I thought a garden chat and photo thread would be a good idea.
This way, we have a space to share current pictures and discuss dandelions and other plants.
This way, we have a space to share current pictures and discuss dandelions and other plants.
Tamstar schrieb:
Due to limited space, I would like to overwinter some plants in polytunnels this year. Why? There are annual plants that die from frost or because they are not suited to survive a second year here, and there are frost-hardy perennials that will survive without any cover and provide something next year (very simplified).
For the first group, if you want to save money, you can simply sow new seeds. Polytunnels are unnecessary for mature plants and are generally used to protect seedlings (vegetables or your own seedlings) outdoors from night frost.
In the first picture, the shrub in the background should be Euonymus, which is winter-hardy. I cannot identify the other plant in front… Is it a small rhododendron? Or a spent viburnum? It looks like they were planted together originally in a container tray. I would recommend planting them with about 50cm (20 inches) spacing to give each enough room to grow.
Regarding the other pictures, I agree with @haydee and also advise planting perennials that are proven and adapted to your region, filling gaps with annuals that focus on blooming rather than overwintering.
Tamstar schrieb:
Some lilacs and a few berry plants in pots Those belong in the garden bed and are winter-hardy. Growing them in pots can work, but it’s not guaranteed.
Actually, you don’t need a green thumb if you read up and do some research.
For number one, I would have guessed a small rhododendron. It should be hardy in winter.
You have annual plants—plants that need to be brought indoors at around 8°C (46°F). Some can stay outside down to about 0°C (32°F).
Partially hardy plants are generally suitable for USDA zones 7/8 or equivalent; they require winter protection.
Fully hardy plants are those suitable for zones 6/7 and below.
In my experience, maybe 1 out of 5 plants survives the winter—either it’s too warm, too cold, too dark, or too light.
In containers, even the most winter-hardy plant will die once the soil is completely frozen.
In the ground, lilacs and berry bushes are winter-hardy.
Plant the lilac and berries in your garden; that should still work.
You have annual plants—plants that need to be brought indoors at around 8°C (46°F). Some can stay outside down to about 0°C (32°F).
Partially hardy plants are generally suitable for USDA zones 7/8 or equivalent; they require winter protection.
Fully hardy plants are those suitable for zones 6/7 and below.
In my experience, maybe 1 out of 5 plants survives the winter—either it’s too warm, too cold, too dark, or too light.
In containers, even the most winter-hardy plant will die once the soil is completely frozen.
In the ground, lilacs and berry bushes are winter-hardy.
Plant the lilac and berries in your garden; that should still work.
Everyone, thanks for the well-meaning advice, but please read the question again.
The question was: Can I generally overwinter plants in a polytunnel, or will the temperature fluctuations from sunny/warm to dull/dark/freezing bother them?
I still have everything in pots because the garden is completely being dug up. And most of what’s in the pots is not winter-hardy yet, even if it will be later when planted outdoors.
I am NOT referring to the plants in the pictures.
Still: The first one is a shrub veronica, which is just a single plant from a pot.
The question was: Can I generally overwinter plants in a polytunnel, or will the temperature fluctuations from sunny/warm to dull/dark/freezing bother them?
I still have everything in pots because the garden is completely being dug up. And most of what’s in the pots is not winter-hardy yet, even if it will be later when planted outdoors.
I am NOT referring to the plants in the pictures.
Still: The first one is a shrub veronica, which is just a single plant from a pot.
Because this is supposed to be a thread with pictures...
Just to be clear: Can I overwinter ONE lilac in ONE pot inside ONE polytunnel?
These things are often recommended for overwintering, but in my experience, the temperature in such a greenhouse is too variable. I imagine a plant’s "dormancy" phase requiring a STABLE, cool, but frost-free temperature.
Just to be clear: Can I overwinter ONE lilac in ONE pot inside ONE polytunnel?
These things are often recommended for overwintering, but in my experience, the temperature in such a greenhouse is too variable. I imagine a plant’s "dormancy" phase requiring a STABLE, cool, but frost-free temperature.
A lilac does not need a plastic tunnel. On the contrary, I’m afraid that it is one of the plants that would really suffer under such conditions.
Place the pots on polystyrene foam or wood against a sheltered exterior wall of the house. If it gets really cold and you worry the pot might freeze through, cover the pot (there are, for example, thick round coconut mats) and wrap the pot up.
You can also use the branches of a Christmas tree for covering.
Place the pots on polystyrene foam or wood against a sheltered exterior wall of the house. If it gets really cold and you worry the pot might freeze through, cover the pot (there are, for example, thick round coconut mats) and wrap the pot up.
You can also use the branches of a Christmas tree for covering.
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