CORVALLIS — The days are short, the rain often unrelenting, and the holidays fast approaching — but a little time in the garden or garage now can make a big difference come spring.

Clean up garden beds

A common question this time of year is whether to cut plants back now or wait until spring. When it comes to vegetable gardens, the answer is clear: remove everything. Uproot spent plants, including annuals, to reduce the risk of soilborne diseases, which can persist for years.

For herbaceous perennials, the choice is more flexible. Many perennials die back naturally in fall. If so, go ahead and clean up the dead foliage and toss it in the yard debris bin or compost pile — but not if the plant showed signs of disease. Diseased material should never go into home compost.

On the other hand

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