Plant bulbs in containers to get a start on spring

For a unique bulb display in spring, plant bulbs in containers. It is possible to layer bulbs in the container to create a dramatic display of bulbs. Keep the containers in an unheated garage over winter.

An attached garage will work best so the containers with bulbs will not freeze solid on a consistent basis. Water the bulbs in well at planting, and provide some supplemental water as needed during the remainder of the fall. The bulbs will be forming roots during this time.

You may need to water the containers in late winter as temperatures begin to warm up. Move the pots outside as the weather warms in the spring and the bulbs will grow and flower. Move the bulbs back in the garage if a hard freeze is predicted.

If you have planted tulip bulbs, which deer prefer, then it will be a good idea to net the bulbs when you have them outside.

• Wait to cut back perennials until early spring so there will be some winter interest in the garden. Some perennials such as hosta will not look good after being frozen so it is best to cut them back in fall as they flatten to the ground. Use a general rule, being cut back plants that do not look good late in the fall and cut back the remaining plants in early spring.

• You may want to consider cutting more perennials back in the fall if you have had problems with voles. Voles are compact rodents with stocky bodies, short legs and short tails. They can be mistaken for mice. They do not hibernate and are active throughout the year, mostly at dawn and dusk. Voles primarily eat the stems and leaves of various grasses, but they also consume other vegetation. They will eat tree bark and shrubs during the winter, which is typically the more serious damage of which to be concerned. Gardens with low-lying landscaping, such as arborvitae, spreading yews, junipers and cranberry cotoneaster, have higher potential for vole activity. Voles are the most prolific when they have abundant amounts of vegetation and cover. The damage is likely to be more severe during extended cold spells with deep snow cover. Eliminate weeds and dense ground cover around lawns to make these areas less able to support voles. Mow lawns and other turf regularly, and cut back vegetation from the bases of trees and shrubs as winter approaches in areas where there is vole activity. Also, it is a good idea to pull mulch back away from the base of trees and shrubs and keep the snow cleared away from the base of young trees. Reducing cover makes voles more vulnerable to predators such as hawks and owls. In general, removal of cover is very effective in preventing damage done by voles.

• Tim Johnson is director of horticulture at Chicago Botanic Garden, chicagobotanic.org.