NOVEMBER GARDENING CALENDER

For the First Week of November:

·        Plant remainder of spring flowering bulbs.

·         Pull up diseased-free annuals and add to compost pile along with leaves and leftover garden material.

·        Cut back and mulch perennials.  Mulching will insulate them from the winter cold, and cutting them back will give them a tidy appearance.

·        Dig up dahlias, caladiums, gladiolus, etc.  Wash away soil; dry, label and place in a bag or box; and cover with sphagnum, moss, saw dust, or perlite.  Store in a cool, dry place.

The Second Week of November:

·        Pot amaryllis to have them bloom by winter.

·        Drain and bring in garden hoses and sprinklers to avoid freezing damage.

·        Transplant trees and shrubs after leaves have dropped.

·        Clean up garden and plant cover crop to improve existing soil condition.

·        Prevent mice and rabbits from damaging young trees by wrapping the base of the trunks 18 inches high with screening.

·        Cut back roses 18 to 20 inches and mulch heavily to give them protection and help them survive the winter.

The Third Week of November:

·        Fertilize shade and peach trees.

·        Cut leaf material down to ground level after frost has killed the leaf stalks on perennial vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb.

·        Mulch evergreens.

·        Store apples or pears separately from vegetables.  These fruits give off a gas that speeds the ripening and breakdown of vegetables and that also changes their flavors.

·        Water all trees and shrubs thoroughly every week until the ground freezes to prevent winter windburn.

The Last Week of November:

·        Cut chrysanthemum stems back to ground level after they have stopped blooming. Add these stems, dried leaves and branches to the compost pile.

·        Collect grapevines for making wreaths after the leaves have fallen in the woods.

·        While in the woods, collect nuts, old bird nests, and pine cones to be used for decorating.

·        Pay careful attention to houseplants throughout the winter.

·        Check guy wires around newly planted trees to make sure they will not be damaged by windy weather throughout the fall and winter.