Autumn Task – Overwintering Begonias
This week the volunteers emptied out the Begonias Bolivienses which gave us such a lovely show all summer. We were hoping to nurse them on until November but horrible old Storm Babet gave them such a battering last Friday that we felt they really needed to be removed. Tuberous Begonia are a relatively easy summer plant to over winter and can then be used to give colour to pots or beds the following year. The ones we used were a semi trailing variety so perfect for planters – fingers crossed they will survive our tender care!
First we cleaned out the planters at the top of Berwick Road, outside the Council Offices and in the Car Park at the Market square.
Second we took off the flower stocks and knocked off as much of the wet soil as possible. We then dried them in the poly tunnel for a few days before cleaning them of soil and any old stocks as much as possible.
Thirdly some of the volunteers will take a box of tubers, lay them out in a box and cover with paper before storing in a dry frost free space until Spring – under the bed, in the attic, in the utility room (we have wonderful volunteers!)
Once the weather warms up we can remove the paper and encourage growth to appear before planting the tubers up again and hoping for the best.
Keep an eye open for a return of the Begonia in some of the planters next year. Or we may decide to go for another colour scheme and design and sell them on at the annual Plant Sale, 12th May 2024.
