Once ice forms on branches, let it melt off

There has not been much snow yet this year, but when a storm does finally come, carefully shake snow off plants during heavy, wet storms to minimize damage.

Once snow or ice has frozen on the plants, it is best to let it melt off. Removing frozen snow or ice from plants can cause considerable damage.

Try to avoid piling up snow at the base of plants when shoveling by spreading the snow around more evenly as you shovel.

• There are two approaches to managing the fuel left in four- and two-cycle engines. One option is to drain the fuel out of the gas tank and run the engine to get all of the fuel out of the fuel lines and carburetor. Fuel that sits for a long time ages, and residues can form that may plug the small fuel jets in the carburetor. Removing the gasoline eliminates this problem.

The other option is to fill the tank and add a gas stabilizer into the gas tank and run the engine to get the treated gas into the carburetor. If you are using a gas that contains ethanol, it is important to use a stabilizer made to eliminate corrosion that is associated with alcohol fuels.

• If you have a home greenhouse, clear it out and wash all of the pots, trays and benches. Cleaning your greenhouse thoroughly will reduce pest problems next year.

Wash the windows inside and out to allow maximum light in over the winter, especially if you are planning to grow plants this season. Scrub benches, fixtures and glazing bars with a disinfectant such as one part bleach to nine parts water to help reduce disease problems.

Be sure to thoroughly hose off all surfaces when finished scrubbing. A thorough cleaning of a greenhouse window is also good to do annually.

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