Getting Geraniums Shaped Up for Spring

Even though I am a perennial gardener, I do like zonal geraniums for their large flowers and non-stop blooming.  I use them in pots that I can move around to fill in bare spots in the garden where perennials have yet to bloom or have finished for the year, as well as in flower boxes.  Because I have ledge space in south-facing windows, I pot them up, cut them down, and bring them in for the winter.  They bloom on and off, which is a very welcome sight when it's below zero (again!).

Even with lots of light, the winter growth is leggy and weak.  It's time to prune them before their spring growth spurt.

This guy is healthy, but the recent growth isn't thick.

This guy bloomed all winter.  Now I want him to put his effort into producing strong stems.

Here's how to prune geraniums that you've overwintered to get fuller, more compact plants by summer.

Using a scissors reserved for gardening, make a cut directly above a leaf stem at a point where the main stem is strong and thick.  Cut all the main stems down this way.  You'll feel like you butchered your plant, but it's all for the best.

Keep cutting.

He looks a little sad now, but he'll be sending out new growth in no time.

When you're finished,  water and put your geranium in a sunny spot.  With the longer days, it's time to start fertilizing, too.   And don't be too eager to set geraniums out in spring.  They aren't happy with anything less than 50 degrees.  I've tried to push them outside too early and regretted it.