What to leave out, what to bring in?

I’m going to try to over winter some pelargoniums. I might not succeed, but it’s worth a try. At the moment, they are in the garage, but I plan to repot them into fresh pots so that I can check the roots for unwanted beasties, then put them onto a spare bedroom windowsill over winter. Last year, I left some to over winter in the garage, but it was too cold for them (and I also suspect, not light enough), and they didn’t survive.

An annual plant is a plant that completes its life cycle, from germination to the production of seeds, within one growing season, and then dies.

Pelargoniums aren't annuals, though.
Mine overwintered last year outside in a sheltered spot and are still flowering now.

I'm not sure what Daniel525 means.

DH planted a Pelargonium in a pot in 2015 and it died the winter of 2023. I kept in the greenhouse in the sunniest spot.

Think he means that some of our plants are really perennials but we treat them as annuals because of our climate.
Tomatoes apparently are perennials.
But one has to have enough warm space to keep them. And enough light.

I’m no gardener and leave everything outside - to take their chances.

A friend brings her potted coleus into the conservatory over winter.

An annual can be left outside to self seed. Plenty of mine do just that. Or you can bring tender plants indoors where they will continue to flower on the windowledge.
These are often non native plants commonly used for bedding and hanging baskets more used to a Mediterranean climate.

One year, in our community garden I left a carrot and a parsnip to flower and go to seed in the polytunnel.
They grew enormous and produced enough seed for a field of carrots and parsnips. Visiting school children and their teachers were amazed. as was I

Like others I will bring the pelargoniums into the conservatory for the winter.

I have plants that go outside for the Summer but will come in now - succulents, a purple leaved oxalis and begonias, the cane type rather than bedding ones. Window sills get too cold for them in the Winter nights so there’s a lot of moving around each day.

It’s at this time of year that I think I need a bigger house!

Your carrot and parsnip flowers would go well with my fennel grammaretto tall stems, lots of pollinator-friendly flowers and then seedlings everywhere!

I used to think nemesias (Wisley Vanilla) were annuals and composted them at the end of the season. In fact they're tender perennials and now keep going for me outside in the South East. I leave their pots against the house wall where they don't get waterlogged.

Oh my goodness, I was SOOOOO tempted to reply 'Dandy' and 'Beano'

rocketstop

Oh my goodness, I was SOOOOO tempted to reply 'Dandy' and 'Beano'

😁

School Friend and Bunty!

Annuals only live one year, they may produce seeds in your pot/garden and if taken in to over winter you may get a new plant.

Unfortunately some very stupid shops call some plants annuals when they are in fact half hardy perennials, there is no need to throw these plants away they just need to be kept out of the cold for protection.
I put my fuchsia and geraniums into the garage in Oct/Nov when the weather starts changing. Clean them up and water if necessary over the winter, I don't tend to water.
I have been doing this for years and have some very large plants now.
Spring time they are potted up in fresh compost and I use a slow release fertilizer.
My neighbour throws out her beautiful fuchsia plants every year because the shops says they are annual I have said to her just pot one in the garage and see what happens but she can't be bothered it is such a waste.

Thanks,
I am going to try the recording method by putting seeds in an envelope and keeping them in the fridge until early spring when I will pot the seeds

Any comments on the suggestions Daniel525 or is this just another ‘one hit wonder?*

Nell8

I used to think nemesias (Wisley Vanilla) were annuals and composted them at the end of the season. In fact they're tender perennials and now keep going for me outside in the South East. I leave their pots against the house wall where they don't get waterlogged.

I’ve got two of these plants in pots, so will do the same, Nell. I’m in the SE too. I’ve brought my chilli and basil plants indoors.

Snapdragons will survive in a sheltered place, and will flower early. They get leggy after that.

Tubers and corms come indoors for the winter but as others have said, fuschias & pelargoniums go into the greenhouse. My potted alstroemerias, likewise, and the hibiscus Chiffons may well keep them company this winter. What will definitely go into the garage this winter, however, is my small collection of ceramic pots, after the frost damage they suffered last year.

Everything will have to take their chances this year.

I've never brought in tubers or corms, they seem to survive and in fact spread. Cyclamen grow everywhere here, they especially like gravel.

In our garden everything has to take its chances through the winter months. We just have nowhere to "overwinter" any plants. This certainly makes life easier as regards managing a garden now we are older. In the spring we'll plants some seeds & also acquire plants. Often we buy these plants relatively cheaply from local "charity" sales. Sometimes we share & exchange plants with friends. We dont spend a lot!

I manage to keep my 'annual' Fuschias going every year. they grow back from the base, but flowering starts a bit later. They will flower their socks off until the first frost, if I keep deadheading.