Geraniums are a staple among many gardeners for their ease of care and wide array of colors. A versatile plant, geraniums can grow in hanging baskets, containers and soil in a range of climates. If you're thinking of adding geraniums to your garden, here are some essential care tips to help:
Geraniums can grow in almost all hardiness zones. However, it's important to know the sun and other climate requirements for them to flourish. If you live somewhere with hot summer temperatures, plant your geraniums where they'll get some shade during the day. Otherwise, six hours of full sun per day is crucial to helping geraniums flower.
Geraniums are not cold hardy, so make sure to wait until winter temperatures warm up enough. The best time to plant geraniums is after the risk of frost has passed, but before the soil temperature rises too far above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler night temperatures help encourage budding, while the warmth and ample sun assist in photosynthesis. Finding the right balance is key to happy geraniums.
Geraniums like frequent and thorough watering. If planted in the ground, water close to the soil level with the hose and avoid getting the leaves and flowers wet. In pots, you may have to water more regularly, especially if your geraniums are in terracotta or clay. Let the soil dry out to the touch in between waterings to allow it to drain completely.
The best soil for geraniums is loosely-packed and full of organic material. If you notice your regular soil mix gets compacted easily, try mixing in an amendment like peat or perlite to aid drainage. When planting geraniums in pots, be sure to use a container with plenty of drainage to avoid root rot.
Geraniums are popular for many reasons, one being their amazing versatility. If you're thinking of trying geraniums in your garden, remember these tips to help them thrive.
I'm John Mahan, Sales Associate with William Raveis Real Estate, Harwich Port Office.
Throughout his childhood, John Mahan spent summers on Cape Cod at his parents’ home in Dennis Port. His intro to the Cape was, as he puts it, when his parents “carried me down the stairs at Sea Street Beach when I was a week old.” With a lifelong connection to Cape Cod, it seemed only natural for John and his wife, Mary, to move to Harwich – where they still reside – with their two young children in 1996.
Prior to moving to Cape Cod, John lived in the Worcester-Auburn area where he worked for Mass Electric for 10 years and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Utility Workers. When John and his family moved to the Cape, he worked at NSTAR for six years.
John began his career in real estate in 2002 when he joined Team Waystack Realty in Harwich Port. He has been a consistent top producing realtor in the Harwich area for the past 20 years. John’s approachable demeanor, combined with an integral understanding of the Cape Cod residential real estate market, have allowed him to build trusting, long-term relationships with his clients – both sellers and buyers.
