Dormancy Questions

[Adam]

I was wondering what months i should take the plants i have in the garage out. I already did it this year, but im wondering for next year. Also, if there is a flower, should i just bring it out? no matter what month, at last march or later. Also, for my bog garden, could i uncover it in early april?

 

[I am Bob]

I would say whatever month it starts to stay constantly above freezing, but I am not sure...

 

[Adam]

k also happy birthday!

 

[jimscott]

I took my minibog buckets out in April, thinking that there wouldn't be any more frosts. I was wrong. I had to move everything to the garage for a couple days. I lost one developing flower out of about 10.

 

[scottychaos]

I have handeled early Spring in two ways:

1. take the plants out of Dormancy on February 15..leave them inside until night-time lows are above freezing on a regular basis..usually Mid-April, then put them outdoors for the season.

Problem with that method..plants are indoors for 2 months without enough light..(sitting in front of a window isnt nearly enough light) growth is weak and spindly, then burns when put in the sun outdoors.

2. A method I tried this spring..put the plants outside when days are above freezing..in March..bring them in if its going to frost or freeze overnight..

positive - plants get good light through March..
negative - its a major hassle to carry them in and out for a month to 6 weeks..especially with my three heavy minibogs..

So for next spring, im going to try a third method:

3. build a wagon!
some kind of wooden platform, perhaps with a traditional "red wagon" as the base..
all my plants can fit on the platform..then I can wheel them out on the driveway when I leave for work in the morning, then wheel them back into the garage at night..no heavy lifting required.

around here (Western NY) the entire month of March and into Mid-April is generally abive freezing during the day, btu below freezing at night..

I dont leave my plants outside day&night until nights are consistently above freezing..as I said, generally mid-April most years.

Scot

 

[jimscott]

I like the wagon idea! BTW, Scot and I live about an hour apart. Different lakes but same weather and climate.

 

[tommyr]

Next year I will wait a few weeks longer to move them out. Normally I do it mid February, I'll wait until March next year.