ASK JOHN NEGUS
Overwinter begonias, mushy spuds, and plant mystery solved
QOur fuchsias have given us a terrific display during the past year. How can we overwinter these plants so they will grow again next year and produce an even better display? Lorna Allard, Wiltshire
AMany fuchsias are hardier than we give them credit for, but this depends on what the weather does and what the prevailing conditions in your garden are. If your garden is quite sheltered and not subject to prolonged periods of cold and frosty weather, they should do well next spring.
If we have a cold winter, or your garden is vulnerable to frost, it is likely that the top growth will die. But so long as the roots are OK then the plants will regrow, although they may only reach the size that they achieved this year.
Compost in pots is more vulnerable to cold than the soil of the garden, and cold roots are one of the biggest challenges when overwintering fuchsias. Wrapping the pots in fleece, sacking, bubblewrap or even thick newspaper should keep them warmer and hopefully stave off everything but the heaviest of frosts.
However, don’t cover the compost at the top of the pot, or the base, as the compost needs to breathe and drain.
The greatest enemy of fuchsias is cold and wet. If pots are currently standing on the ground, raise them on bricks so water can run away freely and air can circulate underneath.
A tent of horticultural fleece over the foliage at night when frost is forecast will keep a degree or two of frost off. Remove the fleece during the day .