Every year thousands of dollars are spent on geranium plants. We use them in garden beds, window boxes, patio pots, and to brighten up cemetery plots as a tribute to loved ones. With a little preparation and minimal care and maintenance, geraniums can be over wintered and planted again in the spring.

The Latin name for the common garden geranium is Pelargonium hortorum. Geraniums require at least 8 hours of daily sunshine and cool 50° to 60°F night temperatures to remain in bloom. Soil must be good draining and porous to prevent root rot. Geraniums require very little fertilization. Over fertilizing will prevent blooming. Maintaining geraniums as house plants is a good way to over winter and add winter color to the home if you are willing to provide the proper growing conditions. Sunlight can be supplemented with fluorescent tube lighting kept 10 to 12 inches from the plants. They can be moved out in the garden again in spring when soil temperatures reach 60°F.

Remove dead flower heads and dry leaves to prevent Botrytis fungus which attacks leaves and young buds. Protective fungicide sprays are available from local garden centers specially formulated for use on geraniums. Geraniums are naturally bug repellant. Keep plants on the dry side but don't allow them to wilt. Wilting will cause the plants to shed leaves.

The other method of over wintering geraniums requires a cool dark moist spot in the basement, shed, or garage. Temperatures cannot fall below 40°F nor should it exceed 60°F. Carefully dig up geraniums from the garden or remove from pots. Remove as much soil as possible without damaging the roots. Remove spent flowers, buds, and any dry or yellow leaves. Trim off terminal points from each branch. Gently submerge entire plant in a bucket of clean tepid water and swish to remove any remaining soil. Loosely tie to a pipe or on a rafter nail out of sunlight. Allow free flowing air circulation between plants.

Plants will go dormant. Hanging prevents critters from munching on the geranium plants. Many gardeners have success with just moving plants in their pots into the garage or basement and allowing them to dry. Either way, once a month it is necessary to replenish moisture. Hanging plants need to be completely submersed and soaked for a couple of minutes in clean water preferably the same temperature as their location. Pots also need a thorough watering. Drainage water needs to be removed. Rehang bare rooted geraniums.

During late March or April, it is time to pot up the geranium plants to promote growing for spring planting. Potted geraniums can use a transplant into fresh soil. If you wait to plant directly in the garden, be prepared for a month or two before the geraniums bloom again.

Pots can be clay or plastic but must have drainage holes. Use a good soil mix (1 part soil, 1 part sand, 1 part peat). Place a layer of clean stone, black & white newspaper, or a coffee filter over drainage holes to prevent soil from washing out. Try not to plant bare rooted geraniums deeper than they originally were in the garden. There is usually a color difference on the main stalk to use as a guide. Water well to prevent air pockets. Remove drainage water. Move plants to a warmer 65°F place in direct sunlight or use florescent tube lighting. Night temperatures should be around 50 - 60°F. Fertilizing will not be required during the first three months. Water only when plant soil is dry down two inches from surface. Keep growing tips trimmed to promote branching and fullness. You may loose some plants or branches but over all this is worthwhile. Propagating through stem cuttings can replenish any plants lost.

Frugal gardeners save money by over wintering their geraniums. Remember to add this to your fall and winter garden chores to reap the benefits in your spring flower garden.