Question: How can I store bulbs that will not survive the winter?
Answer: Tender bulbs such as caladiums, tuberous begonia, etc. should be  lifted  as soon as the foliage is knocked down by the first light frost  of  fall. They should be air  dried in a  location that  does not freeze. To prevent rot, the bulbs can be dusted with a fungicide.  Store them in a cool but  not freezing  place that is not excessively hot or dry. If you don't have a cellar, a garage might do.

Question: How should I store pumpkins?
Answer: Pumpkins should be harvested with a three to four inch stem. Curing pumpkins helps heal bruises and hardens the skin. This is done by storing them for a week to ten days at about 80 degrees F with high humidity. Long term storage should be  in a  cool dry place with good ventilation after curing. Keep the pumpkins from touching in storage to avoid rot.

Question: Are there any ferns that will survive the  winter in Northwest Arkansas?
Answer: Autumn fern and Japanese Painted fern are two who have proven to survive NWA winters.

Question: I  have two Alberta spruces growing in pots, will they survive the winter?
Answer:  A plant in a pot is not  insulated as a plant in the ground  would be. You could pile up soil around the pots for protection or you can take the spruces into a cool bright porch. Taking them into a heated house would not be to their liking.

Question: When can I transplant my forsythia?
Answer: Forsythia, like all spring blooming plants, sets buds in late summer before going dormant.If these plants  are moved now, they may sacrifice their  flowers in adjusting to a new  location. It is best to transplant all spring flowering plants immediately after bloom so that they have a chance to recover and set buds for the following spring.

Note: After seventeen years, this Ask a Master, Pauline Keegan , will retire. A new Ask a Master, Susan  Young, will take the reins and answer your questions starting in early spring.