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Clean bird feeders to keep the birds healthy

It is important to thoroughly clean bird feeders and water basins regularly 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 mild disinfectant or a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water can be used for washing. When refilling feeders in between more thorough cleanings, remove any wet clumps of old seed and discard them.

Potted plants and cut flowers make great gifts at this time of year. I especially like seeing a bit of color indoors during the winter months. Be sure to protect houseplants and cut flowers from cold temperatures when purchasing them in the winter.

Most garden centers 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.

Place the plants in a stable location on the way home. When transporting plants, the bus, train, or 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 vehicle 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 it. Do not attempt to pull the wrapper off the plant, as you risk breaking stems, flowers and leaves.

Plants should be removed from their wrappings as soon as possible, and before 24 hours have passed. Open the top to allow the plants to get air if you cannot remove the entire wrapping right away. Cut the ends of cut flowers and place in water as soon as possible. Remove any leaves that will be under water in the vase.

Recycle holiday decor

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. Be sure to remove non-plant items such as tinsel and wire before placing them in the garden.

Lightweight, open evergreens permit moisture to reach the soil and help insulate the roots and crowns of plants from the freeze-thaw-freeze cycles 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 as winter cover for local birds.

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

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