The garage
>> Tuesday, December 4, 2012 –
overwintering
A few days ago when I was talking about bringing the plants into the garage for overwintering -- a couple of cold, cold nights forced me to do this before I really wanted to -- there were a few comments asking to see the garage.
Well, against my better judgement here it is. A little more planning and time and I would have had things cleaned up and better organized before the plants came in.
As it is though, it's a mess. Plants jammed in wherever they could fit. The big work table takes up a lot of space, but I need it. I kept it as free of plants as I could for the same reason: there will be work done here!
Baskets hanging from the garage door tracks. Big lemon Eucalyptus blocking the way -- and smelling so good when you brush past it.
I haven't broken too many branches off the Euphorbia tirucalli yet. No idea how I haven't -- it must be more flexible than I thought.
One big problem is this pile of "junk":
Empty nursery pots, tubs, buckets of gravel (from the walkway project) and the bags I used to haul various free loads of manure and coffee grounds from Schlafly garden meets. They're taking up a lot of space. Didn't stop me from balancing a Ficus on top of the pile though -- that's valuable space!
Way in the back here too:
I want to move some of the plants here, but there's too much "stuff" in the way. Buckets, tubs, some old drawers I was going to use in a new storage cabinet build, various other bits and pieces that may be used in projects this winter.
I just need to get organized! (I need my work area back too.)
The empty spot here next to the ladder...
That's where the most cold-sensitive potted bamboos go. I moved them back outdoors after the two cold nights passed and will move them back in again when the nighttime lows are back in the low 20's F.
I will eventually get this all organized -- and that's when I should have posted the photos.
I don't mind showing you the "ugly" once in a while though.
(I'm certainly not showing you the plant table inside yet -- only one scary post a week!)
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Phew! seems like a lot of work, this moving of plants about for over-wintering. I'm glad we don't have to do this in the tropics. You are one great, dedicated gardener and must have really love your plants.
You have way more room in your garage than we do. We have 12+ gorilla racks stuffed with--stuff. Barely room for the car.
Thank you for this little peak into your garage, I am still very jealous, mess and all.
Lol, thanks for the 'only one scarey post a week'!!
I'm really glad to see these photos - makes my garage look rather organised and tidy - not. So much stuff, poor car has to sleep outside :)
I really think you need to rename this space. It's more "plant hibernation zone" than garage! Thanks for the sneak peak - even with zero plants in our garage, mine can still rival yours for jam packed!
Your E. tirucelli must be sturdier than mine. I keep finding little parts of it lying about. The other day I discovered that Sami the cat sits on a perch above it. The twitching of her tail is the culprit.
Hey! You can't scare us with pictures like these! We're more apt to turn green with envy for the extra space.
Oh wow - that looks more like a nursery than a garage - my hubby would not be happy with me if I started wheeling in my plants for the winter. :-)
Just found your blog via pinterest! The hypertufa balls are to die for... a must do when the temps allow. I have a question.... is your garage heated and do the plants need natural light? I live in Montanta Zone 4 and have never tried wintering over any plants as of yet, could I do this with a boxwood in a concrete urn ( if it's not too late already!)? Glad I found you and look forward to more posts!!
Cindy
Cindy: the garage is not directly heated but adjacent to living space so stays in the 40's F each winter. I do have some fluorescent lights, but the plants don't need too much as they're semi-dormant (or dormant) at those temps.
If the boxwood would normally die in your winters, I don't see any reason not to bring it into the garage.