The first proper frost usually arrives without much warning, and a single hard night will turn a summer's worth of pelargoniums to mush. Late October is the moment to decide what comes in and what takes its chances outside.
Know what is tender
Pelargoniums, fuchsias, citrus, salvias and anything you bought as a houseplant for summer holiday outdoors all need protection. Hardy shrubs in pots are fine, though their roots are more exposed than in the ground, so move them against a wall.
Check before they come in
Bringing pests into a warm room is how a quiet aphid problem becomes an infestation by Christmas. Before anything crosses the threshold, give it a proper look.
- Tip plants out and check the rootball for vine weevil grubs.
- Wipe leaves, top and bottom, and squash any aphids.
- Pick off dead leaves that would only rot indoors.
Where to keep them
Most tender plants want a cool, light, frost free spot rather than a warm living room. A porch, a spare bedroom windowsill or an unheated conservatory is ideal. Pelargoniums can be cut back hard and kept almost dry on a windowsill until spring.
Water sparingly
The commonest way to lose plants over winter is kindness with the watering can. Growth has stopped, so the compost stays wet and roots rot. Let it dry out between drinks, and feed nothing until the light returns in late February.