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Philodendron, rubber plants and spiderwort have been popular houseplants for decades. Now, growers are introducing new varieties and colors to liven your environs. Propagate some to grow outdoors in containers this summer, too.

The time for planting seeds in the soil is months away. Still, this is a great time to evaluate your half-used and opened garden seed packets to check if they are still viable for spring planting.

Balsam fir trees are a traditional choice for holiday decorations. Other types and sizes can look festive, too, like spruce, pine and boxwood.

Choose the correct container and citrus variety, and you could have a mini indoor orangerie this winter.

Treat the birds this winter to seed and suet, as well as dead trees, native berries and wood piles.

Turnips and rutabagas are a common part of traditional American holiday feasts. They are often overlooked at other times of the year. Try planting sweeter varieties of these brassicas and enjoying them cooked or raw year-round.

Charlie Nardozzi answers gardeners' questions and gives advice on how to get their gardens and tools ready for overwintering and storage.

There are several different kinds of holiday cactuses: There's a Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus and an Easter cactus. Holiday cactuses earn their names because they tend to bloom near Christian holidays.

You can plant crocus, daffodils and tulips outdoors now, as the soil is cool enough for them to overwinter and bloom next spring. And you can also plant bulbs in containers indoors. Use a layering technique and they will blossom for a month.

Love to use garlic in cooking? Consider planting your own. You can choose garlic types based on your taste. Then, as long as you've got composted and well-drained soil, you should get a good garlic harvest next summer.