Here in far Northern Idaho we're expecting our first frost anytime!
On the living room bench under a bank of south-facing windows I've gathered my geraniums from front porch and balcony to sit out the Winter safely from the frosts, freezes, snowstorms, and ice.
Temporarily, I brought in my hosta to enjoy for a few days. However, hosta require a period of Winter dormancy so after I trim and feed it I'll return it to the balcony to freeze and go dormant.
First, I'll wrap the hosta's pot - sides and bottom - with bubble wrap, then add several layers of burlap and set the bundle into a cardboard box all for the purpose of insulating the roots from freezing. I want only the surface of the soil to freeze. If the roots freeze the plant may die.
Winter hardy plants in pots may be wintered over outside if the bottom and sides of the pots are insulated or the pot is buried to the rim in the ground.
If I continue to feed the geraniums they'll bloom all Winter long on the bench. Usually around November and December I stop feeding them. I'll keep them watered, of course, but by not feeding them they'll cease to bloom for a couple of months. I do this to give them a rest and allow them to draw strength and rest from the bloom cycle.
In January or February when I begin to long for brightness and color amidst Winter's drear, I'll feed the geraniums and within two to three weeks they'll be covered with blooms so that I may be sustained with their joyous blooms until Spring comes again.
Geraniums winter over wonderfully. So does the herb, rosemary, although I haven't had much luck wintering over other potted herbs. I'm going to try spearmint (potted in the green watering can with the gold handle sitting on the bench) this year.
A wall of south-facing windows will give my geraniums much-needed light on sunny Winter days.
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