Question
QUESTION: What is the best way to winterize my perennials in a raised flowerbed?  It is 30" high with lilies , daisies and other perennials.

ANSWER: Hi Vickie,
Thanx for your question.  Where are you at in Canada?  That will make a big difference for winterizing.  Let me know so I can accurately answer your question as best I can.
thx,
Tom

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QUESTION: Yes Tom.  I am on the priairies in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.

ANSWER: Hi Vickie,
Thanx for your question.  It looks like you are in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b.  To winterize the perennial flower bed, start trimming back dead or dying plant material now and remove it to the compost bin unless it is diseased in which case you will want to burn it or otherwise dispose of it away from the growing area.  After the frost has killed back almost everything, trim back the dead material and compost it.  Mulch the beds with straw.  If you have plants growing in the beds that are not reliably hardy to Zone 3b, you'll either want to lift them and store them in a cool basement or use them as annuals.  It might help to shore up the sides of the raised beds with straw also.  Cold north winds in the winter, beating against raised beds can sometimes result in the death of plant roots.  Most plants that are hardy in zone 3 will tolerate being frozen or partially frozen.  I think I'd still like the added protection of shoring up straw against my raised beds especially if they are exposed to the north or otherwise unprotected by a treeline, shrubs, walls etc.  I hope this helps.
Tom

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QUESTION: I recently purchased bulbs and planted them in a flower box, afraid that if I left them in the packagea over the winter, they would rot.  I'm wondering if I did the right thing?  If I did, can I put them in the garage for the cold months and transplant them in the spring?

Answer
Hi Vickie,
Thanx for your question. In the future, if you want to store bulbs, place them in some netted bags and hang them in a cool, dry, dark cellar or basement.  The cooler the better as long as it's not freezing.  The bulbs can keep for a long time like this.  If you planted bulbs in a flower box, dragging them into a garage for the cold months would be great.  This will be good protection for them.  I hope this helps.
Tom