Winter is over and in spring the first rays of sunshine lure people outside. Some garden owners would like to decorate their kingdom with colorful flowers again. However, potted plants should not be placed outside early.
Especially frost-sensitive potted plants should not be put outside too early
Put them outside in spring
Plants that have hibernated frost-free but cool are usually allowed to go outside in the garden or on the terrace relatively early. Be sure to wait for the ice saints. If the days before are already very warm, you can bring the plants out into the fresh air for a few hours during the day.
In the case of very sensitive plants, the temperatures must not drop below 10 °C or even 15 °C, not even at night. Some exotic plants, such as lemon trees, fall into this category. You shouldn't go outside until it's really warm enough. Some hardly survive a cool north German summer outdoors. If possible, give these plants a place in the conservatory.
Preparing for the gardening season
Gradually get your potted plants used to the fresh air and, above all, to the sunlight. Burns on the leaves are not uncommon if the change is too extreme. If the pot of one or the other plant has become too small, then you should repot it.
Put young plants outside
Young plants are usually more sensitive than older ones, so they can often only be brought into the garden or onto the balcony later in spring. When choosing the right time, don't just think about the ice saints with frosty nights. Cool winds can damage the young shoots even at temperatures well above freezing, as can persistent wetness.
The essentials in brief:
- at least wait for the ice saints
- Put young plants and sensitive plants outside much later
- Slowly acclimate plants
- Repot and/or cut back if necessary
- possibly give long-term fertilizer
tips
Sensitive (young) plants should only be placed outside well after the ice saints. The nights must also be relatively warm for this.