Gardening doesn't end as the snow arrives

Pot up new amaryllis bulbs in wide, squat containers using a soilless growing medium. Allow the "shoulders" of the bulb to remain above 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 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 Oct. 15 for its resting period.

• Though the outdoor gardening season may be over except for pruning and monitoring for animal damage, you can still garden inside by trying to grow herbs. Sow seeds of parsley, oregano, sage and dwarf basil in clay pots. Once they germinate, place them under grow lights and water when very dry. Fertilize the plants with a half-strength solution of a liquid fertilizer.

• Cyclamen plants prefer quite 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.

• Continue to 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.

• Follow directions on bags of ice melt when salting slippery areas on walkways. Many people apply too much ice melt, which can cause damage to walkways and adjacent plants.

Consider using sand on slippery areas. Mixing a small amount of ice melt 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.

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