Help me prepare my container garden for winter?

I'm no expert, but I think it will definately depend on how hardy the plants are. The ones that can survive at lower tempertures would do okay in the garage probably. But the more sensitive ones should be brought inside. Do you have a basement? Maybe set up a grow light for them.

Jamie
FCR Round 2: The Wolf Huntress

i'll check back to see if you got any advice.....i find myself in the same situation....i am eager to save my herbs (basil parsley rosemary and oregano). i saved seeds from the tomatos for next year already.

I think you are too far north to leave them out and expect them to live.

I have also never had much luck bringing in outside plants for the winter.

Some expensive ones I do bring in to my basement near a window and keep cutting
back the shoots that the plant send up untill it can go outside again.

If your perrienials are bulbs or tubers and in pots you can lift them out of the dirt and keep in a bucket with a small amount of dry dirt in a dark place for the winter.

The only herb I've had any luck moving inside is Rosemary. Sometimes she lives all winter and sometimes she dies. Happily you can get fresh herbs now in the grocery store.

I'm curious about fruit? Strawberries? Again if you have a cool dark place, cut everything back and let them go dormant for the winter.

You should try your garage too. Mine is too cold for anything to live over the winter but mine is drafty. If yours is gtight - that might work but sub zero is going to freeze roots.

Good luck

Marilyn--thanks! We have a big enclosed back stairway that I might try storing them in. Its not heated or insulated, but since its right next to the house it would probably be warmer than the garage. Fingers crossed!

Are you familiar with cold frames. Basically if you have the room you dig a hole about a foot to a foot and a half deeper than your plants are tall. Add walls usually leave a small amount of space between the dirt and wooden walls. Add some hay to the space for added insulation. make the wooden walls slightly higher than ground level and use a piece of plexiglass or a storm window for the lid/door. If it gets really cold you can add a drop light for added heat.

I forgot you'll want to open the lid on the cold frame(s) occassionally to allow air circulation.