Can poinsettia plants be planted outdoors after the holidays?
We enjoyed them very much in our Palm Springs landscape but don’t notice them growing outdoors as shrubs up here. — V.C., Bellevue M.B.: Poinsettias are natives of Mexico and die if left outside in our winter weather. Your holiday poinsettia plant will thrive for months inside — as long as you keep it away from heat and drafts and don’t make it stand in its own drainage water. Sometimes poinsettias live so long they overstay their welcome. This is when a trip to the compost pile recycles the potting soil and top growth and gives the plant a death with some dignity. It is a much kinder option than sending your poinsettia off to a dark corner where it becomes depressed and begins weeping leaves until somebody takes it out with the trash. Q: I want to start tomato plants from seed and know I will have to plant the seeds indoors in the winter so the plants will be ready to set outside in the spring. What date do you recommend I plant the seeds? — W., e-mail M.B.: Wait a few more months.
