NOVEMBER

In November, you can't miss seeing the Gingo tree from our Freedom Park Demo Garden

Overview

Nov. 15th is typically the time for the first frost in the Piedmont region.
- Protect tender garden plants on the first nights of frost with over-turned cardboard boxes, newspaper, bed sheets/pillowcases or burlap. Often, such precaution will reward you with several more weeks of bloom.
- Remove all dead foliage and clean up vegetable and flower beds after the first killing frost.

Plant and transplant trees, shrubs and groundcovers.
- Continue deep watering of newly planted evergreens, trees and shrubs until freezing weather occurs.
Choose deciduous trees now so you can buy them for fall color while they still have leaves.
- Popular choices include Chinese pistachio, maple, persimmon, redbud, sourwood and crape myrtle.
Take root cuttings now of woody shrubs and evergreens, such as azalea, holly and hydrangea.

Perennials:
- Dig, divide and replant overcrowded perennials that have finished flowering.
- Cut back peonies after the first frost.
- Cut cannas just above ground level and remove the debris to avoid over-wintering leaf rollers.
Bulbs:
- Spring flowering bulbs are still available (daffodil, Dutch iris, freesia, anemone, oxalis, ranunculus, hyacinth, crocus and tulip).
- Plant paper-white narcissus in stones in bulb pan in early November to have blooms for Christmas; continue bulb forcing through late winter.

Start or repair cool-season lawns
Overseed warm-season lawns with cool-season grass
Fertilize fescue lawns to promote root development without excessive top growth
Water newly planted lawns in low rain areas to keep them moist for seed germination
Clean up leaf litter to control slugs and snails by removing their hiding places.

Houseplants:
- Don't water until the soil feels dry
- Water thoroughly, let the water soak in
- Water again until water drains into the saucer
- Empty the saucer within an hour.
Watch for spider mites on your houseplants (they thrive in dry air)
- At the first sign of any insect infestation, isolate that plant.

Discourage winter weeds:
- Put a pre-emergent down
- Cultivate or mulch around bedding plants, shrubs and trees
Check house gutters for fallen leaves, needles, and twigs
- Heavy fall rains will quickly overflow clogged gutters, possibly damaging foundation plants below them.
Keep the compost heap moist to aid in the decay process
- Turn the pile to mix in additions
- Throw leaves, weeds, spent annuals and vegetables into the compost pile
- Add fertilizer residues from nearly empty bags onto the pile and mix
Keep your shears and loppers in good working order
- Wipe with a rag dipped in paint thinner to remove sticky resins
- Sharpen and oil thoroughly
Order seed catalogs now for garden planning in January
- Consider companies that specialize in old and rare varieties or wildflowers
Test your soil
- It's free this time of year, other than the postage
- Kits are available from the Mecklenburg County Extension Office, Amay James 2415 Lester Street