NOTES FROM THE FILE

Container gardening gains in popularity every year with many suggested combinations including perennials.  In our climate many of the perennials chosen by gardeners won't survive planting to the open garden come fall. The plants have satisfied some deep-rooted love for the plant but now what to do?

The general rule of thumb is that perennials need to be hardy to one zone colder than your zone to overwinter in a container.  If possible, move the container to a warmer sheltered area, perhaps a garage.  If a garage or carport isn't possible, use a piece of doubled row cover for protection in the coldest weather.  Make a note to water occasionally throughout the winter.

Remember the days of macramé hoops?  There are probably some still around either deep down in your crafting stash or at a thrift shop.  With so many things going "retro" perhaps the hoops are back on the shelves at craft stores.  

The hoop covered in chicken wire becomes a cloche used to mark the spot of small perennials that disappear over the winter.  Use chicken wire cut in a circle 4 to 5 inches larger than the hoop (it doesn't have to be a perfect circle).  Twist the wire edges around the hoop.  Hand shape into a dome.  Place the cloche over the plant and secure with lawn staples to keep it in place over the winter.  Lawn staples can be crafted by using heavy wire or pieces of a wire clothes hanger bent in a U shape.  Cut the wire or hanger 10 inches long and bend over.  The cloche would also be useful in deterring critters looking for a quick snack. 

Using golf tees to mark the location of bulbs has its appeal in that it would be colorful landscape dots on the barren soil.  But, in thinking it through, what came to mind was mole, vole, and critter disturbance.  A golf tee isn't that long and a deer especially, tromping over the soil would certainly mess up your well-organized colorful plot.  We will leave that hint to those who don't have critters, either underground or over-ground.

Another colorful marking of bulbs came from Canada.  To prevent squirrels from digging up fall bulbs, the gardener plants the bulbs and then plants a fall mum on top.  This adds instant seasonal color and at the same time protects the bulbs from being dug up. 

Have you thought about how to winter prep your raised beds?  After you have weeded, add a thick layer of mulch.  Then add a layer of cardboard, add some good CO rocks to hold it in place and your spring prep will be a breeze.  Weeds won't have a chance. 

How many times do we start doing a job and realize all the component parts aren't in one place.  Save yourself some spring frustration by packing a label kit box now.  It is simply a plastic-lidded container about 8-10 inches long.  Use it for plant labels, scissors, soft#3 pencils, and permanent-marking pens.  In the busy days of spring, you won't have to spend time gathering your supplies.

One of the last and probably the most important item on the fall list should be the sharpening of your pruners.  There are many U-Tube sites to guide you through the process.  Look up 'How to Sharpen Pruners'.