KENT GARDENER
By: Maggie L. Moor
Delaware Cooperative Extension
Delaware State University
Here it is -- November already. This article will give you your garden calendar update.
For the First Week of November:
· Finish planting spring flowering bulbs.
· Pull up disease-free annuals and add to compost pile along with leaves and leftover garden material.
· Cut back and mulch perennials. This mulch 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; cover with sphagnum, moss, sawdust, 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 trunk 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 trees and peach trees.
· After frost has killed the leaf stalks on perennial vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb, cut leaf material down to ground level.
· Mulch evergreens.
· Do not store apples or pears with vegetables. These fruits give off a gas that speeds the ripening and breakdown of vegetables and will change their flavors.
· To prevent winter windburn, thoroughly water all trees and shrubs weekly until the ground freezes.
The Last Week of November:
· After chrysanthemums have stopped blooming, cut the stems back to ground level and add these stems, dried leaves and branches to the compost pile.
· After leaves have fallen, go into the woods and collect grapevines for making wreaths.
· 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.