When I lived in Nebraska, we'd plant ours in the ground in springtime and dig them up in the fall and keep them in the house, and repeat each year. They'd look awful in the spring when we'd first plant them...they would lose their leaves and look bad for a month or so, but then, they'd put out new growth and look amazing all the rest of the spring/summer. They'd get around 3 feet wide and almost as tall...the most amazing geraniums you've ever seen! We found out it's a good idea to cut it back after planting in them outside in the springtime. Then you can stick the cuttings in the ground and the'll root almost 100% of the time...giving you more and more each year.

Your grandmother has the right idea for her locality..cold, northern Iowa. Us northern folks get the wrong idea about southern locales; New Mexico suggests warm weather when approaching January....in California January is the month they plant so naturally..... You can keep your geranium going with the amount of sun you have as long as possible...but as soon as it wilts, cut it back to about 4", remove any old leaves and bloom, any weak or damaged stems or branches; re-plant in a fresh pot with fresh potting soil or potting mix. Put something in the pot between the soil and the drainage holes. Put it in the best sunny window you can...south or west is best and water to drainage. No more water until the new leaves form, then water only as the plant needs it. Do not fertilize until well along in foliage. Normally, up north we bring our geraniums out by the Ides of March..(15th) and do the same thing. We suspect New Mexico will have better sun pretty soon. Its all up to the sun....its still low but getting better every day. Turn the plant every day or so to ensure all parts get equal sun. When you water, always water to drainage, then dump the excess in the saucer. Let it dry down somewhat between waterings. Within 2 weeks you will have a fresh measure of leaves and more each day. It will bloom later when the sun is better.

yes I grow them inground AND pots.I find the lovely ivy geraniums do quite well as hanging plants.One in a coir and wire hanger and several in conrete urns and look alikes. I also have HUGE orange ones in blue glazed pots I must say that I think the variety has alot to do with how they look and also you must remember that EPCOT changes their plants as soon as they begin to look poorly.If you notice the impatience had holes where the plants wee to be replaced.The little movie inside gave a talk on it. I know some people do not do well with geraniums in the summer but I have had the same ones for years. I bought them at Rock City Nursery who starts their own in greenhouses and I must say the varieties are great. I do not feel they need all that much water and in fact some get totally forgotten and still hang in there.

we use these: http://www.target.com/p/anchor-glass-bistro-pitcher-2qt/-/A-15295071?sid=2124S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Dining+Shopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Dining&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9007220&lsft=gclid:CIOI39DP384CFYQkhgodKpQHHQ,gclsrc:aw.ds&gclid=CIOI39DP384CFYQkhgodKpQHHQ&gclsrc=aw.ds have 3 on our door.... we all drink water all day....