The ins and outs of seasonal plant removal
By Trevor Ramieri
Student, Landscape Horticulture
It is that time of year again when our favourite garden plants are yearning for brighter summer days. With this quick guide, you will be prepared to quickly assess what is best for your plants for the season to come.
First and foremost is our tropicals. While they may have looked wonderful beside your pool, even our brisk autumn days risk dimming the vibrance of our more exotic plant friends. They must be brought inside and may even require additional needs such as new soil or even equipment – such as a humidifier or an artificial light system – to stay just as vibrant through the colder months.
Before taking your plant inside, take this opportunity to trim back any dead leaves or branches. Doing this will give your plant a more manicured look and encourage it to sprout new growth.
Next, we have our annuals. Annuals are plants that reach full maturity and life cycle within – you guessed it – one year. In our part of Ontario, it is most likely that your annuals have already had their bloom for the season. Unfortunately, it is time to say goodbye – don’t worry it’s not you, it’s them.
If you have not already removed your annuals, this is also a perfect time of year to clean out your planting beds so that they are prepared for your next spring planting.
Finally, but certainly not least, there are perennials. Perennials, unlike annuals, can thrive beyond even two years; the exact life cycle of your plant will be determined by its species and quality of care. Some perennials will only survive our colder season if properly wrapped in durable, natural cloth, such as burlap. Additionally, if you know that your plant is a bulb, you can trim the plant itself all the way down to the base of the stem. This will leave the plant in an optimal position for sprouting new blooms in the spring.
Always remember that, while you may follow all the rules, each plant has unique needs. If you are not certain, there are many fantastic resources online – or even on campus.
The ins and outs of seasonal plant removal
By Trevor Ramieri
Student, Landscape Horticulture
It is that time of year again when our favourite garden plants are yearning for brighter summer days. With this quick guide, you will be prepared to quickly assess what is best for your plants for the season to come.
First and foremost is our tropicals. While they may have looked wonderful beside your pool, even our brisk autumn days risk dimming the vibrance of our more exotic plant friends. They must be brought inside and may even require additional needs such as new soil or even equipment – such as a humidifier or an artificial light system – to stay just as vibrant through the colder months.
Before taking your plant inside, take this opportunity to trim back any dead leaves or branches. Doing this will give your plant a more manicured look and encourage it to sprout new growth.
Next, we have our annuals. Annuals are plants that reach full maturity and life cycle within – you guessed it – one year. In our part of Ontario, it is most likely that your annuals have already had their bloom for the season. Unfortunately, it is time to say goodbye – don’t worry it’s not you, it’s them.
If you have not already removed your annuals, this is also a perfect time of year to clean out your planting beds so that they are prepared for your next spring planting.
Finally, but certainly not least, there are perennials. Perennials, unlike annuals, can thrive beyond even two years; the exact life cycle of your plant will be determined by its species and quality of care. Some perennials will only survive our colder season if properly wrapped in durable, natural cloth, such as burlap. Additionally, if you know that your plant is a bulb, you can trim the plant itself all the way down to the base of the stem. This will leave the plant in an optimal position for sprouting new blooms in the spring.
Always remember that, while you may follow all the rules, each plant has unique needs. If you are not certain, there are many fantastic resources online – or even on campus.