When it comes to ice melt, more is not better for your plants
Follow directions on bags of ice melt when salting slippery areas on walks - I have already seen several locations with excessive ice melt applied for the last couple of snow events.
Many people apply too much ice melt, which increase the likelihood of damage to walks and adjacent plants.
Consider just using sand on slippery areas. Mixing a small amount of ice melt in with sand can also be effective and minimize the amount of ice melt used.
Calcium- or potassium-based products will be less damaging to plants than sodium chloride products. Always shovel before spreading the de-icing material.
If you can, avoid piling snow mixed with ice melt onto your garden beds.
• Water any evergreen shrubs planted in containers for the winter during warm and dry periods. Evergreens continue to lose water through their leaves so providing supplemental water during winter will help prevent winter burn of the leaves.
• Pot up new amaryllis bulbs in wide, squat containers using a soilless growing medium. Allow the "shoulders" of the bulb to remain above the medium; water well once and then allow the medium to dry out before watering again. Keep the pot away from direct sun, drafts, and heating vents.
As the stalk grows, rotate the pot for even growth. Most amaryllis plants send up the stalk and flowers first.
After flowering, allow the stalk to yellow and wither before removing from the bulb. If you want to try to save the plant, continue to water when leaves emerge.
After May 15, take the plant outside to receive morning sun and fertilize regularly with a dilute 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 mix. Bring the bulb in before October 15 for its resting period.
• Cyclamen plants prefer very cool indoor conditions. Water them only when the soil dries out, and avoid splashing water on foliage. Remove faded flowers and their stems as soon as possible to keep the plants blooming and looking good.
• Tim Johnson is director of horticulture at Chicago Botanic Garden, chicagobotanic.org.