Winter Planting Preparations

Storing soil, sand and peat for the winter - Before frost gets into the ground, dig a bushel or two of soil for use during the winter. And don't forget to have on hand a bushel of sand and another of peat or humus.

Planting roses - Fall planting of roses is a risky business in parts of the Middle West north of the latitude of Springfield, Illinois, and Columbus, Ohio. South of this line planting has more chance of success; but the sooner it's done, the better.

Providing surface drainage for the Power beds - Now, while the ground is still workable, is the time to provide surface drainage for the perennial and bulb beds. Dig shallow trenches along the beds to carry away surface water.

Protecting plants in the coldframe - For pansies, forget-me-nots, English daisies and other plants now is a critical time for wintering in the coldframe. Do not put the sash on the frame until average temperatures stay below freezing. And cover the glass so that temperatures don't rise excessively in the frame.

Planting peonies - Although it is late, peonies can still be planted during the first two weeks of the month.

Forcing bulbs for Christmas bloom - As soon as possible bulbs for Christmas flowering should be planted. The one exception is paper-white narcissus, which should be started about eight weeks before it is to flower.

Top-dressing lilies-of-the-valley - All too often lilies-of-the-valley are left to run wild. Top-dress the planting now with old manure, leafmold or well-rotted compost.

Sowing rye in the vegetable garden - As each row in the vegetable garden is harvested, sow seed of winter rye. It will grow in near-freezing weather and will take up plant food in the soil that would otherwise be lost through leaching. In the spring the rye can be turned under.

Spraying house plants - Before bringing in house plants like rhoeo plant from the garden, spray them with a good all-purpose insecticide to kill aphids, mealy bugs arid other pests.

Storing four-o'clocks - Old-fashioned four-o'clocks can be stored for the winter. The lifted roots are handled as dahlias are. After being reset in spring, the plants will grow larger and flower earlier than those grown the same season from seed.