Bring Your Garden Indoors For Fall – Ag Matters

It finally happened, fall is here.  But The Master Gardeners at Cornell Cooperative Extension say it doesn't have to mean an end to growing things.  Here's some tips on bringing your garden indoors.

Now is a great time to take cuttings from your favorite annuals and herbs. Impatiens, coleus, geraniums, and wax begonias are easily propagated by cuttings. Herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano are also easy and can provide a midwinter harvest of fresh herbs. Create a fresh potted display for outdoors or grow your favorites indoors.

First, start by watering your favorite plant the night before you plan to take the cuttings and have a pot of damp, soilless potting mix ready. Cut off a stem tip 4 to 6 inches long. Remove the leaves from the lower one-half to two-thirds of the stem. Cuttings from many annuals such as coleus or impatiens will root easily. Place the cuttings in a glass of water. In 2 to 3 weeks, you should see results of root system developing. Once you see roots, plant your cuttings in a pot with moist soilless potting mix. Next, place your plants in a sunny window to enjoy as a houseplant. Overwinter them for next year's garden, or use them outdoors in fall containers before the frost comes.

Plants such as herbs or geraniums will benefit from dipping the cutting into a rooting hormone powder. This powder can be found in any good garden center. Dip the cutting into the hormone powder and place the cuttings directly into a pot of moist soilless potting mix. Place the pot in a sunny window or under fluorescent lights. Roots will form in about 2 to 6 weeks depending on the plant. You'll know the roots are formed if you see new growth on the cuttings.

For more information call the Horticulture Hot Line Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm at 315-736-3394.

SOURCE: Cornell Cooperative Extension