Garden Tip of the Month

NOVEMBER IN THE GARDEN

This page last updated 11/01/11

Garden
Tip of
the Month

Don’t stop watering yet. Especially, keep newly planted trees and shrubs watered until the ground freezes.

Drain your garden hose by drooping it over the garden shed or over the banister of decking and store in the garage or basement.

Turn off outside faucets, clean and store garden tools for the winter. Use a wire brush or crushed aluminum foil to remove rust and caked
on soil. Apply a light coating of mineral or vegetable or WD40.

Empty fuel from all summer power equipment. This is a good time to take the mower, weed trimmer, garden shears, etc. to a repair shop to
be tuned up and blades sharpened. You’ll miss the spring rush and give shop owners much needed winter business.
Condition wooden handles of garden tools by sanding any rough or splintery portions with sandpaper. Follow up with a rubbing paste wax
or paint the handles in a bright color. This makes finding tools that have been left in the grass easier to find and also brightens up the tool
shed. Tighten all handles and screws.

Cover strawberries with at least 2 inches of straw or hay.

If your trees are young, protect them by wrapping the trunks with a commercial tree wrap. This deters rabbits, voles and mice from
munching on tender bark.

If you plan to buy a live Christmas tree to transplant after the holidays, dig the hole now before the ground freezes. Store the soil in the
garage so it does not freeze. Place a board over the hole so that snow will not fill it and no one will step into it. Pound a marker into the
ground so you can find the hole if it snows. Plant the tree after the holidays and water.

Place shredded leaves or compost around the base of rose bushes to protect the bud union. Tie longer canes together to prevent wind
damage. Climbing roses should be tied to an anchor or gently pull them to the ground and top with mulch for protection.

Place an electric deicer in your birdbath to keep a supply of fresh water available for the birds. Make sure to keep the feeders full.

Cut back diseased perennials and dispose in the trash. Do not compost. Leave ornamental grasses and plants like sedum, coneflower,
Liatris, milkweed, black-eyed Susan Chrysanthemums, ferns and hostas. These will provide seeds for birds, protection for wildlife and
winter interest.

After the first frost, when leaves of dahlias, gladioli and cannas turn black, carefully dig them up and let them dry indoors on newspaper for
a few days. Then pack them in dry peat moss or shredded newspaper and store in a dark, humid spot until spring.

Divide peony, oriental poppies, hostas and day lilies now. Water until the ground freezes.

If you have plants and shrubs near the driveway or road, protect them from salt and chemical spray and runoff with a snow fence or burlap
wrap. Do not cover with plastic.

November is the time to fertilize your evergreens. Fertilizing stakes work great for this chore.

Plant spring bulbs now until the ground freezes and water. Plant them in odd numbered groups, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc. This is more visually
appealing rather than in a marching line. To prevent squirrels from eating freshly planted bulbs, mix garlic powder with bone meal and
sprinkle around the planting area. You can also lay a wire mesh (like chicken wire) over the planting area to prevent digging.

And again…feed the birds.

Now you can relax and enjoy the holiday season and winter, because it all starts over again in just 139 days from today (11/01/11)…that’s
the first day of spring.

You are listening to Percy
Faith - Autumn Leaves.