November 2015 Tips

11/1/2015

Dear Gardening Friends,

This mild fall has been a gift to those of us who haven’t gotten all the garden work done. I spent the day doing some last minute chores. The following are some suggestions for late fall gardening chores:

If you haven’t drained your hoses and put them away, now would be the time.

You can also bring in any garden art, hose guards, pots or decorations that should not be left out over the winter.

Any untreated ceramic or terra cotta pots should not be left out all winter.

It’s not too late to gather some mulched leaves. If you are storing bags of mulched leaves as I do, leave the bag open at the top so they don’t get moldy.
- If the leaves are wet it is important to dry them or ventilate them by cutting slits in the bags for additional air circulation. Bags with damp leaves should also have spaces between them to avoid spontaneous combustion.

If you plan to cut back any perennials with firm stems, cut them, a little high. Leaving 8 to 10 inches of stem provides larva habitat and wintering over sites for beneficial insects. It also shows you exactly where your plants are for next spring.

Since they are predicting a somewhat mild winter I’m leaving a lot of leaves in the beds. This will provide some winter protection and can be raked out next spring. Cleaning your beds to bare ground can exacerbate the freezing and thawing of the soil if there is not a blanket of protective snow.

I still have geraniums that look good so I am not pulling them just yet.

A few of you have mentioned primroses blooming and spring bulb foliage coming up. They should be fine for next spring.

You can still plant bulbs until the ground freezes, but the sooner the better.

If you have critter issues put up protective fencing.
- For rabbit protection it’s necessary to have the fencing 2 feet higher than the snow will be, otherwise they just use the snow to hop over the fencing and munch.

Put up wind protection for shrubs that are susceptible to winter wind. Shrub coats or burlap work well.

With the weather so mild you can still weed. Every weed you remove now won’t be there in the spring.

If you have any unplanted pots of perennials you can winter them over with one of the following methods:
- Sink the pots in the compost pile or garden bed and mulch over the top. You can use laves, straw or pine boughs after the holidays.
- Place the pots close together in a sheltered spot next to the house or garage and cover with mulch as suggested above.
- Move the pots into the garage or shed and cover with leaves. The pots should be given a little water a few times during the winter as they won’t get moisture from snow or rain.

If you brought any annuals or houseplants in the house check them for hitch hikers.

I have created birdbaths, stepping stones and hypertufa planters that would make great Holiday gifts. Copies of my book: Five Keys to Better Gardening and gift certificates for a garden consult and/or plants are also available. Contact me for questions or additional information.

Happy Gardening!

Lyn Chimera

Lessons from Nature

170 Pine St., E. Aurora, NY 14052

716-652-2432

[email protected]