denisew
Member
Reged: 02/18/02
Loc: Allen, TX
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This has been an unusually warm winter, so the geraniums are on their way to local nurseries. I was at Puckett's Nursery the other day and they told me they should be receiving about 700 geraniums this for this weekend. I really like using these in containers because they add a punch of color, especially in containers by the front door or out on a patio. I have one container with ivy trailing over the edge that I use to change out with seasonal color and I think it is ready for another geranium. 
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Allen Garden Club
www.allengardenclub.org
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sjarski
New Member
Reged: 10/19/05
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Although it is not related specifically to geraniums, may I ask you a gardening question, please? I'm itching for my begonias, but I know it is still too early (as with our Texas weather, we'll likely encounter another freeze before the winter is over and spring begins). When is considered a "safe" time for spring color? I don't remember when nurseries start to carry them (mid-March?). Thank you! I value your advice!
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Nickel
Member
Reged: 01/18/05
Loc: Allen, TX
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I love geraniums. My grandmother used to grow tons of them at her house in California. The smell of them always reminds me of her.
Any tips Denise, on how to keep them doing well. Are they better in pots or in beds?
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SB
Member
Reged: 09/07/03
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Last year I found a very good price for begonias in mid February. I bought a bunch and played a hunch that there wouldn't be another freeze. If I'd lost the gamble, I'd have been out a only a few dollars plus a couple hours of labor. I won and had begonias from mid-February until after Thanksgiving.
I expect you'll start seeing them in the garden stores very soon but the average date of the last freeze isn't until mid-March. A hard freeze WILL do them in.
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denisew
Member
Reged: 02/18/02
Loc: Allen, TX
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Many times you will see warm season annuals in the big orange and big blue stores much earlier than they should be planted. Wait until the soil is warmer. It is usually best to plant begonias towards the mid to end of April and anytime in May. If you plant them earlier you will risk losing them to a late frost. How many times do I remember it freezing right around Easter? Many. They will grow better in the warmer soil too.
I think geraniums are best in containers. They are not happy when it gets hot although if you keep them in an area that is protected from the afternoon sun, they will start blooming for you again in the fall. Keep all container plants moist (not soggy) when it gets really hot and fertilize them every couple weeks with an organic fertilizer such as seaweed/fish emulsion mixed at half the recommended rate. You might have to water container plants once or twice a day, especially if you use terra cotta containers. I like the plastic containers that look like stone or terra cotta because they have a much lower evaporation rate. Taking proper care of containers plants will keep them happy and looking good all summer. You can plant summer blooming annuals in with your geraniums to keep the color going all season long.
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Allen Garden Club
www.allengardenclub.org
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