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November's Tip of the Month
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Do not forget are feathered friends in
their time of need |
Most of the United States has experienced it's first frost which means it is time to get the garden ready for the long cold winter ahead. The warm days of the Indian Summer are a perfect time to get the garden in shape for next year.
Start by removing dead annuals and cutting back frost damaged perennials. Leave ornamental grasses and evergreen perennials for some unique texture through winter.
It is very important that any fruit or vegetable on the ground be removed. Rotting fruit, leaves and other debris can harbor insects and their eggs as well as fungus.
Add some bulbs to your planting beds for some early spring color!!
This is also an excellent time to turn your compost pile as you add debris. Do not over-feed your compost pile with leaves. An equal amount of green material needs to be added with leaves. Grass clippings and dead annuals should do the trick.
This is a good time to protect roses and azaleas in the northern climates. Constructing a temperary burlap fence around your azaleas will provide excellent wind protection. Roses should be mulched very heavily.
Prune any dead branches on trees and shrubs. Torn wounds and dead wood are excellent places for insects to hibernate and place eggs.
- Empty birdbaths, freezing temperatures can shatter ceramic and concrete baths, fountains and pots.
- Have your underground irrigation professionally flushed.
- If you have a fish pond remove water plants and cut back. Seal root ball in garbage bag and store in a cool garage.
- Remember to water your plants if you have not had rain recently (thanks to El Nino I think we've all had rain). If the ground is dry when it freezes it will cause drought symptoms next spring.
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