorative — from herbs and vegetables to mums and miniature banana trees. It’s handy, too, for moving them inside on the rare nights down here when there’s a frost or freeze warning.
Bringing plants inside is a precaution, said County Extension Agent Paula Craig.
“It usually never even gets cold enough,” Craig said.
Freezes in this area are possible usually between December and March, she explained.
“You can leave plants in the yard until they say it’s going to freeze,” said Brazoria County Master Gardener Carole Wenny. “Most of these things would rather be out in the sun.”
“If you’ve got something that’s a prized possession and you paid beaucoups bucks for it, you want to protect it,” said Barbara “BB” Brown, a Brazoria County Master Gardener. “Maybe not bring it inside, but put it in a protected area, away from the wind.” A walled patio or protected deck would work, she said.
A lot of fall blooming plants do well in containers and can be kept inside; pansies, begonias, chrysanthemums and marigolds, for example, among others.
“There’s not much you can’t put in a pot,” Brown said. “Milky Way takes the shade well; it can be quite dark in a room and this will grow. White waterfall is a beautiful, shrubby plant. They don’t take lots and lots of sun. Carole (Wenny) has one in a pot and she said it’s as tall as she is.”
Whether a plant needs different things when it’s inside rather than outside depends on the heat, humidity and sunlight in a person’s house, Brown and Wenny say. According to information from the National Gardening Association, the most important feature to look for when choosing containers for indoor plants is good drainage. Too much water can lead to root rot in plants. Look for containers with large drainage holes, and drain saucers under containers after watering. Or consider buying or making self-watering containers.
Herbs and some veggies also do well as potted, inside plants.
“If you get the perennials like rosemary, thyme, some of the sages, oregano, those would be great,” Brown said. “This is the time to plant cilantro and parsley, dill and fennel. But you have to remember that most of this needs sunlight.”
Even more exotic and unexpected plants can do well indoors, provided they have enough space and light.
“Birds of paradise can also be potted and brought inside,” Brown said. “My daughter has one in a pot in her entryway in Florida. It gets a little light through the glass on each side of her front door, and it’s beautiful.”
Mary Openshaw is a features writer for The Facts. Contact her at 979-237-0155.
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