Work to clear-up containers that washed ashore after falling from a cargo ship is due to get under way. Sixteen containers, mostly full of bananas, fell overboard off the Isle of Wight on Saturday, at about 18:00 GMT.

This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here. Investigators looking into why about 75 containers tumbled off of a cargo ship Tuesday in the Port of Long Beach still don’t know the exact cause of the mishap.

Winter might seem like a quiet time for gardeners, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right containers and a little planning, your outdoor space can be bursting with color and life even when the temperatures drop.

GENTLE READER: Your solution is clever, if a bit devious and indirect. If you want to be more forthright -- or if you tire of cooking all that meat -- when the couple breaks out the containers, Miss Manners suggests you say, “Oh, we have plans for those leftovers, but please enjoy all you like while you are here.”

Upgrade your kitchen with Amazon’s top-rated food storage containers — durable, leakproof, and perfect for leftovers, meal prep, and pantry storage.

Ever find yourself staring at all those empty containers piling up in your kitchen and wondering if they could be useful? Turns out, your recycling bin is full of hidden treasures for gardeners.