November

Landscaping Tips for the Month of November

Have soil tested at a local cooperative extension service to determine pH and nutritional levels

Continue to thoroughly water trees, shrubs, lawn areas and planting beds until ground freezes
Complete removal of fallen leaves and debris to protect from overwintering of insects and disease organisms
Cut back perennials to 4-5in., but leave ornamental grasses to provide winter interest until spring
Mulch boxwood and broad-leaved evergreens before ground freezes
Mulch flower beds to keep soil temperature stable and prevent winter injury from frost heaving
Provide burlap windbreaks for boxwood and broad-leaved evergreens. Install stakes before ground freezes
Protect trees from mouse damage with wire mesh trunk guards
Protect shrubs from deer with burlap or netting
Mow lawn one final time to a height of 1-2in.
Aerate soil around rose roots and hill up the earth 10-12in. around the crown after a heavy frost
Continue to feed birds

Continue to plant deciduous trees and shrubs until the ground freezes
Complete planting spring-flowering bulbs
Propagate deciduous shrubs such as hydrangea, viburnum and weigela; and evergreens such as ilex, juniperus, and taxus
Pot hardy spring bulbs for indoor forcing

Fertilize trees and shrubs before the ground freezes so that food is available to plants in early spring
Incorporate lime and fertilizer in the annual and vegetable gardens for next growing season
Complete pruning of late-blooming trees and shrubs
Prune early spring-flowering shrubs only to remove diseased or damaged branches to preserve buds

Give houseplants as much light as possible as lower light days begin
Continue to let up on fertilizing indoor plants until spring
Provide houseplants with increased humidity; mist often or place plants over a tray of moist pebbles
Pot up prepared bulbs for indoor forcing
Begin to increase the time between waterings but do not cut back on the amount of water