Is there something I can put on my potatoes to keep them from sprouting over winter? 

There is nothing home gardeners can put on potatoes to keep them from sprouting. The keys to successful storage of potatoes are the proper temperature and relative humidity. 

Before placing the potatoes in storage, cure the tubers at a temperature of 50 to 60 degrees F and relative humidity of 85 to 90 percent for two weeks. The curing period allows minor cuts and bruises to heal and the skin to thicken on the tubers. 

Once cured, store potatoes at a temperature of 40 degrees F and relative humidity of 90 to 95 percent.  Use a dark storage location as potatoes turn green when exposed to light. The tubers may begin to sprout in 2 or 3 months if storage temperatures are above 50 degrees F. 

How should I prepare my perennial beds for winter? 

Once the herbaceous perennial foliage has been destroyed by a hard freeze, the plants can be cut off near ground level. Compost the plant debris. Most established perennials (those in the ground one or more years) do not require winter protection.  However, a few perennials, such as garden mums, can be damaged in winter and should be mulched in fall to prevent injury. Most perennials planted within the past three to four months should also be mulched. Good mulching materials are clean, weed-free straw, pine needles and chopped cornstalks. A 6- to 8-inch-layer should be adequate for most perennials. Mid- to late November is usually a good time to mulch perennial beds in Iowa. 

How can I overwinter a container grown tree? 

Container grown trees and shrubs should not be left above ground over the winter months. The roots of most trees and shrubs are far less hardy than their aboveground stems or trunks. Container grown plants are growing in relatively small amounts of potting soil. When containers are left above ground, the temperature of the potting mix may drop into the teens or single digits, damaging or destroying the root systems of the plants. 

An excellent way for home gardeners to overwinter container grown trees and shrubs is to dig holes in a garden area and set the pots in the ground. After the plants have placed in the holes, place soil around the pots as if planting them. Soil is a good insulator and will protect the roots from extreme cold. 

Container grown trees and shrubs can also be overwintered by placing them in a consistently cool location (temperature in the upper 20s to lower 40s) over the winter months. The cool temperatures will keep the plants dormant until spring.  The biggest problem is often finding a suitable location. If storage temperatures get extremely cold, the plants may be injured. If the temperatures are too warm, the plants may break bud and begin to grow. 

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