November Weather Statistics
Average
daily high: 62 degrees
Average daily low: 39 degrees
Average rainfall: 2.83 inches
• Plant new trees and shrubs in November so the roots will
have a chance to grow and better establish before spring.
Dig the planting hole no deeper than the root ball, but at
least twice as wide. Remove the plant from the pot and
loosen the root mass with a screwdriver, fingers or other
tool. Plants with the root ball wrapped in burlap should be
set in the hole with the burlap intact. After placing,
loosen the burlap and ties and pull back from around the
trunk. Plants in burlap or containers should be planted so
that the root ball is a few inches higher than the
surrounding soil to allow for settling. Backfill and water
the plants, tamping the soil lightly to ensure good
root-to-soil contact. Finish with a layer of mulch that is
two to four inches deep.
• Rejuvenate last year’s potted amaryllis by removing and
replacing the top inch of soil with fresh potting soil.
Trim away any withered leaves and resume watering. Place in
a sunny window. Amaryllis bulbs may not bloom if they are
in a pot that is too large. There should be no more than
one inch of space between each side of the bulb and the
pot. At least a third of the bulb should be above the soil
line.
• Those pretty fall leaves make fine mulch for natural
areas, but if left alone may smother young grass plants.
Keep them raked off the lawn area, but don’t throw them
away! Leaves make excellent compost. Shred the leaves to
speed the composting process. Contact the Cooperative
Extension Service for the how-to on making your own compost
pile. Call (336) 570-6740.
• Clean and service garden tools this month for winter
storage. Oil the blades of shovels and other tools to keep
them from rusting. Drain gas tanks of garden equipment to
prevent water buildup.
• Perennial weeds such as wild onion and garlic can be
treated this month. When temperatures are above 50 degrees,
apply a broadleaf weed killer. Add a tiny bit of dish soap
to the mix to help the herbicide stick to those slippery,
skinny leaves.
• Remove spent plants and debris from the vegetable garden
to help prevent the spread of diseases. Cut and remove
asparagus ferns. Add a layer of shredded leaves or compost
to the soil to guard against erosion from harsh winter
weather.
• Keep leaves raked from lawn areas. Compost collected
leaves or use as mulch in natural areas as an alternative
to buying other mulch materials. Mow over seeded ryegrass
lawns to a height of 1 to 2-1/2 inches.
• Put packets of unused seed inside screw-top glass jars.
Add a small tissue packet of powdered milk to the jar to
serve as a desiccant, soaking up moisture from the air
inside the jar that would otherwise get into the seeds and
reduce their longevity. Store the jar in the refrigerator.
• Clean up rose beds after leaf fall. Rake up and discard
old mulch and fallen leaves from the beds and replace with
a fresh layer of mulch. This may reduce next year’s disease
or insect problems.
• Treat perennial weeds, such as mock strawberry and wild
garlic, this month. Apply a broadleaf herbicide when
temperatures are above 50 degrees.
• Now is a great time to plant or transplant trees and
shrubs. Dig a planting hole no deeper than the plant’s root
ball, and about twice as wide. Remove containerized plants
from their pots, and loosen the roots with fingers, a
screwdriver, or other implement. Balled-and-burlap plants
should be set in the hole with burlap intact. After
placing, loosen the burlap and ties, and pull back from
around the trunk. Plant containerized or B-and-B plants so
that the root ball is a couple of inches higher than the
surrounding soil. Backfill, then tamp lightly to settle the
soil around the roots. Water thoroughly and follow with a 2
to 4-inch layer of mulch, keeping it away from the trunk.
Wait until spring to fertilize.
• Clean and service garden tools and equipment this month
for winter storage. Oil blades of shovels and other tools
to keep them from rusting. Drain gas tanks of garden
equipment to prevent water buildup.
• Start perennial seeds that need to be stratified.
Stratification is a survival mechanism that prevents seeds
from germinating in the fall when they can be killed by
harsh winter temperatures. Only after being exposed to
conditions that mimic winter can they overcome the seed’s
internal mechanism that inhibits it from germinating. Some
seeds that require stratification are those of amsonia, gas
plant, monkshood and turtlehead. Check the seed packet for
the length of cold exposure.
• Reduce botryis blight on peonies and powdery mildew on
bee balm and phlox by trimming away and disposing of old,
dead stems and leaves now.
• Continue planting spring-flowering bulbs this month.
Plant bulbs to a depth approximately four times that of the
bulb’s height. If the bulb is two inches high (as many
daffodils and tulips), plant eight inches deep (to bottom
of bulb). Remember to water well after planting.
• Continue planting spring-flowering bulbs this month.
Plant tulips, hyacinths, and jonquils 6 inches apart and 8
inches deep (to the bottom of the bulb). Crocus, anemones,
and grape hyacinths should be planted 2 inches apart and
4-5 inches deep.
• Set out forget-me-nots, pansies, snapdragons, violas,
sweet William, pinks, and other hardy plants for flowering
for winter and early spring. Add a time-released fertilizer
for better bloom.
• Remove spent plants and debris from vegetable garden to
help prevent the spread of diseases. Cut and remove
asparagus ferns. Add a layer of shredded leaves or compost
to the soil to guard against erosion from harsh winter
weather.
• A light mulch of shredded leaves or straw on carrots,
turnips, and other root vegetables will help protect
against freezing.
• Clean and service garden tools and equipment this month
for winter storage. Oil blades of shovels and other tools
to discourage rust. Drain gas tanks of garden equipment to
prevent water buildup in gas. Bring in rain gauge to avoid
freeze damage. Drain and store water hoses to extend their
lives.
• Keep leaves raked from lawn areas. Mow over-seeded rye
grass lawns to a height of 1 to 2 1/2 inches.
• Cut down on next year's problems with insects and disease
by removing old mulch from roses after leaf fall. Rake up
and replace with a fresh layer.
• Treat perennial weeds such as wild garlic and mock
strawberry this month. Apply a broadleaf herbicide when the
temperature is above 50 degrees.
• This is a good month to plant shrubs and trees. Dig a
planting hole no deeper than the plant's root ball and
about twice as wide. Plant so the root ball is a couple of
inches higher than the surrounding soil. Backfill, then
tamp lightly to settle the soil around the roots. Water
thoroughly and follow with a 2 to 4 inch layer of mulch,
keeping it away from the trunk. Wait until spring to
fertilize.
• Now is the time to force your amaryllis into flower.
Remove and replace the top inch of soil with a fresh
potting soil mix. Trim away any withered leaves and resume
watering. Place in a south-facing window. Amaryllis bulbs
may not bloom if they are in a pot that is too large. There
should be no more than 1 inch of space between each side of
the bulb and the pot. At least 1/3 of the bulb should be
above the soil line.
