Paperwhites are a favorite for the season -- until they grow too tall and flop to one side. To rein them in, root the bulbs in gravel with a solution of 1 part rubbing alcohol and 10 parts water. They'll stop growing at about two-thirds their usual height.

The holidays may be over, but with this arrangement you can extend the season's charms -- and its fragrant greenery. Just snip some branches off the Christmas tree before it heads to the compost heap, and place them in a vase. To offset the fir's stiffness, add cedar and seeded eucalyptus. Finally, the luxurious touch: a few dozen white tulips from your florist. Voila: a fresh display to welcome the New Year.

A tall, egg-shaped vase such as this ceramic one supports the weak-stemmed tulips and emphasizes the arrangement's loose, natural feel. Verso vase, in Sage, calvinklein.com.

When it is winter and most plants outside are dormant, Martha loves to spend time inside her two greenhouses, which are packed full of beautiful plants on her property in Katonah, New York.

The greenhouses hold her tropical plants (plants that live outdoors in the summer but need to come indoors during colder months), larger plants such as Australian Tree Ferns, citrus plants such as Kumquat trees, topiaries, cacti, succulents, and several types of vegetables and herbs.

Don't throw out the foam peanuts or bubble packing material the next time you get a box in the mail; put them to use. 

When filling outdoor planters, sub the packing material for up to half the soil. The plant won't know the difference, the container will be lighter, and you'll use less soil. Place the packing material in a plastic bag at the bottom of the pot, and cover with the soil.

Soothe an insect bite or numb a mild burn without freezing your fingertips by using ice frozen in a film canister. Wash canister with soap and water beforehand, fill with water (allowing room for its expansion), cover, and freeze. To use, run cool water over the canister, then uncap, and gently squeeze to loosen the ice.