Christmas greenery can now go in the garden

Consider reusing your natural Christmas decorations by recycling Christmas tree branches (cut into 2- to 3-foot sections), swags, wreaths and other evergreen material as mulch for garden and perennial beds.

It is best to remove non-plant items such as tinsel and wire before placing in the garden.

Lightweight, open evergreens permit moisture to reach the soil but also help insulate the roots and crowns of plants from the freeze-thaw-freeze cycle of late winter.

The greens can also be arranged in containers for winter interest. Another use for your holiday tree is to place it in the garden and decorate it with bird seed and suet ornaments for winter birds.

• It is important to thoroughly clean and dry bird feeders and water basins on a regular basis to prevent the spread of bacteria and keep birds healthy. Use hot, soapy water to wash feeders or basins and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Occasionally, a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water can be used for washing. When refilling feeders in between these more thorough cleanings, remove any wet clumps of old seed and discard.

• It is important to protect houseplants from cold temperatures when purchasing them in the winter. Most garden centers will wrap plants to protect them from cold temperatures, but if they don't, be sure to ask them to wrap the plants for you. Wrapping the plants also protects them from breaking. Be sure the plants are placed in a stable location on the way home. When transporting plants, the car should be warm, especially if outdoor temperatures are below freezing. Plants should never be transported in a cold trunk or allowed to sit in a cold car for any length of time. It is best to set the plant on a stable surface and carefully tear or cut the wrapper from the bottom up to unwrap the plant. Do not attempt to pull the wrapper off the plant, as you risk breaking stems, flowers and leaves. Plants should stay within their wrappings for no more than 24 hours. Open the top to allow the plants to get air if you cannot remove the entire wrapping right away.

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