People who know plants: what do I do with these patio plants now that it's winter? After two freezes, the petunia and the...I think it's a geranium, seem to be dead, but the snapdragon is alive, and unaccountably the mums or daisies seem to be hanging in there. But it's going to freeze the next few nights and none of them are going to survive that. I can't bring them inside because of the cats, and I have no shed or other protected space for them. I didn't think this through when I bought them, obviously. I don't even know what to do with the dead ones, since I don't have a composter.

Snapdragons will frequently overwinter like pansies, and the mums/daisies may be perennials. Water them well;, move them close to the house; and if there are some leaves handy, pile them up around the pots. Then wait until spring.

I think all my dead plants might be a sign that you should not listen to me. That said - a lot of things die back in the winter and come back in the spring even if they are not really supposed to. Just start watering them again when it starts to warm up, see what happens. You might put an old blanket or sheet around the ones that still seem alive to give them a little protection, or move them into a sheltered corner, or even throw some Christmas lights on them for the warmth from the bulbs.

It's too late now, but did I make the right call in throwing away my tomato and pepper plants?

Yes, they're toast.

Black Footed Ferrets - making a comeback.

I think you made the right call, Jesse.

Absent divine intervention, tomatoes and peppers will not make it through the winter in your climate.

Maybe I'll leave those plants in the planter boxes Hubby put on the front of the house. Some of them are annuals, I'm not sure if any are perennials. As I told him repeatedly, "I do not garden." I watered them until I couldn't cope and the 100 degree sun finished baking them, so I don't know if they're actually dead or stunned. I'll wait till Spring to see if they've joined the Choir Invisible.

As a local garden personality says, "It's not dead until it's warm and dead."

I talked with a person who has openings on his team. We're both not super sure I would be great for the current openings, but he wants to get headcount for another thing that is 100% in my wheelhouse. Unfortunately, I have to wait to see if that position will exist.

I mean, it's not like I want to move before Christmas anyway, so I just have to figure out how to keep doing a good job and keep my anxiety from eating me, starting with my bottom.