Geranium in Zone 8B — Texas

Geraniums are a classic choice for adding vibrant color to your Texas garden. Their long bloom season, coupled with their ability to handle our intense sunlight (with some afternoon shade), makes them a rewarding addition to any flower bed or container. Plus, they're relatively low-maintenance, so you can enjoy their beauty without constant fussing.

Don't let Texas's unpredictable weather scare you off! While we face challenges like extreme heat, sporadic rainfall, and the occasional unexpected freeze, with careful planning and attention, you can absolutely grow beautiful geraniums. Our long 273-day growing season gives you plenty of time to enjoy them.

Starting geraniums from seed indoors is possible, but honestly, it's a slow process. You'll want to begin in early to late December – that's about 12 weeks before you can safely transplant them outdoors. If you're up for the challenge, use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix. Keep them warm and provide plenty of light; a grow light works wonders.

Consider bottom watering your seedlings to prevent damping off. Place the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil absorb moisture from the bottom. Given our early springs here in Texas, you'll want to stay on top of the temperature and light, otherwise it may be easier for you to buy starts from a local nursery.

Transplant your geraniums outdoors from mid March through early April, after the last expected frost. Before planting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Start with an hour or two of shade and increase the time each day.

Plant them 10-12 inches apart in well-draining soil. Keep an eye on the forecast – late cold snaps can happen, even in Texas, so be prepared to cover them if necessary. If you're new to geraniums, buying established starts from a local nursery is the easiest way to guarantee success.

Watering is key to keeping your geraniums happy, especially with our Texas heat. The goal is to provide consistent moisture without drowning them. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil; if it feels dry, it's time to water.

During the hottest parts of the summer, you'll likely need to water deeply a couple of times a week, giving them about an inch of water each time. In the spring and fall, you can reduce watering frequency. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases, given our variable humidity.

Watch for signs of underwatering, such as wilting leaves. Overwatering can lead to stem rot, so avoid soggy soil. Yellowing leaves can indicate either problem, so check the soil moisture before reacting. Adding a layer of mulch around your plants helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is particularly helpful in our fluctuating Texas climate.

Pruning geraniums is simple and keeps them blooming their best. Focus on deadheading spent flower clusters throughout the growing season. Simply snip off the entire flower stem just above a leaf node.

If your geraniums get leggy, pinch back the stems to encourage bushier growth. You can do this anytime during the growing season. As the first frost approaches in late November, you can give your plants a final trim before bringing them indoors (if you're overwintering them) or letting them rest for the winter.

You're primarily "harvesting" geraniums for their beauty as garden flowers. Expect the first blooms from mid May through early July, depending on when you transplanted them. Regularly remove faded blooms to keep your plants looking tidy and encourage continuous flowering.

When harvesting flowers, snip the entire stem just above a leaf node. This encourages new growth and more blooms. To keep your geraniums producing throughout our long growing season, provide consistent water and fertilizer.

As the first frost approaches in late November, you can take cuttings to propagate new plants indoors, or simply enjoy the last blooms before the cold weather arrives. Geraniums don't ripen off the vine, so just enjoy the blooms on the plant.

Geraniums, like any plant, can run into problems. Here are three common issues Texas gardeners might encounter:

Botrytis Blight

• What it looks like: Gray mold on flowers, leaves, and stems.
• What causes it: High humidity and poor air circulation create the perfect environment for this fungal disease. Our unpredictable rainfall can definitely contribute.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly. Remove and destroy infected plant parts. Avoid overhead watering. Fungicides can be used in severe cases.

Geranium Budworm

• What it looks like: Holes in buds and flowers, chewed leaves, and small green caterpillars.
• What causes it: These caterpillars feed on geraniums.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick caterpillars. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray, an organic insecticide, to control infestations.

Edema

• What it looks like: Small, blister-like bumps on the undersides of leaves.
• What causes it: Edema is caused by inconsistent watering and high humidity, leading to the plant absorbing more water than it can transpire.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure consistent watering practices. Improve air circulation around plants.

Texas Specific Challenges: The hot-to-extreme heat, variable humidity, and unpredictable rainfall in Texas can create a challenging environment for geraniums. Providing adequate shade during the hottest part of the day, ensuring proper drainage, and monitoring for pests and diseases are crucial for success.

Geraniums are great companion plants for several garden vegetables and flowers. They can help deter certain pests and attract beneficial insects.

• Tomatoes: Geraniums can help repel tomato hornworms, a common pest in Texas gardens.
• Peppers: Similar to tomatoes, geraniums can deter pests that attack peppers.
• Corn: Geraniums can attract beneficial insects that prey on corn earworms.
• Roses: Geraniums are said to deter Japanese beetles, a common rose pest.

Avoid planting geraniums near plants that prefer consistently moist soil, as geraniums prefer the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Also, keep them away from plants that are highly susceptible to fungal diseases, as geraniums can sometimes be affected by botrytis blight.