Get the Garden Winter Ready

Rose "Sweet Spirit" was planted in 2021. It’s done very well, but the cane on the right, the tallest, may need slight pruning so it doesn’t get broken and wind whipped during the winter. The remaining foliage also needs to be removed so disease organisms that can be on the foliage won’t reinfect next year's leaves and stems. ANDREW MESSINGER

This natural clay pot will not survive the winter. It’s full of soil and one very cold night will cause the soil to expand as it freezes and the pot will split. Simply emptying it, inverting it and setting it on wooden spacers would probably get it through the winter unscathed. ANDREW MESSINGER

Most of my fuel storage jugs have a plastic tag attached that has notes on when it was last filled and if stabilizer was added. With stabilizer most fuels can be stored in jugs for up to six months. ANDREW MESSINGER

Terra cotta (any clay or cement) pots need to be emptied and stored properly to avoid winter cracking, splitting and chipping. This faux terra cotta pot made from an extruded foam product is winter hardy and can withstand freezing but should still be emptied before winter. ANDREW MESSINGER

"Teaming With Bacteria" by Jeff Lowenfels