Did you leave a tender potted plant outside all winter? Whoops! Don’t worry, it happens. Here are some tips from HGTV to help you determine which plants are ready for another growing season and how to replace the dearly departed with new plants.
Can This Plant Be Saved?
First, you need to assess the situation and determine if the plant is salvageable. Depending on your region and the hardiness of the plants used, a planter left outdoors all winter may or may not still contain living plants the next spring.
Unless you live in a very warm planting zone, annuals are most likely not going to survive freezing temps (hence, the name annual). But, in the case of many perennials, the easiest way to determine if they’ll make a return appearance is to wait a few weeks after all chance of freeze has passed, then closely inspect the plant for new growth.
Another good test is flexibility: Hold a stem in your hand and gently bend it back on itself. If it easily snaps, the plant is a goner; if it bends, the plant’s still dormant — give it a little longer to put on new leaves.
Disposing of the Dearly Departed
If that poor guy’s a goner, then you’ll need to pull it and compost. Typically, annuals and even perennials that didn’t make it are easy to remove by just lifting what’s left, roots and all, out of the potting soil. If the dead plant doesn’t easily lift out, use a trowel to break up the roots, then remove it. Since these plants died due to freezing temps — not bugs or disease — feel free to toss them in your compost pile.
Tend to the Living
If you have a potted plant that’s showing signs of reviving, then help it out by judiciously pruning off the dead wood or messy growth to allow for the new growth to flourish and take shape. Use bypass pruners or shears.
Make Room for the New Guys
Determine where you’ll place each of the new plants being sure to leave room for future growth. Using a trowel, remove potting soil from areas you plan to replant. Carefully pull each plant from their nursery pot and gently tease apart the roots to encourage new growth. Place each of the new plants in their location, gently pushing them in place. Make sure you leave plenty of room for the roots to spread.
Pro Tip: To help you better remember what you planted (annual or perennial) next year, use a permanent marker to note the planting date and tuck the plant tag in the planter for future reference.
Soil Moisture is Crucial
B1 “Root Stimulators” are a myth. But, adequate soil moisture is crucial for new root growth, so be sure to irrigate new transplants frequently and use mulch to reduce evaporation. For large planters, a layer of mulch works to both conserve moisture and prevent weeds. For smaller, decorative containers, use a florist’s trick and top the exposed soil with preserved moss from your local craft store. The moss adds an attractive layer of green that visually fills in the planter while the new plants become established and spread out — while still preventing evaporation to keep both new and old plants evenly hydrated.
Enjoy Your Green Thumb Work
Position your freshened-up planter or pot where the plants receive the proper amount of sun exposure. Planting is hard work on newly transferred plants, so be sure to water in the new plants and check their water level frequently as they become established.
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