Refresh… or replace? Keep your flower pots thriving through fall with these 2 approaches

The summer heat has probably done a number on your flower pots.

As we move into the late summer and early fall chapter of the year, our flower pots are suffering.

Horticulturist Carly Wood shared how a little refresh is all they need to carry vibrant color into the start of a new season.

Refresh, or Replace?

Many of us tend to lose hope as the summer heat takes a toll on our plants. However, Carly said not to give up. With the recent rain and cooling temperatures, there’s hope for our weary, dreary, and dry plants.

Carly suggested two approaches to reviving our gardens: refreshing the existing plants, or replacing them with new ones. Both methods have their merits and can be used depending on the condition of the plants.

Refreshing Your Plants

The first step in refreshing your plants is reaching for fertilizer. Plants like petunias are heavy feeders and require a lot of nutrients to thrive. Using liquid fertilizers can help rejuvenate these plants, leading to new growth and blooms within a week or two.

Another refreshing technique is giving your plants a haircut. Deadheading, or removing dead flowers, encourages plants to produce new blooms. For plants like geraniums and petunias, cutting back the stems can stimulate fresh growth.

Replacing Your Plants

In some cases, you might need to replace the plants entirely. This is especially true for plants that have been neglected and are beyond revival. When replacing plants, Carly recommended adding a bit of fresh potting soil that has some fertilizer mixed in. This can help the new plants establish themselves and thrive.

Embracing Fall Plants

As we transition from summer to fall, it might be a good idea to invest in fall plants. Mums, pansies, geraniums, grasses, and flowering kale are some of the plants that can add color to your garden in the cooler months. These plants can stay vibrant through the fall.

For more gardening advice, find Carly on Instagram, @thegardenspot, or visit her website at thegardenspotblog.com.