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GARDENING IN NOVEMBER
BY GEORGE EDGAR 1.
Remove all dead annual plants from the flower and vegetable
garden if you haven’t already. Dead plants harbor insects and diseases
for the next year. Turning the garden soil over prior to winter and
after removal of all debris, helps expose disease organisms to the
extreme temperatures of winter which may kill them off and also helps
prevent problems next year. It is recommended you do this before the
ground freezes solid.
2.
Mulch perennials after a couple of hard freezes (28 degrees F. or
lower). Remember the mulch is to keep the ground cold the rest of the
winter and to insulate the crown of the plant from winter wind
dehydration. Shredded leaves that have been chopped up by the lawn
mower, wood chips, or clean straw or hay makes good organic mulch. Clean
straw is material that is as weed-free as possible. Mulch Strawberries
with this weed-free straw in early to mid-November. Small branches may
be used to keep mulch in place. Prune Roses to 24 inches so they do not
blow in the strong winter winds and break. Next Spring prune Rose canes
lower and especially any dead branches. 3.
After Thanksgiving, on a day when the temperature is above 40 degrees F.
and remains above 40 degrees F. for at least 4 to 6 hours after
application, apply your first application of an anti-desiccant/anti-transpirant
such as Wilt-stop or Wilt-pruf to newly planted evergreen trees and
shrubs, and other plants exposed to winter wind conditions. Plants that
do not lose their needles or leaves such as Holly, Boxwood,
Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Taxus (Yews), and other small evergreen trees
especially need this protection from the winter wind dehydration.
We have a small Fat Albert Spruce, a small Umbrella Pine, a small
Umbrella Spruce, a row of Boxwood shrubs, an Azalea, and a Rhododendron
that I will spray after Thanksgiving. A second application will go on
after New Years Day, and a third after Valentines Day. I use a hose end
sprayer where and when possible.
If not possible I use a one gallon pump up sprayer with the
anti-desiccant mixed with lukewarm water.
We use the phrase “winter kill” but it is really “winter wind
dehydration”. The winter sun and wind dries out the plant needles and
leaves but the ground is frozen so the plant can not replenish the
water. Thus the plant/shrub/tree dries up, especially the tips, causing
“winter burn” to the tips or “winter kill” to the whole branch or even
the plant. Evergreen trees, shrubs, and other plants that do not lose
their leaves or needles are especially vulnerable. Also, even though the
ground is frozen, applying water to plants helps. Water applied to
trees, shrubs, and plants on a warm winter day when the temperature is
above 40 or 45 degrees F. will still soak into the frozen soil and be
beneficial. After New Years Day, around Valentines Day, and around
Easter are good times to consider watering. Just let the water run very,
very slowly. 6.
Attract birds to the winter landscape by feeding with a
recommended mix for your area. Remember that the mix must be for the
birds that will over winter in your garden. In the fall and spring we
have migrations but very seldom in the winter.
Birds need water to drink, to clean themselves, and also as a way
to stay warm. So keep your bird bath filled and use a birdbath de-icer
or heater. You can purchase one that you set in the bowl or I have one
that has the heating coils built into the bowl. Open water is a real
bird magnet. Copyright 2015 |