Plant bulbs in containers for a flowery show

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 that the containers with bulbs do not freeze solid on a consistent basis. Water the bulbs well at planting and provide some supplemental water as needed during the remainder of 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 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 tulips that deer prefer, then it will be a good idea to net the bulbs when you have them outside.

• Evergreens planted over the previous three years should be watered as needed this month if conditions are warm and dry. The recent rains may not be enough to carry your new trees through the winter. It is easy to forget about watering during the colder weather in November.

Recently planted evergreens should not go into winter under drought stress, which will increase the chance of winter burn. Evergreens can lose moisture from their leaves faster than the roots can replace it from frozen ground when there is low soil moisture, freezing temperatures and blowing wind.

Make sure the root balls of evergreen trees are thoroughly moistened when watering by applying water to the base of the plant. Densely branched evergreen trees can shed water from rain or a sprinkler away from the root ball.

• It's best to stay off your lawn when there is a heavy frost present in the early morning, as the grass crowns can be damaged by traffic when frozen, leaving brown footprints in the yard. Once the frost melts, you can resume normal activities.

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