The season is coming to an end. Here is a quick summary of the chores you should do before cold weather sets in.

The bulbs we normally plant for spring blossoms should be done. The compost bin that has matured can be applied as a ground mulch around flowering shrubs or roto-tilled into the garden area.

The hybrid tea roses should be reduced to about 50 per cent, knee-high or a little higher is OK. Do not cut shrub roses down, as they are normally hardy. Do not cut climbing roses down.

On Oct.12, Roseanne Van Ee gave us a tremendous presentation on mushrooms. She showed us pictures of items I did not know existed.

Okanagan Gardens and Roses meet Nov. 9 at the Schubert Centre. We are wide open to any new members of our executive group. The Christmas party in December will be finalized. Be sure to attend this meeting.

On Oct. 30, we are putting the Hospice House rose garden to bed for the winter. At about 1 p.m., we will have a load of fir bark or nature’s composted material to cover the roses for the winter. We need a couple of fellows who can push a wheelbarrow to move the material from the truck to the garden.

Very soon we will see loads of plants that show up at this time of year for colour at Christmas. Poinsettia is one that many people like. When you buy a plant at this time of year, make sure it doesn’t get damaged by the cold air, which severely shocks the plant. Do not over-water, as small amounts of water are preferred. If you use a moisture meter, let the reading be at the lower side of moist. Do not water to a point where the meter says wet.

My last column for the year will be Oct. 28. Over the summer I have had many phone calls from gardeners with problems, and I hope I have been helpful.