The Grinch is known to steal Christmas, but this year Mother Nature stole some of our fall color. Instead of the short, cool and bright days that disclose our normal fall colors, we had hot days and nights and brilliant skies that sent many leaves from green to brown and down.

This time of year, our normal autumn gardening activities turn to season closure projects. However, because we were shortchanged on colors, let’s continue gardening – but indoors!

First we must finish up some critical outdoor activities. The fact that frost-free faucets cannot drain as long as the hose is attached came as an expensive lesson to me some years ago, when I had to have the faucets replaced. The same factors are present if soil is left in our summer growing boxes, containers, pots, tubs and gardeners. The retained water expands with freezing and we immediately start considering where to buy replacements come spring. However, the materials of many of our plant vessels do not imbibe water and, once emptied and properly drained, they can be used right through the holidays for cut greens and other seasonal decorations.

Many containerized plants can be stored, yet this year, in their original containers. Tree roses, tender crepe myrtles, some hibiscus and other plants can be taken to a shed or stacked along the inside garage wall in a near-dry state. Enough water to just barely stay moist will preserve the roots and the tops will not normally freeze at about 32 to 35 degrees.

While the soil is still manageable, the last of the tulips, daffodils, lilies and other spring flowering bulbs can be planted. If the basal segments of geraniums are still viable, the special varieties and colors you hunted for last spring can be cut back, dried down, labeled and stored in the crawl space. Amaryllis, Kaifer lilies and the like can be given their eight to 10 weeks of rest, then potted and re-grown beginning Feb. 1, to get a jump start on spring color.

Even if all these things are done correctly and successfully, there’s still a significant time and color void in the winter months. There didn’t used to be much that could be done about that. However, the illuminating engineers, fixture fabricators, horticulturists and specialty retailers have combined efforts, and you can now nurture your desire to grow plants right on through the winter and significantly brighten your indoor environment.

In fact, it’s a completely new dimension to growing, nurturing and loving plants throughout the year, not just during winter. Knowing this to be true but being far from knowledgeable about indoor plant culture, I recently stopped by Indoor Gardens, at 4720 Indianola, and Garden Indoors, at 1222 Hill Rd. North, for some more information. I found out I could accommodate growing in our primary living quarters in smaller areas, and could even convert some square footage in my basement to growing areas. Not having to convert the dining room into a greenhouse during the winter certainly is an idea that excited my wife.

There are light bulbs and fixtures galore, even self-contained units for starting cuttings in the early spring. Neither space nor finances should constrain you. And once everything is set up, not even time can constrain you, because it can all feasibly be operated automatically.

Some bulbs are high pressure sodium, others are metal halide, and some are even combinations of these to satisfy plants’ needs for full spectrum light. They run in 200-watt increments up to 1,000 watts that will cover a 10-by-10-foot area. The high-pressure sodium bulbs emit more red light that will help the blooming process, while the metal halide gives off blue light, more appropriate for vegetative growth such as countertop herbs and small, leafy vegetables.

In the past, I have always suggested people buy the size of plants needed for decorative purposes because indoor light was too low and the day too short to be able to grow them properly. That is no longer the case. Now all you have to do is add the appropriate nutrients to the solutions and the light energy takes the photo processes from there.

Plants in our homes have proved to have some air quality benefits, but the mental/psychological benefits far outweigh all else. Even a day of low light and dry air and a bad case of “cabin fever” can be brightened by good lights and nurtured plants.

Fred Hower, known as “The Ohio Nurseryman,” has more than 45 years experience as a horticultural consultant, certified arborist and landscape designer. He can be heard on Plant Talk on WMNI 920-AM.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE BONUS: Do your part, be responsible. Buy your Christmas tree locally. Visit the Ohio Farm Bureau Web site at www.ourohio.org to find a location.