Overwintering Seeds and Tender Perennials

The months of October and November are a busy time of the year for gardeners. When putting the garden to bed for the winter, don’t forget about your seeds and tender perennials.

Leftover seeds and tender perennials can be successfully stored until the following spring. Seed packages should be sealed, if opened, and placed in a jar or plastic container filled with a desiccant material, such as a small package of silica, to keep the seeds dry. The container should then be sealed with a tight-fitting lid and placed in the refrigerator until spring. (You can make your own package of desiccant by folding up 2 tablespoons of powdered milk in the center of a facial tissue and tying off the top with a piece of twine.)

Overwintering Gladiolus

To overwinter gladiolus corms, dig up the corms in the fall and let them dry for a day or two. Twist off the stems; place the corms in a dry, warm place to cure. After they have cured, they’ll form a corky layer at the scar end. Store corms in mesh bags, such as onion bags. Hang the bags of corms in a cool, dry location. The stored corms should not be exposed to moisture or heat, as both can cause the corms to rot during storage.

Storing Tuberous Begonias

To overwinter tuberous begonias, dig up the tubers, leaving the roots and soil intact. Cut back the growing stems to the soil line and let them cure in a warm area for two to three weeks. After the tubers are thoroughly dry, remove any excess soil that may still be clinging to the tubers. Pack the tubers in a box of vermiculite, peat or sawdust. Store the tubers in a dry, cool location.

Keeping Pot-Grown Caladiums Over the Winter

For pot-grown caladiums, let them go into a dormant state by gradually cutting back on the amount of water they receive. After the leaves have started to dry, put the plants in a dark basement and keep the plants cool. If you’ve grown caladiums in your garden, you’ll need to dig up the plants, remove the leaves, dry them for two to three days and store the plants in peat moss in a cool, dry location.

Saving Dahlias for the Next Growing Season

Cut dahlia tops back to 4 to 5 inches and dig up the roots with a garden fork. Remove as much soil as you can from the dahlias, but don’t wash the roots. Let the roots dry in a shady place for about one week; store them in peat moss, vermiculite, or dry sawdust in a cool, dry location.