Gardening Jobs for November

Things that I have to do:

*Make certain that climbing roses are securely attached to their supports.

*Use small stakes or markers where you've planted bulbs or late-starting plants in the perennial garden to avoid disturbing them when you begin spring soil preparation.

*Apply protective mulches on the perennial garden after the ground has frozen an inch or two.

*Bring garden furniture under cover if you have not already done so.

*Destroy breeding places for pests and disease.

*Work a trowelful of bonemeal into the soil around your rosebush, then hill up more soil around the base.

*Prune grapevines.

*It’s never too late to apply lime to your lawn, as long as snow doesn’t stop you from pushing the spreader. The minerals in lime retain their value until the grass is ready to grow again.

*Give all trees and shrubs plenty of water before the ground freezes.

*Check trees around your house for weak branches that should be removed by you now, rather than by snow and ice later."

From The Old Farmer's Almanac

Gardening Jobs for October That I still have to do...

*Clean, oil, and store lawn mowers.

*Paint any garden structures that need it. (small deck)

*Clean up and burn diseased plants, spread manure, and plow the garden.

*Rake up the fallen leaves and use them as mulch for flowers and shrubs. Hardwood leaves such as oak and chestnut contain more plant food than those from softwood trees.

*To balance all the harvesting, do a little indoor planting, which will liven up the house later. Calla lilies and begonias can be planted now, and paperwhite narcissi can be started.


from The Old Farmer's Almanac.