Have some fun with forcing or layering bulbs

Certain bulbs, such as daffodils, hyacinths, tulips and crocuses, are excellent for forcing in pots in a greenhouse or home. They need to be chilled for six to 10 weeks at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below to fulfill the requirements of a dormant period. Plant them in pots in the fall and leave in a cold place before bringing them inside for forcing. Place the pots in a cold frame outside, plunge the pots into the ground and mulch. You can also just plant the pots in a garden bed for the required chill time. Do not allow the pots to dry out. You may need to provide some supplemental water during warm and dry periods in November. When the pots are brought inside, gradually acclimate the bulbs to the conditions in your home, keeping them at 50 to 60 degrees for a few days if possible.

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. Keep the containers in an unheated garage or shed over winter. An attached garage works best to prevent containers with bulbs from freezing solid. Water the bulbs in 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 the weather begins to warm up. Move the pots outside as the weather warms in spring and the bulbs will grow and flower. Move the bulbs back into the garage if a hard freeze is predicted. If you have planted tulips that deer like, net the bulbs when you have them outside.

•Evergreens planted over the last couple of years should be watered as needed in November if conditions become dry. 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 increases the chance of winter burn. Evergreens can lose moisture from their leaves faster than the roots 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. Check the root balls of evergreens that were planted this year to make sure that the rains have been getting to the root ball where its roots are located now. Densely branched evergreen trees can shed water from rain or a sprinkler away from the root ball.

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