Here it is -- November already. This article will give you the garden calendar update.
For the First Week of November:
• Plant remainder of spring flowering bulbs.
• Pull up diseased-free annuals and add to compost pile along with leaves and leftover garden material.
• Cut back and mulch perennials. Mulching 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; and cover with sphagnum, moss, saw dust, 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 trunks 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 and peach trees.
• Cut leaf material down to ground level after frost has killed the leaf stalks on perennial vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb.
• Mulch evergreens.
• Store apples or pears separately from vegetables. These fruits give off a gas that speeds the ripening and breakdown of vegetables and that also changes their flavors.
• Water all trees and shrubs thoroughly every week until the ground freezes to prevent winter windburn.
The Last Week of November:
• Cut chrysanthemum stems back to ground level after they have stopped blooming. Add these stems, dried leaves and branches to the compost pile.
• Collect grapevines for making wreaths after the leaves have fallen in the woods.
• 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