Should I Bring Plants in Nightly?

[genesis636]

I just bought a few plants/flowers to grow in some containers. I am notorious for killing all my plants....so this year I am really really really going to try my hardest to keep them well all season. I got a hosta, a few celosia, and one (yes, just one) geranium.

I potted them all and now I have brought them in for the evening, probably gonna storm. Should I bring them in nightly or just on the nights/ day that I know the weather will be bad? Also, whats a good all around fertilizer that I can use for all of these and how often? I am trying to find just the right light for each one of them, so I don't have to worry about them when I'm at work. Jeez I'm like a new mom or something!

[Kisal]

Were they outdoors where you bought them? If so, I would leave them outside, but bring them in if the weather is going to be severe enough that they might be damaged, I.e. wind, very heavy rain, etc. Alternatively, if you have an outdoor area that is sheltered from the harshest of the wind and rain, you could try leaving them outside all the time. That's what I do. I have an open breezeway area that is protected from winds, so that's where I move my smaller plants when the weather is going to be a bit too breezy, or hard rain is predicted.

[cocallag]

A question close to what genesis636 asked. The temperatures here have been 65 - 75 degrees during the day and 45 - 55 at night so far. My Boston Fern is hanging high under my porch roof and I have to use a step ladder to take it down. Today the temperature will be 60 and tonight 38 and in the 30s for the next few nights. Should I bring my fern in when the temperature dips below a certain temperature? Thank you.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Boston ferns are tougher than we give them credit for, and under a porch roof is shielded from dew. Where are you at?

HG

[cocallag]

Boston ferns are tougher than we give them credit for, and under a porch roof is shielded from dew. Where are you at?

HG

I live in Winchester, VA. So, I'll leave it out. Thanks! It looks so pretty out there.

[The Helpful Gardener]

38 is ok. 35 is nervy. 33 needs to come in...

HG

[cocallag]

38 is ok. 35 is nervy. 33 needs to come in...

HG

Gotcha and will do. Much appreciation!

[cocallag]

Boston ferns are tougher than we give them credit for, and under a porch roof is shielded from dew. Where are you at?

HG

Oops, I forgot to ask. What do you mean about being shielded from dew. How would it matter if it was not shielded from dew

[The Helpful Gardener]

Anywhere that dew could settle would be exactly the same as where frost can settle. Open sky is a big chimney that lets all the heat out. and any overhead cover slows that process...

HG